Three Up, Three Down: Class AAA
Who is rolling early in Class AAA? Who is off to a tougher start than expected in Class AAA? It’s Three Up, Three Down. Three Up New Ulm (5-0). It’s been a steady progression but I am now ready…
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Continue ReadingWho is rolling early in Class AAA? Who is off to a tougher start than expected in Class AAA? It’s Three Up, Three Down.
Three Up
New Ulm (5-0). It’s been a steady progression but I am now ready to say, this team might be for real! The win over NYA was solid but expected. Beating Fairmont by four in game two? A bit of a surprise but doable. Then another close win, they beat Worthington. A double figure win over Blue Earth! Then a win over a really good Class AA team in Redwood Valley! An excellent start for a team that had played youth the last couple years and is now being rewarded.
Simley (4-1). The Spartans are coming off a tough loss to Burnsville but I never expected them to beat Minneapolis Southwest or St. Paul Central nor did I expect them to blowout the St. Paul teams in the way they did. The Spartans were thought to be RJ Jioklow and some other guys but seniors Devin Robinson and Kevin Wormer have stepped up and played their roles well while junior Kayden Reid and sophomore Deoviez Williams have really played well.
Two Rivers (5-1). I was deciding between one loss North Branch and Two Rivers for this last spot and then I noticed that Two River beat North Branch we have to talk Warriors. Like New Ulm, Two Rivers is a team that has been playing some young guys and they are seeing that time committed be rewarded. Beating local rival St. Croix Lutheran in the opener, beating a veteran North Branch team, knocking off Holy Angels, it’s all great for their program. Sophomores Max Mogelson Max Mogelson 6'3" | SF Two Rivers | 2024 MN (a 6’4 big) and Jaden Morgan Jaden Morgan 6'4" | SG DeLaSalle | 2024 State MN (a 6’3 wing) are leading the way.
Three Down
Austin (2-3). Putting the Packers here is a bit unfair as they have a lot of new guys playing and their losses are to top 5 Alexandria, Big Nine favorite Owatonna, and a bit of an upset in losing to Century. But I also might be throwing them here to show everybody I’m not biased to the school I went to! The surprise was Alex doubling up the Packers 34-68. But by the time we get to the Rochester Hoops Challenge when the Packers face South St Paul I think this team will be ready.
Monitcello (2-4). The Magic needs to find a potion to stop giving up 80 points a game. Orono, Buffalo, Osseo, these are good teams but they all scored 90+ plus against the Magic. The wins over Fridley and STMA are quality and the schedule coming up isn’t as daunting, but the Magic have the third worst scoring defense in Class AAA and the teams near them on the list aren’t good company.
Delano (2-5). Because the Tigers surprised us a bit last year winning 13 of 20 games despite a new line-up and because they are a traditionally good program, I never expected them at 2-5. Delano returned three starters from last year’s good team so losing to St. Thomas by 16 and some of these other double figure losses have surprised me. That said, I’ll bet you they are .500 in three weeks.