Section 7AA – Is a decade of Pequot Lakes dominance coming?

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Section Predictions</h2>   <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li>Pequot Lakes. Going for a sixth straight trip to state, Pequot might be in their best position to win state in all of those seasons. Last year they finished third in state and now they are thinking championship. </li>   <li>Esko. Esko was just a game over .500 last year but the talent is there to be a potential top ten team and now they have the experience for it. </li>   <li>Pierz. The Pioneers lost their top player but return everything else from the rotation. They won 21 games last year and with most of the rotation abc they could hit 20+ again. </li>   <li>Mora. A team that lost four of their top guys, there are a decent amount of spots to fill to try and match last year's 19 wins. But should be a good team still. </li>   <li>Two Harbors. A pair of starters returning from a 17 win team, both were double figure scoring guys for a team that should win 17 again. </li>   <li>Pillager. With four of the top six guys back from a 17-win team the Huskies have a chance for a good season again, but they have to take a step forward vs section teams. </li>   <li>Moose Lake-Willow River. The Rebels should take a step forward this winter with a really nice senior backcourt and some up and coming juniors.</li>   <li>Greenway/Nashwauk-Kewatin. A 19 win team that graduated most of their top players including the size. Six of the eight man rotation graduated. </li>   <li>Aitkin. A team that won 20 games last season but lost their all area player of the year big Isaac Asmus. What is returning? Tough to know, not much information on them. </li>   <li>Crosby-Ironton. The Rangers fell to 11-16 last year and a 3-10 record against section teams. They also lost their top three scorers to graduation.</li>   <li>Proctor. A 10-win team from last year that defended well, unfortunately we have little information on them at the moment. </li>   <li>International Falls. The Broncos were a seven win team last season, they have a couple key players returning that should make them competitive. </li>   <li>Duluth Marshall. Marshall was a 5-22 team and they played a lot of seniors. This is a team in the rebuild area it appears. </li>   <li>Mesabi East. A one-win team last year that lost games by an average of 49 points. In the middle of a rebuild.</li> </ol>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">All Section</h2>   First Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2395557' first='Gus' last='McKenna'] of Pequot Lakes (Jr).  Gus is a player that has emerged as much as any player in the state.  Gus has size, skill inside and out, has went toe to toe with the best forwards his grade and out played all of them head to head, and is ready for even more.    [player_tooltip player_id='2560433' first='Braxdyn' last='Male'] of Esko (Jr).  Male had an outstanding last eight months of basketball.  The 6'2 shooting guard had a 20+ scorer as a sophomore and then was one of the best scorers in 16u basketball this year (with the Heat).    [player_tooltip player_id='2127213' first='Tollef' last='Birkeland'] of Pequot Lakes (Sr).  Birkeland has dealt with injuries throughout his career but he was the leading scorer on the team last season.  A big guard with skill and agility.    [player_tooltip player_id='3594077' first='Samuel' last='Afagwu'] of Pequot Lakes (Sr). A low post 6'6/6'7 strong player with a good base, good footwork and good hands. Double double threat.   [player_tooltip player_id='2128248' first='Rock' last='Holubar'] of Pequot Lake (Sr). Rock had a great 17u season that can play face up and back to the basket, consistent and tough. One of five guys that could score in double figures for PL next year.   Second Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2395830' first='Oliver' last='McKenna'] of Pequot Lakes (Jr).  At 6'9 with lift and agility, Oliver has a ton of upside.  Oliver has been hurt so he's under the radar but his ceiling is very high.    [player_tooltip player_id='2808569' first='Tyler' last='Kimman'] of Pierz (Sr).  A 5'11 guard that is the top returning scorer and playmaker for Pierz with Cekalla graduated.    Jude Houglum of Mora (Jr).  One of the toughest players to stop from attacking in the section, Jude went from part time player to counted on starter, and now he should be the main figure.    Elliott Imdieke of Pillager (Sr).  A two time all league player, the 5'10 guard returns as the key playmaker.    [player_tooltip player_id='2814493' first='Jayden' last='Symiczek'] of Esko (Jr).  An athletic high IQ player that is a returning starter and a returning double figure scorer.    Third Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2843350' first='Ziggy' last='Hietala'] of Two Harbors (Jr).  A good sized junior at about 6'4 or 6'5 that scored 11 a game last season as a sophomore.    [player_tooltip player_id='2439275' first='Nicholas' last='Virnig'] of Pierz (Sr).  The 6'3 forward that was another double figure scorer and a key rebounder, Virnig was good for six buckets a contest.    [player_tooltip player_id='2808585' first='Aaron' last='Peterson'] of Pillager (Sr).  The 6'3 wing took a big step forward for Pillager last year as a dependable player.    Willam Broskovetz of Pequot Lakes (Sr).  A reserve last year but William had a really good worker season for the Comets and should make PL deeper.    [player_tooltip player_id='2437715' first='Brandon' last='Solinger'] of Pierz (Sr).  Another 6'3 returning double figure scorer for Pierz. Had a few double-doubles last season, a 22 point game, and a playoff game of 16 and 8.   Fourth Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2907274' first='Zeke' last='Gomez'] of Two Harbors (Soph).  A 5'10 freshman guard last year who scored seven a game and will move into a key playmaking role as a starting sophomore.    Ledger Johnson of Moose Lake-Willow River (Sr).  The 5'11 shooter was a top scoring option for the Rebels last year and will be this year.    [player_tooltip player_id='2907719' first='Weston' last='Davidson'] of Moose Lake-Willow River (Soph).  Weston earned his team last year playing as a frosh on varsity and now the 6'2 wing is ready for more.    Graham Balmer of Mora (Sr).  A six foot worker guard that returns as a starter for the Mustangs.    [player_tooltip player_id='3273951' first='Spencer' last='Tiessen'] of Greenway (Jr).  The top returning player from a line-up that last four senior starters/key players.    [player_tooltip player_id='2859354' first='Joby' last='Hubbard'] of Pillager (Jr).  Hubbard is a 6'4 frontcourt player that started in the post and should be a three year starter.    Nicholas Schultz of International Falls (Sr). A two time all league player for the Broncos.   Wyatt Stanton of Crosby-Ironton (Jr). Top returning scorer for the Rangers     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7AA Section Summary</h2>   Pequot Lakes appears like they might be on a DeLaSalle like run when it comes to the state tournament appearances.  They are looking for their sixth straight trip to state after finishing third in AA last year and they bring a ton of talent back.  In addition, the Patriots are a huge team size wise,, and they have a ton of good up and coming players as well.  It's a season of state title dreams if they can get a depth of guard play.    Are there not many contenders?  Esko has a really good junior class and a key scorer but they have to learn to consistently win first (and we think they will).. Mora, Two Harbors and Pillager all have a chance to take a step forward as well.  The team that should be the biggest challenger based on returning players and last year's record is Pierz.  They just need to replace their top scorer and if somebody steps up for that, the experienced depth should propel them into contending.