Class AAA Bracket Busters

<p>With section playoffs for Class AAA getting underway, we take a look at the standout players on 3-seeds or lower who could lead their team on a deep run. </p> <p><strong>Section 1</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774764" first="Jace" last="Bigelow"] (6’3 2021 G, Kasson-Mantorville)- </strong>Kasson-Mantorville enters as a 5-seed led by [player_tooltip player_id="774764" first="Jace" last="Bigelow"] and his 17.6 ppg this season. K-M comes in battle tested after facing a number of tough teams in the regular season, and Jace has shown that he can put up big numbers when his team needs him. Already with over 1,000 career points, Bigelow combines a long frame at 6’3 with shooting touch and handles to form one of the more dangerous players in the section. If he gets going, Kasson-Mantorville has the chance to put together a solid run. </p> <p><strong>Section 2</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="721847" first="Wyatt" last="Olson"] (6’6 2020 F, St. Peter)- </strong>St. Peter is the 3-seed in Section 2, and they are led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="721847" first="Wyatt" last="Olson"]. The sturdy forward is a versatile player for St. Peter with his variety of post moves, ability to handle the ball, and knock down shots from outside. He rebounds in bunches and has takeover ability as evident by a 46 point performance earlier in the season. St. Peter starts off against Wilmar, before potentially taking on a tough Marshall squad in the next round. With Wyatt producing at a high level, they have a solid chance to advance.</p> <p><strong>Section 3</strong></p> <p><strong>Alonzo Dodd (6’2 2022 G, South St. Paul)- </strong>Section-3 is well balanced at the top, with a number of teams who have the potential to make a run. South St. Paul has put together a strong season, and they’re led by the best scoring talent in the section in Alonzo Dodd. Dodd puts up 25 with his aggressive style of play and ability to get to the free throw line at will. There’s plenty of talent around him, but this team is at it’s best when Alonzo is putting the ball in the basket. If he gets going, there’s no reason to believe that SSP can’t make a run at the section title.</p> <p><strong>Section 4</strong></p> <p><strong>Cal Greene (6’6 2021 W, Mahtomedi)- </strong>Playing for 5th seeded Mahtomedi, Cal Greene has shown flashes of high potential. With a first round matchup against a guard-heavy Columbia Heights, Cal’s mixture of length and explosiveness could prove to be a nightmare matchup. He’s averaging 13 points a game but has the ability to change the course of a game with momentum changing dunks and three pointers. Playing at his best he looks ready to throw his name in as one of the better 2021 wings in Minnesota, and he could help lead Mahtomedi to a first round win, before likely running into Minnehaha. </p> <p><strong>Section 5</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="846149" first="Wyatt" last="Schroeder"] (6’6 2020 F, St. Francis)- </strong>6-seed St. Francis takes on 3-seed Fridley in the first round, and [player_tooltip player_id="846149" first="Wyatt" last="Schroeder"] could be the difference maker as St. Francis looks to pull off the upset. Wyatt has a strong frame at 6’6, so he will likely be the biggest player on the floor for most of the game. Wyatt provides a strong defensive presence with his physical attributes, and does a good job of fighting for position on the block. The soft touch inside has him scoring 15 a game, and his team will go in with high confidence after a recent win over a tough Cambridge-Isanti squad.</p> <p><strong>Section 6</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="846144" first="Nick" last="Peterson"] (6’3 2020 G, Benilde-St. Margaret’s)- </strong>BSM enters as a 7-seed, but they’re led by [player_tooltip player_id="846144" first="Nick" last="Peterson"] who is as tough as they come. He’s averaging 16.6 ppg this year and does a little bit of everything as a senior leader. Though they don’t have a great record, [player_tooltip player_id="846144" first="Nick" last="Peterson"] can compete against anyone in the state, and there are some talented pieces around him. BSM will face off against Waconia in their playoff opener, and they lost by just 10 when those two teams met in the regular season, making this a winnable game for the 7-seed.</p> <p><strong>Section 7</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850731" first="Ayden" last="McDonald"] (6’3 2022 G, Hibbing)- </strong>Ayden is putting together arguably the most impressive stat-line of any sophomore in the state, putting up 21.6 points, 10.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds a contest for a talented and young team. Hibbing is a three seed in this section, but has the talent to beat anyone in it, including the 1-seeded Princeton, who they beat during the regular season. Ayden has a game best described as crafty, with an arsenal of scoring moves as well as elite passing vision that make him such a threat with the ball in his hands. If Ayden gets going, don’t be surprised if Hibbing makes a trip to state.</p> <p><strong>Section 8</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774753" first="Colton" last="Roderick"] (6’4 2021 G, Alexandria)- </strong>Alexandria is a 3-seed in section 8, and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/colton-roderick/">[player_tooltip player_id="774753" first="Colton" last="Roderick"]</a> looks ready to lead them to some playoff wins. The long guard is scoring 18.2 ppg this season, with highs of 29 and 27 (three times), as well as being a top rebounder and passer for his team. That versatility makes him a difficult matchup for any team he runs into during the playoffs. When Colton is at his best, Alexandria is going to be a tough team to beat.</p>