2015-16 Section 5AA East Preview

This is the 16th preview in my 2015-2016 season preview series.  In this preview, a look at the east subsection of section 5AA.  The projections are for this section to go east and west vs north and south this season.  Most of these teams played in the south last year and all look to be in the east this year.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 5AA East Subsection (9 teams)
Defending Champion: Breck

New teams in the subsection

• FAIR (4AA)
• Holy Family (6AAA)
• Southwest Christian (4A)
• Spectrum (5AA North)

Teams that left the subsection

• Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (5AA West)
• Rockford (5AA West)
• Watertown-Mayer (5AA West)

Predicted Seeding

1. Brooklyn Center
2. Southwest Christian
3. Holy Family
4. Providence
5. Breck
6. Spectrum
7. Minneapolis Edison
8. International School
9. FAIR

I look for Brooklyn Center to be very dangerous in this subsection.  Too much athleticism which I think can force some turnovers to get easy hoops.  Southwest Christian's guard play is good enough to overcome that but a lack of size looms.  Holy Family and Providence have guard experience too and play methodical styles that drive the Centaurs nuts.  I see them battling for the 3 seed.  After that, it drops off drastically.  Breck has a new coach and has to replace almost everyone.  The bottom 3 are also rebuilding while double double guy Zach Knollenberg needs help at Spectrum.  FAIR and International School battle for the home pigtail game

Sleeper: Holy Family.  The Fire are a different team this year without Justin Dahl in the middle.  Plus they lose a bunch of seniors.  So expectations may not be the highest.  But they return a couple of guards who can shoot it and a reserve post.  With their tough 3A Wright County schedule and tradition, that will help them come tourney time.

Section Winner: Brooklyn Center.  I see a breakthrough year for the Centaurs.  Landon Kirkwood and company put it together and make it to the section final.