10-11 Section 4AAAA Preview

This is the 20th preview in my 2010-2011 season preview series.  In this preview, I move to the east metro for a look at Section 4AAAA.  For a list of all the season previews, click here.

Defending Champion: Henry Sibley

Predicted Seeding

1. Tartan
2. Cretin-Derham Hall
3. Roseville
4. Henry Sibley
5. Stillwater
6. White Bear Lake
7. North St. Paul
8. East Ridge
9. Woodbury

This is the 1 of the 2 AAAA sections that will have an 8 vs 9 pigtail game this season.  East Ridge moves in as the 9th team.  As usual this is the Classic Suburban vs Suburban East showcase with the top teams in each league highlighting the bracket.  The conference winners and runners-up get the top 4 seeds.  Roseville has enough talent to over come the 2 teams in front of them.  Lucas Brown is a handful for anybody in the section.  The rest falls in line with league results.  White Bear Lake gets a rough draw as the 6 seed but they could scare Roseville in that 3 vs 6 game.  East Ridge gets the home pigtail game.  I wonder with them moving in to the section if the section site eventually gets moved as it would be possible for East Ridge to play 3 games at home to make state (if they were a top 4 seed).  The rest of the sections are setup to avoid section semis/finals at home.

Section Winner: Tartan.  Last year's semifinal loss to Cretin-Derham Hall was really tough to swallow and I think the Titans get revenge.  These are 2 teams that are similar with Awich vs Newman up front and Strong/Preiners vs Tillman/Kelly/Montero on the outside.  I think Tartan is better defensively and has the top difference maker in this game, Darrion Strong.  Combine that with the defensive options Tartan can throw at Raijon Kelly and I think that puts Tartan over the top in a quality section final.