2014-15 Section 4AAAA Preview

This is the 21st preview in my 2014-2015 season preview series.  The previews of class AAAA continue with a look at Section 4.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Defending Champion: Tartan

Predicted Seeding

1. Tartan
2. Stillwater
3. Roseville
4. Mahtomedi
5. Mounds View
6. Woodbury 
7. North
8. White Bear Lake

I said Tartan was young last year, this year they're looking at 4 top players being sophomores.  Stillwater has 3 very good pieces coming back and a Randy Jordan team is always a tough out.  Roseville returns a very good group on the perimeter.  They'll battle an experienced Mahtomedi group for the 3 seed.  Mounds View will be dangerous again if they can have guys step up to help Ryan Kaczynski.  Woodbury is rebuilding and North is still a year or 2 away.  White Bear Lake loses one of their few returning guys, I think they have an uphill battle.  Matchups will be very interesting to watch in this section.  Tartan matches up very well with Roseville as does Mahtomedi with Stillwater (though Hjelle and McKinley didn't go at each other much during their meeting last year).  Stillwater has also given Roseville fits.

Sleeper: Mounds View.  Ryan Kaczynski is a tough forward that is a difficult matchup.  They play hard-nosed basketball and with last year's success as a foundation, they could definitely be a spoiler.

Section Winner: Tartan. Too talented, too well coached.  While they don't have a true interior presence, I don't see the teams in this section hurting them enough there to make a difference.