Section 6AAA Preview

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The‌ ‌Playoffs‌ ‌are‌ ‌right‌ ‌around‌ ‌the‌ ‌corner.‌ ‌With‌ ‌small-school‌ ‌section‌ ‌tournaments‌ ‌set‌ ‌to‌ ‌begin‌ ‌in‌ ‌</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">the‌ ‌next‌ ‌few‌ ‌weeks,‌ ‌it’s‌ ‌time‌ ‌to‌ ‌turn‌ ‌our‌ ‌attention‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌postseason.‌ ‌</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s a look at Section 6AAA</span></p> <p><strong>Favorite: DeLaSalle</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Islanders won the state title last year and while they don’t have the high-octane talent they’ve had in recent years, this team is elite following the same formula - defense, toughness and machine-like execution. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cade-haskins/">Cade Haskins</a> has broken out (again?) as a junior, averaging 16 points per game while providing elite shooting and terrific defense. His size allows him to defend up and down the lineup and he’s as good without the ball as anybody. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-travis/">Jalen Travis</a> is a load in the paint and can dominate games on the defensive end of the floor. The Islanders always have a solid collection of guards and this year is no different as <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/amir-whitlock/">Amir Whitlock</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keijuan-white/">Keijuan White</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/semaj-hart/">Semaj Hart</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/andrew-irvin/">Andrew Irvin</a> all have experience and get it done on both ends of the floor. The Islanders aren’t the most talented team in the state (they aren’t lacking in talent by any stretch though) - but nobody is going to out-tough them. That’s why they are still a legitimate title contender. </span></p> <p><strong>Contender: Waconia</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Wildcats are always solid and they’ve been one of the best teams in Class AAA this season. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/pj-hayes/">PJ Hayes</a> is closing a terrific high school career on a high note as he’s averaged better than 23 points per game despite being the guy every team is prioritizing stopping. He’s improved as a playmaker this season too, averaging better than four assists per game. Junior forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/spencer-swanston/">Spencer Swanson</a> has enjoyed a breakout campaign, averaging 15 points and 9.1 rebounds. Connor Schwob joins Swanson in the frontcourt, averaging 11.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. The Wildcats have 22 wins on the year and have the talent to make an extended run in the postseason. </span></p> <p><strong>In The Mix: Mound Westonka, Patrick Henry</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mound Westonka went into the year in the rankings and after a slow-ish start to the year, the White Hawks surged down the stretch with eight straight wins to close the regular season. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jameson-sexton/">Jameson Sexton</a> is one of the top guards in the section and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jason-spaeth/">Jason Spaeth</a> is a physical wing who can shoot from deep, get to the paint and defend. Otherwise it’s strength in numbers for this team, as nine guys play regular minutes and Connor Prok, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/logan-leonard/">Logan Leonard</a>, Jayden Heimermann and Santi Phommahaxay are all experienced, solid pieces. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minneapolis Patrick Henry has been streaky throughout the regular season, winning seven games in a row at one point while also losing seven out of 10 before the final week. The Patriots have solid senior guards in <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/glentrell-carter/">Glentrell Carter</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mark-campbell/">Mark Campbell</a> plus Jamar Gardner, forming a really solid trio on the perimeter. They don’t have great size, but it’s a veteran-laden team with upperclassmen who have been in some big games and done well. Can they hang with the elite teams in the state in a one-and-done setting? </span></p>