Section 5A: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the Nevis section. Why? Because they have been to state the last five straight seasons. Will they make it six in a row?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Summer Summary</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to outstanding runs in Minnesota High School Basketball, Nevis is on a special stretch.&nbsp; They've won their section the last five seasons and they've earned a spot in the state tournament in seven of the last ten seasons.&nbsp; Can it happen again? Will they make it six straight?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers lose four of their top six guys from last year so there could be an opening for others.&nbsp; That said, Class A All State player [player_tooltip player_id='2103319' first='Alex' last='Lester'] and point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2109862' first='Devan' last='Lindow'] both return as does key reserve AJ Bessler.&nbsp; Who from the West could maybe upset Nevis?&nbsp; Bertha-Hewitt and Browerville each have a few starters back plus Walker-Hackensack-Akeley was a .500 last year and they return just about everything.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to the East, naturally East Central is a team that keeps taking steps.&nbsp; They won eight games three years ago, 17 games two years ago, and last year it was 22 wins.&nbsp; Replacing Jacob Dixon will be tough but the Eagles have another big in [player_tooltip player_id='2432826' first='Benjamin' last='Carlin'] who is ready for an even bigger role.&nbsp; They also have two guard starters back and four of their top six returning overall. Upsala was right there with East Central before losing in the sub-section final, with [player_tooltip player_id='2449397' first='Jack' last='Primus'] back they will be in a good spot again.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The up and comer is Braham.&nbsp; They lose only one guy from their rotation and they have a junior class that last year was the key factor in the Bombers winning 19 games.&nbsp; They might be in position to take another step towards East Central and Upsala.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top 3 5A Players</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2369272' first='Tyler' last='Eklund'] of Braham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2103319' first='Alex' last='Lester'] of Nevis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2449397' first='Jack' last='Primus'] of Upsala</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Teams That Should Improve Their Record</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (14-14)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braham (19-9)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bertha-Hewitt (14-13)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Teams That Might Not Match Last Year's Win Total</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Browerville (20-9)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Upsala (22-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pact (11-17)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->