08-09 Section 4A Preview

The 08-09 Conference and Section Preview series moves into part 2 as we start our look at the 11 metro area sections. To start, a look at section 4A. Due to the flux of teams in this section, I'll only evaluate the 19 teams that played in last year's tournament. If you missed any of the previews, you can find links to all of them on the Section & Conference Previews page.

Defending Champion: Minnesota Transitions

West Subsection Predicted Seeding: (MCA is the defending champion)

1. Maranatha
2. SW Christian
3. Meadow Creek Christian
4. PACT
5. West Lutheran
6. Heritage
7. Spectrum
8. Bethany
9. Ascension

Since I picked MCA to win the MCAA, I have to take them to win the subsection. SW Christian is a major threat here with Caleb Palkert and has just as good a chance to get through. Meadow Creek is dangerous with their returnees. PACT continues to build a respectable program. The rest of the teams have major losses, had tough seasons last year, or both.

East Subsection Predicted Seeding: (MTS is the defending champion)

1. Minnesota Transitions
   
2. CHOF
   
3. St. Agnes
   
4. New Life
   
5. Four Directions
   
6. Concordia-Bloomington
7. Hmong Academy
   
8. Community of Peace
   
9. Agriculture and Food Sciences Academy
   
10. Vessey Leadership Academy
    

In the east I don't see any changes. The bottom 5 teams will really struggle. Four Directions has one of the top scorers in the metro in guard Cory Oquist, but they aren't a threat to win the subsection. MTS is the clear favorite with the Noreens, especially since CHOF doesn't have a good matchup for Kevin Noreen. Nate Fiscus inside is too much for the rest of the teams in the subsection. St. Agnes will be battle tested in the Tri-Metro which always serves them well come tournament time. New Life's traditionally strong program and returnee Robbie Anderstrom can't be ignored either.

The subsection finals should go according to seed and be nice rematches of regular season games. Potentially a 3rd meeting of MCA and SW Christian in the west (assuming they play in the MCAA Tournament title game) and a rematch of one of the better small school rivalries in the metro, CHOF vs MTS in the east.

Section Winner: Minnesota Transitions. The Wolves are the clear favorite as they have the top player in the section in Kevin Noreen. A rematch of the regular season game with SW Christian would be the most exciting section final.