12-13 Section 5AAAA Preview

This is the 22nd preview in my 2012-2013 season preview series.  In this preview, a look at section 5AAAA.  For a list of all the season previews, click here.

Defending Champion: Osseo  

Predicted Seeding

1. Osseo
2. Park Center
3. Champlin Park
4. Centennial 
5. Robbinsdale Cooper
6. Maple Grove
7. Irondale
8. Coon Rapids

District rivals Osseo and Park Center take the top 2 spots.  Osseo gets 1 as the existing big dog.  Park Center jumped up on everybody last year.  That won't happen this year as the Pirates should have one of the most high powered offenses in the state.  North Dakota signee Quinton Hooker leads the way but with Isaiah McKay, Treyton Daniels and PSA transfer Devin Buckley on the perimeter with him, they'll be very dangerous.  Champlin Park and Centennial will both be solid.  Cooper is a wildcard.  Maple Grove has some nice pieces coming back with wing Jake Weineke, point guard Bryce Wojta and Eric Olson inside.  That would be interesting to see Champlin Park and Maple Grove in the 3 vs 6 game.  Irondale by default slots in at 7.  Coon Rapids may have another long year so they go 8th.

Sleeper: Robbinsdale Cooper.  Anytime you have a top 20 kid in the country in Rashad Vaughn, that means a team can be dangerous.  Cooper has plenty returning around him.  Remember that the Hawks knocked off Park Center on the road last year in the opening round 2 vs 7 game.  If this group puts it together, don't be shocked to see a run at tourney time.

Section Winner: Osseo.  The Orioles return leadership and clutch play from Bridge Tusler.  They have a quality post in Ian Theisen.  They'll have a scorer in Wheeler Baker.  Add in plenty of supporting pieces and the Orioles have to be the favorite until beaten.