08-09 Metro AAA section previews

This is part 2 in my series previewing and predicting the metro sections. If you missed part 1 on section 4A and 4AA, you can read that here. In part 2, a look at sections 3AAA, 4AAA and 6AAA.

Section 3AAA
Quarterfinals: 3/11 (High Seed)
Semifinals: 3/17 at Blaine
Section Championship: 3/20 at Blaine

Team to beat: Spring Lake Park
Contenders: Columbia Heights, Minneapolis Henry

Predictions:
Quarterfinals: Spring Lake Park, Minneapolis Henry, Fridley, Columbia Heights
Semifinals: Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights
Section champion: Columbia Heights

Section Thoughts: Minneapolis Henry lurks here but they haven't played well since Jordan Hughes returned so I can't pick them over Spring Lake Park in the semis as much as I'd like to. Columbia Heights is the pick since they beat Fridley twice and won the last meeting with Spring Lake Park. Not to mention I'm not a fan of how Spring Lake Park has played in big games. They revolve too much around Shaun Jensen which I think hurts them and they get nothing in the post which is nice for Columbia Heights. Beware of that Fridley vs St. Anthony game in the 3 vs 6 matchup. When these teams met before Christmas, St. Anthony frustrated the heck out of Isaiah Thomas with a box and 1. I would almost guarantee you'll see this again.

Section 4AAA
Quarterfinals: 3/13 (High Seed)
Semifinals: 3/17 at St. Paul Central
Section Championship: 3/20 at St. Paul Central

Team to beat: Johnson
Contenders: Mahtomedi

Predictions:
Quarterfinals: Johnson, Hill-Murray, Arlington, Mahtomedi
Semifinals: Johnson, Mahtomedi
Section champion: Johnson

Section Thoughts: Hill-Murray started 8-3 before losing 13 of 15 to end the season. But they hammered Highland Park 74-42 on December 12 so I'm thinking this will be one of the least competitive 4 vs 5 games out there. Johnson is the hands down favorite to win the section. Arlington is more talented but Mahtomedi so that game could be interesting.

Section 6AAA
Quarterfinals: 3/11 (High Seed)
Semifinals: 3/14 at Concordia-St. Paul
Section Championship: 3/19 at Concordia-St. Paul

Team to beat: Washburn
Contenders: Waconia, DeLaSalle, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Delano

Predictions:
Quarterfinals: Washburn, Benilde-St. Margaret's, De La Salle, Holy Angels
Semifinals: Washburn, Holy Angels
Section champion: Washburn

Section Thoughts: A very difficult section here with controversy surronding the seedings. Holy Angels is playing way above their seed right now and they were beating Waconia by double-digits in the regular season meeting. De La Salle can't score, especially without AJ Barker. I think they survive Orono, but not AHA. Delano will come out determined to prove they earned a home game, but Benilde will be too much in one of the best 4 vs 5 games out there. Let's hope that De La Salle and Waconia don't meet in the 2nd round as watching that will be worse than having teeth pulled. 1st team to 30 points wins (if either gets that far).