Class AAAA Bracket Busters

<p>With section playoffs getting into full steam this week, we take a look at one player in each section who has the ability to lead his team to a deep playoff run. Each player is on a 3-seed or lower, with the chance to lead his team to some upsets late in the bracket.</p> <p><strong>Section 1</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-dushek/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-dushek/">Evan Dushek</a></a> (6'7 2022 F, Owatonna)- </strong>Owatonna comes in as a 4 seed in their section headlined by Lakeville South and Rochester Mayo. While Owatonna is no perennial power, they have a stud in sophomore <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-dushek/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/evan-dushek/">Evan Dushek</a></a>. Evan is a physical forward who also has the versatility to step outside and knock down perimeter shots. That versatility has allowed him to average 20.4 ppg this season, including 37 earlier against the aforementioned Rochester Mayo. If he can catch fire down the stretch, Owatonna could produce some upsets. </p> <p><strong>Section 2</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dawson-garcia/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dawson-garcia/">Dawson Garcia</a></a> (6'11 2020 F, Prior Lake)- </strong>Once again, section 2 is the group of death in Class AAAA. In most cases, Prior Lake would be a 1-2 seed. Instead, they find themselves as the 4 seed. With McDonalds All American <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dawson-garcia/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dawson-garcia/">Dawson Garcia</a></a> paving the way, they have a chance to make some noise. Behind Garcia's 32 ppg, Prior Lake enters the playoffs on an 8 game win streak, including a win over 3 seeded Shakopee. Eden Prairie and Chaska both handed Prior Lake losses earlier in the season, but Garcia's size and guard-like ability keep them in contention against anyone they play. </p> <p><strong>Section 3</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daniel-rosenber/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daniel-rosenber/">Daniel Rosenber</a></a> (6'3 2020 W, Burnsville)- </strong>Outside of Eastview, there are a lot of teams that can make a run in Section 3. Though Burnsville enters as the 6 seed with an 8-18 record, they have a trio of players that can score in bunches. One of those players is senior wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daniel-rosenber/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daniel-rosenber/">Daniel Rosenber</a></a>, averaging 17.7 ppg. He is long, athletic, and has a deadly jumper off the bounce. Burnsville will have a first round matchup against Rosemount, who Rosenber recently scored 28 against in a 78-67 win. If he can repeat that performance, Burnsville has a good chance to advance.</p> <p><strong>Section 4</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shaheed-muhammad/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shaheed-muhammad/">Shaheed Muhammad</a></a> (5'11 2020 G, North St. Paul)- </strong>North St. Paul enters as a 4 seed with an 18-8 record, and a conference title under their belt. They are led by shifty guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shaheed-muhammad/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shaheed-muhammad/">Shaheed Muhammad</a></a>, who also happened to win conference POTY. They have a first round matchup against Tartan, who Shaheed led NSP to wins over behind games of 29 and 25 points. If they win, they'll likely face off against a long and talented East Ridge squad. Shaheed scored 37 against a Minnehaha squad with similar size earlier in the year, so he has no problem going in as an underdog. With such contrasting play-styles between the two teams, NSP has the potential to pull off an upset if Shaheed and co. get firing on all cylinders.</p> <p><strong>Section 5</strong></p> <p><strong>Josh Ola-Joseph (6'4 2022 W, Osseo)- </strong>Osseo is young but talented, and they enter as a 6 seed with a rematch against Champlin Park looming. Josh averages 13.6 ppg this season, but he has big game potential as evident by performances of 36 and 24 points. He's extremely long, bouncy, and aggressive attacking the basket. Osseo nearly defeated Champlin Park in the regular season, despite a below average performance from Josh. If he gets going at the right time, Osseo could pull off a first round win and potentially more.</p> <p><strong>Section 6 </strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/camden-heide/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/camden-heide/">Camden Heide</a></a> (6'6 2022 W, Wayzata)- </strong>Wayzata has to be in contention for the most talented 10-16 team in recent memory. Because of their poor start to the season, they enter as a 5 seed, with a rematch against Robbinsdale Armstrong awaiting. Heide is one of the most talented prospects in the state, though he has been inconsistent with his scoring performances. Heide is long, very explosive, can shoot the three, or finish inside. When he's hitting his shots, he is very dangerous. Despite a poor performance from him in their last matchup against Armstrong, Wayzata only lost by 5. If he gets going, they could be in for a run. </p> <p><strong>Section 7</strong></p> <p><strong>Isaiah Giles (6'6 2020 C, Blaine)- </strong>Blaine enters as a 5 seed with a 10-15 record, though they did have a 7-5 record in conference play. Isaiah Giles has been paving the way with 12.7 ppg, and his game seems to elevate against tougher opponents. As a strong-framed 6'6 center, Giles enters the playoffs as one of the biggest players in the section. With an arsenal of post moves and a nice baseline jumper, if he gets isolated in the post he can score in bunches for Blaine this March. Having only lost to the 1 seed Cambridge-Isanti by 8 earlier this season, Blaine has a chance to make a run in Section 7.</p> <p><strong>Section 8</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-willert/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-willert/">Matt Willert</a></a> (6'5 2020 G, Buffalo)- </strong>Buffalo has the talent to advance to state as a 3 seed in Section 8, and with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-willert/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-willert/">Matt Willert</a></a> paving the way, there's a solid chance that they make it happen. Willert is one of the best scorers in the state, with a long, wiry frame and a smooth stroke from deep. He enters the playoffs averaging 25.3 ppg, and with a season high of 53, he has shown that he can take over a game in an instant. With Buffalo getting <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tony-dahl/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tony-dahl/">Tony Dahl</a></a> back from injury, if Willert can string together a few big scoring games, Buffalo can compete for the section title.</p>