Section 7AAA Preview

The‌ ‌Playoffs‌ ‌are‌ ‌right‌ ‌around‌ ‌the‌ ‌corner.‌ ‌With‌ ‌small-school‌ ‌section‌ ‌tournaments‌ ‌set‌ ‌to‌ ‌begin‌ ‌in‌ ‌ the‌ ‌next‌ ‌few‌ ‌weeks,‌ ‌it’s‌ ‌time‌ ‌to‌ ‌turn‌ ‌our‌ ‌attention‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌postseason.‌ ‌ Section 7 has produced some high-quality teams in recent years and if you like offense, you’ll want to catch some of these games, as the top teams in the section all pump up points at a high rate. Here’s a look at Section 7AAA Favorite: Princeton The Tigers were supposed to be rebuilding. Last year was their year, when everything came together. Three 1,000 point scorers all hit at the same time, another stud transferred in and the team reached the state semifinals. It was supposed to be a down year for Princeton rebuilding with a new chunk of guys. Yet here they are at 22-4 on the season thanks to a high-powered offense. Senior forward Cody Miller has busted out in a big way, averaging 18 points and nine rebounds. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="721891" first="Tate" last="Laabs"] has been phenomenal running the show, averaging 12 points and nine assists. Sophomore forward Haydn Stay has enjoyed a breakout season, averaging 14 points and 6.0 rebounds and junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/manny-flicek/">[player_tooltip player_id="774900" first="Manny" last="Flicek"]</a> has been excellent as a secondary ballhandler and shot creator. Jake Bebeau and Kody Alickson are both productive as well. The Tigers play an up and down style of hoops. They are unselfish, they can shoot and they move the ball at a high rate. They want to play fast, which lends itself to higher scoring affairs for both teams, so their defense isn’t as bad as the numbers they allow. They are good enough to win multiple games in the state tournament, but they are going to have to beat at least two excellent teams just to get that far. Contender: Hibbing, Hermantown If there’s a team that can keep up with the Tigers in a track meet, it’s the Hibbing Bluejackets. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ayden-mcdonald/">[player_tooltip player_id="850731" first="Ayden" last="McDonald"]</a> is one of the best guards in the state and has put up video-game numbers this year, averaging 21.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 10.8 assists. He’s got two terrific shooters on the wings in Tre Holmes and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mayson-brown/">[player_tooltip player_id="774863" first="Mayson" last="Brown"]</a>, who combine to average 32 points per game and have knocked down 89 and 75 3-pointers. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/parker-maki/">[player_tooltip player_id="567088" first="Parker" last="Maki"]</a> missed some time in the middle of the year but is a potential double-double guy inside. And the Bluejackets have solid depth with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eli-erickson/">[player_tooltip player_id="774887" first="Eli" last="Erickson"]</a>, Hayden Verhel and Isaac Colbaugh all providing solid play. Hermantown has perhaps the best guard in the section in senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="721851" first="Peter" last="Soumis"]. He’s a 25-point-per-game guy who can shoot from the 3-point line, create his own shot in the mid-range, get to the paint and create shots for his teammates. He controls the game as well as any player in the section and can dominate a game like few other guys in the section. He gives Hermantown a high floor. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kaden-kucza/">[player_tooltip player_id="846228" first="Kaden" last="Kucza"]</a> has been a breakout guy on the wing as a senior, providing consistent secondary scoring. Kevin Thomas has been good too, averaging nearly 14 points per game and providing a physical presence all over the floor. The Hawks play a fast pace and have a number of athletes who can contribute, so watch out for this team. In The Mix: Grand Rapids Grand Rapids won 17 games in the regular season and it’s been a whole lot of senior big man [player_tooltip player_id="549346" first="John" last="Sutherland"]. The 6-foot-8 forward is one of the top scorers in the state, averaging nearly 32 points per game. He’s a true scoring machine who can step away from the rim and shoot, handle the ball, finish at a high level inside and get to the offensive glass. He’s terrific and gives the Thunderhawks a shot no matter who the opponent is.