12-13 Section 2AAAA Preview

This is the 19th preview in my 2012-2013 season preview series.  The final segment of my previews begins here as we finish with previews of 6 of the 8 sections in class AAAA.  In this preview, a look at section 2AAAA.  For a list of all the season previews, click here.

Defending Champion: Eden Prairie

Predicted Seeding

1. Eden Prairie
2. Prior Lake
3. Shakopee
4. Chanhassen
5. Bloomington Kennedy  
6. Lakeville South
7. Bloomington Jefferson
8. Burnsville

Expect a strong top half of section 2AAAA.  Eden Prairie looks to repeat as section champs after last year's epic performance by Grant Shaeffer in the state quarters.  Shaeffer returns along with junior guard Andre Wallace to provide one of the best backcourts around.  Prior Lake has their own 1-2 punch with Jon Sobaski at the point and Utah State commit Carson Shanks in the middle.  Shakopee is also huge and they return everybody.  Chanhassen loses a ton but they'll have a better year than one may think.  Not to mention the sophomore class is loaded.  That includes Joey Witthus who's poised for a breakout season.  Kennedy will be very interesting to watch under new coach Reggie Perkins.  They have athletes in a section that generally is lacking them.  Lakeville South will be battle tested in the South Suburban but I just don't see how they move up here.  Jefferson could pull a first round upset just by boring their opponent to death.  Burnsville is still in rebuilding mode.  Overall, the teams here (outside of Kennedy) are slower paced grid it out defensive teams.

Sleeper: Bloomington Kennedy.  With Dejon Davis and Jumah'ri Turner on the wings and Travon Hearns to man the inside, the Eagles have some nice pieces.  Add in a coach who's been to the biggest stage and I wouldn't write them off.

Section Winner: Eden Prairie. Their guard duo of Grant Shaeffer and Andre Wallace is too much in this section.  They also have enough size to deal with the big lineups posed by Prior Lake and Shakopee.