The 2020 State Qualifiers – An Honor

The 2020 State Qualifiers &#8211; An Honor

Ryan James July 20, 2020 @ 05:37 PM

As I continue to write the 2020-21 Breakdown Basketball book it hit me that a lot of the 2020 qualifiers not only missed their opportunity, they never even had their day in the sun to be honored state wide. So to these state qualifiers, congrats.

Blooming Prairie. This was BP’s first section title in 54 years! Fifty-Four Years! Man that town deserved a trip to state to celebrate their community, and the strong senior group that got them to the title.

Caledonia. A fourth section title in six seasons, Caledonia was the number one ranked team in the state when the season was cancelled.

Cambridge-Isanti. The Jackets earned a second straight state trip to state with Henry Abraham Henry Abraham 5'11" | PG Cambridge | 2020 State MN leading the way.

Cretin-Derham Hall. Third trip to state in the last four years and the 5th time in the last ten seasons for the Raiders.

Delano. The Tigers earned a state title for the first time ever two years ago and they earned a trip back two years later.

DeLaSalle. The last time the Islanders didn’t win a section title was 2011. Think about that for a second. And in that span only once didn’t they win the state title.

Eden Prairie. A 28-0 team and one of the best teams we have seen in a long time. They didn’t get a chance to go 32-0 but their quality of wins over the year rank with any champ.

Henning. Henning lost two games in two years. They were going for a second straight state title. They’ve played some of the best team basketball we have seen.

Hopkins. The Royals did not get a chance to defend their state title which would of been fun but they did earn another section crown.

Jackson County Central. The Huskies earned a third trip to state in the last five seasons with Rudy Voss Rudy Voss 6'3" | SG Jackson County Central | 2020 State MN being one of the state’s top scorers.

Marshall. Although they are in a tough section, Marshall earned five section titles over the decade.

Maple Grove. The Crimson streak of state appearance is now five in a row. Best streak in Class AAAA state wise.

Minnehaha Academy. The Redhawks were working towards a 4th straight state title and although they didn’t get the chance to play for it, they were the favorite to earn it.

Princeton. The Tigers lost so much from the year before I picked them 4th in their own section! But yet somehow the come back and lose even less games a year later.

Richfield. The turnaround story of the year, or the improvement story of the year, or whatever story of the year Richfield earned their first section title in 14 seasons.

St. Cloud Apollo. As good as Apollo has been as a program this was only their third section title ever. So yes that was a really nice accomplishment.

Southwest Minnesota Christian. There is a part of me that wanted to know if this undefeated team was this year’s version of Henning. Undefeated at 29-0.

Section Games That Didn’t Happen

Lakeville South vs Rochester Mayo

Lakeville North vs Eastview

Park Center vs Spring Lake Park

Austin vs Albert Lea

Waseca vs MN Valley Lutheran

Concordia Academy vs Cristo Rey Jesuit

Minneapolis North vs Blake

Melrose vs Mora

Esko vs Pierz

Perham vs Fergus Falls

Springfield vs New Ulm Cathedral