Section 4AA –Can Somebody Stop Minnehaha from Returning to State?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Minnehaha Academy.  The defending state champs bring back four starters and their bench!  Its not often a state champ returns to defend their title with all their pieces but the Hawks will do just that. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Concordia Academy. The Beacons won 17 games last season and they return all but one player from last year's rotation.  Concordia Academy has the potential to be a top ten team next year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Paul Academy.  The [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] lost their top two players including one of their best players ever in Ezra Cunningham, but they do return just about everything else from a 20 win team.  [player_tooltip player_id='3580359' first='John' last='Grimsrud'] will lead the way. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Croix Prep.  A 16 win team from a season ago that returns their top scorer in [player_tooltip player_id='2708051' first='Ali' last='Akram'] and two other starters. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>New Life Academy.  A .500 team from last year that returns all of their players from a season ago and should improve. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Croix Lutheran.  A mostly senior group had a strong season last year winning 19 games.  The Crusaders have their top scorer back in [player_tooltip player_id='3580328' first='Noah' last='Little'], but the rest of the rotation graduated. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St,. Paul Humboldt.  The Hawks lost their coach to South St. Paul, they lost their top player and a few others to graduation, and they lost a 15ppg scorer to transfer.  There is a reset at Humboldt. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mounds Park Academy.  The Panthers were a ten win team last season and they return four of their top five guys from last year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Math &amp; Science Academy.  The Dragons return their top players and have a chance to win double figure games. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Paul Washington. The Eagles won nine games last year and they return three starters.  </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nova Classical.  The Knights have three of their top five scorers back although their top scorer Caleb Taylor graduated.  </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Agnes.  The Aggies were 9-18 last year and return their best players, they do still need a new coach though. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Twin Cities Academy.  With Jake Stiele and his 28.4 points per game gone, getting 14 wins a game again will be tough but there are returning pieces. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Paul Harding.  The Knights were a four win team last year but they return the top pieces so they should improve. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Higher Ground Academy.  HGA had an excellent year winning 22 games but all the key pieces were seniors that have graduated so they are starting over some. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lakes International. They won nine games last season and they struggled against section teams.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hmong College Prep Academy.  They were a ten game team last season but just one against section opponents. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>High School for the Recording Arts.  They played just nine games last year and lost all nine.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>All Section</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2436914' first='Kellen' last='Troup'] of Minnehaha Academy (sr).&nbsp; Scored 20 points a game last year for the state champs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2416947' first='Ayden' last='Green'] of Minnehaha Academy (sr).&nbsp; The lead guard of the state champs averaged 17.3 points a game and led his team in assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2419994' first='Carter' last='Cupito'] of Minnehaha Academy (fr).&nbsp; The two sport young superstar scored 12.4 points a game as an 8th grader and now he's entering high school as a high school hoops veteran.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2916849' first='Mekhi' last='Abner'] of Minneheha Academy (soph). Abner scored ten points a game last year and the frontcourt worker will be even better this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2569252' first='Langston' last='Huffman'] of Concordia Academy (sr).&nbsp; The six foot guard led the Beacons in scoring 22.3 points per game last year and returns as a top ppg shooter in the metro.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Second Team</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3580359' first='John' last='Grimsrud'] of St. Paul Academy (sr).&nbsp; A 6'1 wing that averaged 15.4 points and eight rebounds a game last year shooting 35 percent from the arc. Ready to step in and lead.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2569255' first='Logan' last='Duis'] of Concordia Academy (sr).&nbsp; The 6'4 shooting forward scored 14.7 points per game last season and is a specialist that stretches the floor for a talented senior group</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2837250' first='Zeid' last='Ndiaye'] of Concordia Academy (jr).&nbsp; The 6'8 big has taken a nice step forward this 16u season and should be the big man rebounder, finisher, and shot contestor that makes CA a well rounded team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2569234' first='Dejon' last='Scott Jr'] of Concordia Academy (sr).&nbsp; An explosive scoring threat that put up 15 points a game last year and has the potential for a big senior season.&nbsp; The potential is there for a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3580328' first='Noah' last='Little'] of St. Croix Lutheran (sr).&nbsp; Little scored just under 14 points a game last season as a playmaker with pose.&nbsp; Little is a 5'11 senior guard that will need to guide a new rotation.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Third Team</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2418775' first='Fadil' last='Alabi'] of St. Paul Humboldt (sr).&nbsp; A two time all conference player that scored 15.6 points per game last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140673' first='Omar' last='Said'] of Mounds Park Academy (sr).&nbsp; Omar scored 19 points a game last season for a ten win team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2708051' first='Ali' last='Akram'] of St. Croix Prep (sr).&nbsp; Akram, a six foot playmaker, scored 15 points a game last season and also led his team in assists last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2843364' first='Kamar' last='Sandifer-Howze'] of Minnehaha Academy (jr).&nbsp; I really liked what Kamar brought the team as a worker off the bench during the state run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evan Seaton of New Life Academy (sr).&nbsp; Evan scored 18 points a game last year and is looking to be a 20ppg player this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fourth Team</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2431115' first='Magarsaa' last='Mullataa'] of St. Paul Academy (jr).&nbsp; A sophomore that averaged nine points a game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Masen Thao of Minnehaha Academy (jr).&nbsp; Playmaking ball handler off the bench for the Hawks last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2962770' first='Jacob' last='Balami'] of Math &amp; Science Academy (sr). Balami scored 15 points a game last year and returns to help the Dragons get back to double figure wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2434160' first='Henry' last='Canfield'] of St. Croix Prep (jr).&nbsp; Henry scored 12.7 points a game last year and will move into the second option spot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2846654' first='Judah' last='Shepp'] of Concordia Academy (sr). Shepp scored nine points a game and is the 6'4 other post for the team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fifth Team</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2827951' first='John' last='Norring'] of Concordia Academy (sr).&nbsp; Norring averaged 15 points per game a year ago.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2797552' first='Palmer' last='Olson'] of St. Paul Academy (jr).&nbsp; Palmer scored six points a game last season and should move into a full time starter role.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3591524' first='Keith' last='Whitlow'] of St. Paul Humboldt (sr).&nbsp; Keith scored six points a game last year and is a key returning player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2429742' first='Collin' last='Michaelis'] of New Life Academy (soph).&nbsp; Collin scored eight points per game as a freshman in 25-26.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2569265' first='Noah' last='Rieger'] of St. Paul Washington (sr).&nbsp; Noah scored 18 points per game last year for a nine win team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jamarrion Atkins of Twin Cities Academy (sr).&nbsp; Atikins was the second leading scorer on his team last season at 10ppg.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett Davis of St. Agnes (sr).&nbsp; A 6'3 wing that scored 16 points a game last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>4AA Section Summary</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnehaha Academy just won their sixth state title in the last 14 seasons and they have been to state the last ten straight seasons.&nbsp; In addition, they return all but one player from their line-up and they have a really nice group of underclassmen contributors.&nbsp; They will be the favorite to repeat as champs with top contenders being Minneapolis North, Pequot Lakes and Goodhue. But can somebody from this section pull the upset and knock off the Redhawks?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is one candidate and one candidate alone and that is Concordia Academy.&nbsp; The Beacons won 17 games and bring back just about all of their players plus they have a playmaker, a couple athletes, shooters, and size&nbsp; They have the pieces to compete.&nbsp; The chances that CA could beat MA aren't great but CA does look like a top ten area team.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->