2014-15 Week 1 What to Watch

Here's what grabs my attention in the metro during the short opening week of the 2014-15 season.

Thursday
A quiet opening night on the schedule but a couple of games stick out.  Waconia at Columbia Heights is where I'll be.  A quality matchup of 3A teams that have high expectations and you'll likely see both in the 3A state poll for much of the year.  Waconia has a big front line, how will that impact Heights' star forward Jarrett Baptiste.

Also of note is an metro area appearance by South Dakota commit Dan Jech.  His Rochester Mayo squad opens at Farmington.

Friday
St. Paul Johnson gets a tough road opener against Lakeville South.  The point guard matchup of Jalen Mobley vs Jack Sorenson highlights that.  Then Justus Murphy and Brenon Larson-Gulsvig go at each other after I coached them together in The League this fall.  South frosh Shea Mitchell jumps onto the scene in a tough opener vs  the swarming Govs defense.

In section 7AAAA, Blaine visits Forest Lake.  This early season matchup will likely have longer term seeding implications.  Blaine has a huge lineup while Forest Lake is best at the guard spot.  Going up against a Rangers 1-3-1 and their 5 out offense early in the year, no fun.

We even get an early neighborhood rivalry game as Mahtomedi visits White Bear Lake.

Saturday
Chaska visits Apple Valley in a non-conference battle.  The Hawks look to be one of the favorites in the Metro West while Apple Valley reloads.  Tre Jones vs Jacob Hansen at the point spot will be fun to watch.  A major key in this one will be the underclassmen battle on the wing between top sophs Gary Trent and Myles Hanson.

Another quality 3A game on the schedule this week is Hill-Murray opening at Holy Family.  Big Justin Dahl in the middle for Holy Family will get plenty of chances to protect the rim against the slashing guard duo of Marshawn Wilson and Simeon Davis.  Can the Pioneers rebound well enough to not allow Holy Family easy points?  Hill-Murray will need to get out and run to beat Dahl down the floor.