12-13 Section 3AAAA Preview

This is the 20th preview in my 2012-2013 season preview series.  In this preview, we stay in the southern region of the metro to take a look at section 3AAAA.  For a list of all the season previews, click here.

Defending Champion: Eastview

Predicted Seeding

1. Apple Valley
2. Henry Sibley
3. Cretin-Derham Hall
4. Eastview
5. East Ridge
6. Rosemount
7. Eagan
8. Park

Apple Valley is clearly 1 and Park is clearly 8.  CDH and Sibley as challenging teams in the Suburban East and Classic Suburban respectively will fight for the next 2 seeds.  CDH with the more guard oriented lineup while Sibley's size will be their strength.  Eastview has Ben Oberfeld inside and they'll defend so hard to move them down.  East Ridge is young but they have a nice core with point guard Sid Tomes leading the way.  Those 2 teams will battle for the last home game.  I think it would be a terrific 4 vs 5 battle in the first round.  Rosemount and Eagan have major losses from last season.  Rosemount's guards, specifically point guard Garrett Goetz, give them the nod over Eagan for the 6th slot.

Sleeper: East Ridge.  Once again I'll perch out on a limb and pick the Raptors.  I think this group is a year away but they have pieces that could make them dangerous late in the year.  Conrad Sexe gives them size against other bigs in the section.  Sid Tomes is a quality point guard.  Plus they have wing options to provide more offensive punch.

Section Winner: Apple Valley.  This is clearly the Eagles section to lose.  With the additions of freshman Brock Bertram and transfer Deidrick Hubbard on the frontline cure last year's lack of size problem.  They have all the pieces.  You have the best player in the section (and some vote in the nation for his class) in Tyus Jones with plenty of firepower around him.  Dustin Fronk, Harry Sonie and Dennis Austin give them scoring and experience.  In their league, they'll be plenty battle tested.