2016-17 Sections 1 and 3AAAA Preview

This is the 21st preview in my 2016-2017 season preview series.  We continue our look at class AAAA with a look at section 3AAAA plus the local teams in section 1AAAA.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 3AAAA (8 teams)
Defending Champion: Apple Valley  

Predicted Seeding

1. Apple Valley
2. Eastview
3. Rosemount
4. Hastings
5. Burnsville
6. Eagan
7. Henry Sibley
8. Park

Its another down year for what is normally a strong South Suburban Conference based section.  Despite losing basically everyone except Tre Jones, Apple Valley is still the clear favorite.  The junior class plays well together and they'll be there in the end.  Eastview is the clear best of the rest with their perimeter duo of Jameson Bryan and Mason Carpenter.  Rosemount slots in next with the Loehr twins inside.  Hastings by default is next.  Their non-conference games vs the South Suburban will bring clarity to their seed.  Then the bottom 4 are all rebuilding.  Sibley plays Eagan and Park in non-conference road games in December.  Those could move their seed up or down.

Sleeper: Rosemount.  The Loehr twins give the Irish an inside dimension not seen elsewhere in this section.  If they can get enough guard play, they could be dangerous here.

Section Winner: Apple Valley. Too much Tre Jones here.  But this isn't the juggernaut Eagles team of years past.  A rivalry game vs Eastview is always tough especially for the 3rd time in a season with a state trip at stake.

Section 1AAAA
3 South Suburban teams battle 4 teams from the Big 9 and New Prague (Wright County) in this section.  Lakeville North is once again on the early list of possible state champions.  Rochester John Marshall is in that next group of teams in class AAAA.  They remain the main roadblock.  Lakeville North has been kryponite to JM by beating them in the last 4 section finals.  The dynamite matchup of star sophomore Michael Hurt vs Wisconsin commit Nate Reuvers makes this likely section final in Rochester a must see event.  Don't sleep on Lakeville South here as they can score it with anybody.  New Prague will not be an easy out either with Zach Hanson anchoring the frontline.  Farmington with a new coach and a youth movement is rebuilding so I see a 1st round exit there.