What Minnesota Teams have the best chance to return to state?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get our minds fully ready for the 2026-27 season, one topic that has come to mind is.... who has the best chance to return to state?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is not something you can really rank because I think there are some guarantees and it's tough to rank one guarantee over another in this way. So we are going to use categories. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note: I am going to do a separate one for Class A after I done with all of their previews as there is much more research needed there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Guarantee it!</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnehaha Academy. They won state for the 6th time since I have been a reporter and they have been to state ten straight seasons. With four starters and all reserves returning, they are a team you just list and move on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pequot Lakes. With so much size, with so much talent, with so much depth, and other teams losing more of their rotation they did, I would be shocked if the Patriots didn't make a sixth straight trip. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeLaSalle. The Islanders have been to state every year since 2012. Until somebody finally upsets them, they are a penciled in team. And they have the talent to keep doing it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Totino-Grace. The Eagles are the favorite to win state again, and they are just so so much more talented than everybody else in the section, it's hard not to guarantee it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Very Strong Chance to Return</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Albany. I wouldn't say its a guarantee but when you look at the good teams in the section, Albany has more talent back than any of them. I would expect them to be at state for a fifth straight year based on all the teams in the group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tartan. The Titans return a lot of talent and will be a strong favorite. East Ridge will be good but short star power, and CDH was just hit by a tough play with Schlagel getting hurt. Tartan is no guarantee to return, but they are a good bet to return to state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maple Grove. The Crimson will be a step ahead of the other 5AAAA teams in talent, size, and experience, and the chances are very good they return to state. Its not a guarantee, Champlin Park will be a talented team, Mounds View will be solid, and Osseo will be in the mix, but MG is the big favorite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Definitely</strong> <strong>Could Return</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodhue. Goodhue has as good of a chance as anybody in their section, and they are the favorite, but they have a ton of contenders to battle through like Caledonia, Cannon Falls, Rushford-Peterson, and others. Their road to a return is tougher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minneapolis South. The Tigers have a nice group of returning players and they are surely the 3AA favorite. Highland Park seems like the top challenger but South has the players to make a return to trip to state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richfield. The [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] return threes starters and three reserves plus they have up and coming players. Orono will be a strong contender so there will be battles, but Richfield is still the favorite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaska. The Hawks are the preseason number one team in the state and rightfully so. But their section is tough with Prior Lake, EP, Tonka, and maybe Shako if they can find that chemistry. Chaska has a tougher road to go through then some of the smaller class returning top teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apple Valley. The Eagles have the most talent back but they have key players to replace and less change than Eagan or Rosemount who also lose key pieces. The Eagles are the favorite but there are contenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Toss Up</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perham. The Yellowjackets could certainly make a return but there are a number of contenders in what will again be a pretty balanced group (more on this section tomorrow!) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northfield. I think the Raiders have as good of a chance as anybody to get to state. Stewartville likely has the most talent and the best chance, but overall it's an open race and only two or three teams in the section really have the talent for a run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mankato East. The Cougars have been a regular at state but they don't quite the same star power and several teams in this section are improving in talent and will be much better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Rapids. The Hawks have the talent to return, but Denfeld could make it two times in three years and Hibbing has a chance to get to state as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sartell. The Sabers just made it to the Sweet 16 final this weekend but they also lost to Apollo in the title game. This could be a wide open section with Sartell, Tech, Apollo, and Fergus Falls all having a chance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeville South. I feel like 1AAAA is always a toss up and that should be the case this year. Farmington seems like they have the edge going in but South, North and Owatonna all seem to have a chance, and maybe Mayo as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wayzata. Never count out the [program_tooltip program_id='2075965' first='Trojans' last='']. Especially with two D2 committed guards as the main playmakers. But Buffalo and Hopkins look to be more talented coming into the season and more experienced. But I warn you, don't overlook the [program_tooltip program_id='2075965' first='Trojans' last='']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blaine. The Bengals are the favorite headed into the season but Anoka is going to be a tough contender and Andover is always a competitive team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexandria. This section might be a super toss up. The Cards lost a lot but they have up and coming players that will keep them in the race with Moorhead and Monticello. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>It's Going to be Quite Tough</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson County Central. I believe JCC lost far too many special pieces for them to replace, and Montevideo and Morris Area have a lot more back, plus Luverne is a sleeper. JCC just has too much to replace whereas Montevideo can think title run this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blake. The Bears have a new coach, a new administration and a lot of new players while Minneapolis North just added seven quality transfers to their new staff and look like a title contender. Anybody thinking repeat has to give the program time, but it is Blake so who knows what people are thinking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waseca. There are no more Russell brothers to lean on right now, and the Jays lost so much of their line-up. This is going to be a bit of a rebuild-up without a go to 30ppg guy and so many players graduated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->