Section 7AA Preview

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments set to begin in the next few weeks, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Esko has dominated Section 7AA in recent years and while the Eskomos are strong again this year, they aren’t going to be the runaway heavy favorites in this section tournament. With nine teams already over the 15-win mark on the season, there’s bound to be a great deal of competition when the postseason rolls around. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s a look at Section 7AA</span></p> <p><strong>Favorite: Esko</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Eskomos won’t the runaway favorites in the section, but until someone beats them, or they prove to be completely out of the mix of contention, they are going to be the team to beat. The sustained excellence is impressive and this year’s been a great example of guys developing behind the scenes. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-spindler/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trevor-spindler/">Trevor Spindler</a></a>’s missed a ton of time with an injury. Peyton Wefel has taken his game to another level, averaging better than 20 points per game. And guys like Eli Blue and James LeGarde have emerged as legitimate difference-makers. Junior forward Riley Fischer is a solid piece as well. With the way they space the floor, shoot, get to the paint and move the ball, they can give anybody fits. And there's experience running through the program still with guys who know know how to win.  </span></p> <p><strong>Contenders: Moose Lake-Willow River, Virginia</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">MLWR came into this season with high expectations given its success a year ago plus the amount of talent returning to the lineup. It’s been an awesome season, as the Rebels have 20 wins and are tracking towards the top seed in the section. The junior duo of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-olson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-olson/">Mason Olson</a></a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brady-watrin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brady-watrin/">Brady Watrin</a></a> are excellent, combining to average nearly 40 points per game. Sophomore guard Phillip Sheetz has developed nicely and there’s a good mix of complementary guys up and down the roster. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There might not be a better trio in the section than the one Virgina can deploy. Senior swingman <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-bernard/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-bernard/">Jayden Bernard</a></a> has had a monster year on the wing, averaging 28 points and eight rebounds. He’s had some eye-popping scoring nights, but he’s not alone on this team. Senior center Kyle Williams averages a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. And junior guard Mason Carlson has emerged as a bigtime difference-maker, averaging 15.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists. The Blue Devils have the kind of high-end talent that can tip the scales especially in a section where the margins appear to be slim. </span></p> <p><strong>In The Mix: Greenway, Pequot Lakes</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Greenway’s looking at the No. 2 seed in SS2 of Section 7 and the Raiders are certainly talented enough to win the whole thing. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-dechampeau/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-dechampeau/">Dylan DeChampeau</a></a> is arguably the best individual player in the section and can stuff the stat sheet like few other players can. Freshman guard Grant Hansen has emerged as a really nice looking player and looks like the guy who’ll take over as the go-to guy post-DeChampeau. Senior guard Gordan Skaar has been around for a while and has been strong again this year, averaging around 14 points per game. This group has the firepower and experience to go on a run. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pequot Lakes has 18 wins on the season and has as much talent as anybody. They have excellent balance offensively, defend hard and can win in multiple ways. Junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bode-magnuson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bode-magnuson/">Bode Magnuson</a></a> has been a breakout guy, averaging better than 18 points per game. Korey Jackson joins him in the backcourt, creating an excellent pair. Junior forward Alex Morgan gives the Patriots a third viable go-to scorer up front. </span></p> <p><strong>Watch Out For: Crosby-Ironton, Duluth Marshall</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Rangers never seem to fall off and it doesn’t look like they’ll be falling off anytime soon. Crosby-Ironton has been solid this year though they’ll have to pull several upsets if they are going to make an extended run. They’ve got the talent to do so, as the sophomore duo of Carsen Turk and Jordan Oehrlein are among the best players in the section. Turk averages 16.5 points and 4.7 assists while Oehrlein averages 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Duluth Marshall has 15 wins on the year and looks like the distant third best team in SS2 of Section 7. Senior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/samuel-lohn/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/samuel-lohn/">Samuel Lohn</a></a> has taken his game to another level this year, averaging nearly 20 points per game. Senior forward Matthew Erickson has been steady inside, averaging better than 14 points per game. Oscar and Jasper Timm have been good and senior guard Santiago Gomez is a solid complementary piece. </span></p>