This is the 1st in a 3 part series of playoff previews. We'll start with section 4A and section 4AA.
Section 4A (at high seed unless noted)
Playin Games: 3/10
Round of 16: 3/12
Quarterfinals: 3/14
Sub-Section Finals: 3/17 at Heritage
Section Championship: 3/20 at Holy Angels
Team to beat: Minnesota Transitions
Contenders: SW Christian, Maranatha
Sub-section Predictions:
Playin Games: Math & Science over Liberty Classical, AFSA over St. Paul Prep, Bethany over Ascension, 4 Directions over International School
Round of 16: MN Transitions, CHOF, New Life, Spectrum, Maranatha, Heritage, PACT, SW Christian
Sub-section semifinals: MN Transitions, New Life, Maranatha, SW Christian
Sub-section champions: MN Transitions, SW Christian
Section champion: MN Transitions
Section Thoughts: There's MTS and then everybody else in this section. The only team with a remote chance of knocking them off is SW Christian with Caleb Palkert. But SW Christian will have to get past MCA and PACT. But this isn't your brother's MCA team. They may be 21-5, but they're nothing like the teams they've had in the past. If SW Christian can Palkert enough touches they can beat anybody in this section. MCA gets the other contender nomination as Jeff Wall is arguably the top coach in the section. CHOF has their hands full with St. Agnes in the east 4 vs 5 game despite a regular win over the Aggies as Cole Piepkorn played in that game and won't be available. The health of Nate Fiscus is also an issue. I like New Life's experience and Robbie Anderstrom to upset Spectrum (who frankly should be in the west sub-section).
Section 4AA (at high seed unless noted)
Playin Games: 3/9 and 3/10
Round of 16: 3/12
Quarterfinals: 3/14
Sub-Section Finals: 3/17 at Holy Angels
Section Championship: 3/20 at Holy Angels
Teams to beat: St. Bernard's, Minnehaha Academy
Contenders: None
Sub-section Predictions:
Playin Games: Roosevelt over Providence, Trinity over Dunwoody
Round of 16: Concordia, Minnehaha, St. Croix Lutheran, Jordan, Breck, Edison, Holy Family
Sub-section semifinals: St. Bernard's, Minnehaha, Jordan, Holy Family
Sub-section champions: St. Bernard's, Holy Family
Section champion: St. Bernard's
Section Thoughts: The east sub-section is really what this is about as you have 2 of the best in AA there. St. Bernard's and Minnehaha are at another level. Holy Family and Jordan split in their 2 meetings, I take Holy Family as I think their tough schedule helps them and they've been here before. Edison over Brooklyn Center is my upset as they've played close games without wins. Minnehaha will be jacked up and really prepared for the game with St. Bernard's but I don't know how they handle the pressure from the Bulldogs that was a problem in the 1st matchup.
What do you think of PACT's chances of reaching the section 4A final this year? They only lost to Southwest by 6 very early in the season, they upset Maranatha breaking their 55 home game winning streak and they just came of a very impressive win to end the season holding a very good New Life team to only 35 points.
ReplyDeletePACT is dangerous as the 3 seed. Austin Rink has really developed since last year and Seth Mathis gives them solid play at the point. They beat SW Christian last year and barely lost to them this year. Not to mention the MCA win that you talked about. Definitely a sleeper pick to win the West Subsection.
ReplyDeleteDid you hear about the play-in game for 4A 10th seed st paul prep and 7th AFSA? Was actually really exciting, went to overtime and a buzzer-beater gave afsa the win 76-74.
ReplyDeleteTheweezo, I hadn't heard that. Sounds like quite the drama.
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