12-13 Section 6AAA Preview

This is the 18th preview in my 2012-2013 season preview series.  In this preview, from the east side to the west side for a look at section 6AAA.  For a list of all the season previews, click here.

Defending Champion: Minneapolis Washburn

Predicted Seeding

1. Blake
2. Holy Angels 
3. Washburn
4. Richfield
5. Chaska
6. Holy Family
7. Benilde-St. Margaret's
8. Roosevelt

Its another strong year in section 6AAA.  Blake is a top flight 3A team.  Holy Angels and Chaska both look to make runs at the Missota title.  Both have major returnees from last year.  Holy Angels with size (Sullivan and Koontz) along with a star point guard in Jordan Dembley.  They also are one of the top 3A teams in the state.  Minneapolis Washburn is young but talented.  They'll make a run in the Minneapolis City Conference.  Richfield has a beast in Deshawn Jones and a bunch of athletes around him.   Chaska has Eric West inside and a very good guard trio of Justin Arnold, Kolby Seiffert and Jacob Hansen.  Holy Family has plenty of size but struggled last year.  Benilde-St. Margaret's will fall way off this season.  They'll build around Armstrong transfer Jayson Edwards at the point.  Roosevelt will struggle against the rest of these teams.

Sleeper: Holy Family. The Fire was put out last year with only 1 win.  Don't sleep on Holy Family this season.  Their front line will be very good with junior forwards Joe Hanel and Joe Conroy.  Then soph center Justin Dahl is a potential beast.  You know they'll run a disciplined style.  With guard play they can be very dangerous.

Section Winner: Blake.  The Bears have a scorer in Kebu Johnson, length in players like JR Bascom and Blaine Crawford who are both underappreciated.  Add in a quality and experienced point guard in John Veil.  They'll also be battle tested by a very tough non-conference schedule.