2015-16 Section 6AAA Preview

This is the 19th preview in my 2015-2016 season preview series.  Week 5 of this 6 week series begins with a glance at the final metro area section in class AAA.  That's the reworked section 6AAA.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 6AAA (8 teams)
Defending Champion: Waconia

New teams in the subsection

• Delano (5AAA)
• DeLaSalle (3AAA)
• Minneapolis Henry (3AAA)
• Orono (5AAA) 

Teams that left the subsection

• Holy Angels (3AAA)
• Holy Family (5AA)
• Minneapolis Washburn (6AAAA)
• Richfield (3AAA)

Predicted Seeding

1. DeLaSalle
2. Benilde-St. Margaret's
3. Delano
4. Orono
5. Waconia
6. Minneapolis Henry
7. Mound-Westonka
8. Blake

If this isn't the best section in a very down year in class AAA, I don't know what is.  Not only do you have defending champion Waconia, but you have 4 time defending state champ De La Salle and last year's 5AAA champion Orono joining the section.  Add in my Metro West favorite Benilde-St. Margaret, a solid Minneapolis Henry team and up and coming Delano and you have a very good section.  That means it won't be a cakewalk in the drive for 5 for the Islanders.

Waconia loses a ton of size from last year's team but they still have a rock solid backcourt with Joey Kortuem, Josh Rands and Ryan Kutchen plus soph Charlie Gove behind them.  Orono loses 4 of their top 6 scorers (like Waconia) but they still have Sam Sustacek inside with Alex Kill, Coby Stoe and junior Noel Mshihiri around him.  Delano loses their top scorer but the Tigers bring back their next 7.  That includes recent Mary commit Matt Kreklow to provide size.  They also have a young and talented backcourt in soph Calvin Wishart and frosh Derek Techam.  New coach Wade Hokenson takes over for Tyler Biwan at Mound-Westonka.  He has soph Griffin Sage as a piece to build around.  The Wright County East will battle test Delano, Orono and Waconia but I still like Benilde-St. Margaret's at the 2 seed.  They're experienced and have a goto guy in Sam Baker.  3 thru 6 could fall in any direction but whomever comes thru that Wright County East gauntlet will get the 3.  I'm going to pick Delano to be that team and to make a jump up from 500 this year.  That's despite losing to Orono 3 times and Waconia twice last year.  Waconia won't go out easily either thanks to their guards.  Henry is my hard luck 6 seed as they'd probably be no worse than a 3 seed in most other AAA sections.  Late season home games for the Patriots against Waconia and Orono could loom large in their section seeding.  If nothing else the 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5 games will be very entertaining.

Sleeper: Henry.  They're big and athletic and they have scorers in Julian Jackson and Demetrius Edwards-Brown.  If they take care of the ball and make shots, they have the ability to make it really tough on people.

Section Winner: DeLaSalle.  Is there another choice here?  You have a nationally ranked guy in Goanar Mar who can play inside or out.  Soph Gabe Kalscheur got a ton of time last year and emerged as a goto type guy.  Samm Jones provides the experience at point.  Not to mention they are loaded with young talent.