2015-16 Section 4AA Preview

This is the 15th preview in my 2015-2016 season preview series.  In this preview, a look at section 4AA. For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 4AA (16 teams)
Defending Champion: St. Croix Lutheran (State 3rd Place)

New teams in the section

• Academy for Sciences & Agriculture (4A)
• Math and Science Academy (4A)

Teams that left the section

• FAIR (5AA)
• Prairie Seeds Academy (4A)
• St. Paul Prep (4A)

Predicted Seeding

1. St. Croix Lutheran   
2. Minnehaha 
3. St. Paul Academy    
4. Minneapolis Roosevelt  
5. Concordia Academy
6. Trinity 
7. New Life Academy
8. St. Paul Washington  
9. St. Croix Prep
10. Mounds Park Academy
11. St. Paul Humboldt
12. Charter Stars
13. AFSA
14. Math and Science
15. St. Paul Prep
16. Hmong Academy

Once again the top quarter of the section is very strong.  Defending champ St. Croix Lutheran should be the early favorite for the top seed with everybody back from last year.  The rest of the contenders remain strong as well.  JoVanni Bickham and Jalen Suggs can carry Minnehaha a long way.  SPA has another year of their dynamic duo Dalante Peyton and Kent Hanson.  Roosevelt has to replace their outstanding backcourt but Elijah Hannah and Devon Hannah with Martez Rodgers give them a nice trio to build around.   Trinity and Washington has some pieces coming back as well.  The bottom half remains very weak so don't expect much in the 1st round games. 

Sleeper: Trinity.  Apologies to fellow MCAA South member New Life Academy for not picking them here for the 3rd straight season.  With plenty coming back and a go to guy in Eddie Maruggi, the Tri-Hawks won't be an easy out.

Section Winner: St. Croix Lutheran. While their tough regular season schedule will knock their record down (at Mpls North, Braham, Waseca, at Roosevelt, at SPA, Wayzata, Battle Lake), I still think they earn the top seed.  Size, guard play, shooting and experience are all there