Section 3AAAA Preview

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.‌ ‌ Here’s a look at Section 3AAAA Favorite: Eastview The Lightning are one of the five or so best teams in the state and have the component pieces to legitimately win a state title. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/steven-crowl/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/steven-crowl/">Steven Crowl</a></a> is having a monster year inside, averaging nearly 27 points per game. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-thissen/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-thissen/">Ryan Thissen</a></a> is a utility wing who can score from all over the floor, rebound, defend and make plays. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tate-machacek/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tate-machacek/">Tate Machacek</a></a> is one of the best glue guys in the state who hasn’t put up great numbers, but impacts winning as well as anybody and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaylen-james/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaylen-james/">Jaylen James</a></a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-purcell/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-purcell/">Jackson Purcell</a></a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zach-spann/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zach-spann/">Zach Spann</a></a> and Caden Scales round out a really solid rotation. Eastview won the section last year and while its better with Lakeville North coming in, the Lightning have the most talent and experience. Contender: Lakeville North The Panthers have engineered a successful rebuild, turning over their entire roster from a year ago to the tune of 15 wins. The formula for success has mostly stayed the same in that the Panthers are going to win with a high level of defensive execution and efficiency on offense. Senior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-kamara/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-kamara/">Josh Kamara</a></a> has taken on a lead role and delivered a solid year. Junior forward Will Blascziek has been a breakout star, averaging 14 points per game. And the Panthers have a solid cache of complementary two-way players including <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/noah-frechette/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/noah-frechette/">Noah Frechette</a></a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carter-patterson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carter-patterson/">Carter Patterson</a></a>, Nelson Koshiol and Cooper Laufenburger. The Panthers don’t have an abundance of high-end talent that they’ve had in recent years, but you generally know what you are going to get from this team - stifling defense, toughness and a team that won’t beat itself. In The Mix: Hastings, Eagan, Rosemount Hastings won 17 games in the regular season but is the No. 7 seed in the section, so the Raiders will face Lakeville North in the first round. The Raiders didn’t fare too well in non conference games this year - undoubtedly the factor in their seeding - but they’ve got the firepower to make a game interesting. Senior guard Devon Haraldson is a solid bucket-getter and senior forwards <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/colby-zak/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/colby-zak/">Colby Zak</a></a> and Trey Swanson give the team a pair of athletic forwards who can produce efficiently too. Eagan went 9-17 including 4-9 in games decided by single-digits. The Wildcats are experienced with a number of multi-year varsity pieces. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kurt-ohlhues/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kurt-ohlhues/">Kurt Ohlhues</a></a> is having a strong senior year, averaging 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. He’s one of the best players in the section and can impact the game on both ends of the floor. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/finn-omalley/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/finn-omalley/">Finn O’Malley</a></a> is a steady senior guard who has played extremely well in recent weeks, averaging 12.4 points per game over the last 10 games. Freshman guard Emmanuel Schmitter has been one of the best underclassmen in Class AAAA, averaging better than 10 points per game. Rosemount quietly improved its record by six wins, going 10-15 in the regular season. The Irish have a solid cache of sophomore and junior talent. Sophomore guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-siwek/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-siwek/">Caleb Siwek</a></a> leads the team in scoring at nearly 20 points per game. Noah Loehr is a junior forward who can do a little bit of everything. He’s a skilled shooter, strong finisher, capable of making plays for his teammates and brings a physicality to the defensive end of the floor. Sean Sullivan is a solid lead guard who gets after you on the defensive end of the floor and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zach-wenthe/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zach-wenthe/">Zach Wenthe</a></a> can score inside and rebound his area.