2022-23 Class AA Basketball: Above Expectations
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What teams are playing above expectations this year and why? And who is a player getting them there? We dive into that now! Waseca (20-6). Sophomore Damarius Russell Damarius Russell 5'11" | PG Waseca | 2025 State MN is scoring…
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Continue ReadingWhat teams are playing above expectations this year and why? And who is a player getting them there? We dive into that now!
Waseca (20-6). Sophomore Damarius Russell Damarius Russell 5'11" | PG Waseca | 2025 State MN is scoring 21 points a game and has the Jays back in a section wining potential spot two years after their last run and a lot quicker than many expected. Fellow sophomore Carson Ohnsted is averaging 13 points a game.
Belle Plaine (17-5). We got another young player leading a top Class AA team and this one is 6’3 freshman Ethan Martin Ethan Martin 6'4" | SF Belle Plaine | 2026 State MN forward who is scoring 14 points a game. Martin is surrounded by seniors that are playing well (Andrew Siegle, Ryan Retzer, Emmett Geres).
Minnesota Valley Lutheran (22-3). Scoring 76 points and only three losses all season. MVL won their 17th straight last night and their top player Ben Pearson led the Chargers with 24 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Maybe the biggest surprise in Class AA is MVL.
Eden Valley-Watkins (20-5). This outstanding class of juniors has pushed to a great season about one year ahead of schedule. Noah Stommes Noah Stommes 6'8" | C Eden Valley-Watkins | 2024 State MN is 6’8 and averaging a double-double again, plus this team is very athletic with Parker Schultz and Nolan Geislinger Nolan Geislinger 6'0" | PG Eden Valley-Watkins | 2024 MN .
Windom Area (17-9). The highest scoring team in the state is the high flying Eagles. I have not watched them play but it does not take a genius to understand they play fast and launch shots fast (their average score is 91-82 each night!). Senior guard combo Henry Erickson Henry Erickson 6'0" | PG Windom | 2023 MN and Abe McKibbin lead the way with those big numbers.
St. Paul Academy (16-7). Another group of juniors that are playing ahead of the schedule that others had for them but they see it differently. Ethan Carter Ethan Carter 6'2" | PG St. Paul Academy | 2024 State MN , Tysen Hayes Tysen Hayes 6'7" | PF St. Paul Academy | 2024 State MN and Mikkel Rawdon have combined to score 54 points a game this season. Carter is the attack guard, Hayes has touch all over and Rawdon combines it all.
Dassel-Cokato (17-8). This is a balanced team playing far better than expected, and maybe way better than anybody ever expected. Junior Gabe Aamont leads the way followed by 5-6 others they can count on for 2-3 buckets a contest. Good depth.
Milaca (18-5). Peyton Hunt Peyton Hunt 6'2" | SG Milaca | 2023 State MN and Lewis Wolbert Lewis Wolbert 5'11" Milaca | 2023 MN , a senior guard combination that teams are having a ton of trouble dealing with. Wolbert is scoring 23.6 points a game while Hunt is averaging 18 a night.