2017-18 Section 4AAAA Preview

This is the 23rd preview in my 2017-2018 season preview series.  Continuing our look at the class AAAA sections, we move on to section 4.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 4AAAA (8 teams)
Defending Champion: Cretin-Derham Hall

Tournament Schedule:
Quarterfinals: Wednesday, March 7th
Semifinals: Saturday, March 10th at Hastings
Finals: Thursday, March 15th at Hastings

Predicted Seeding

1. Cretin-Derham Hall
2. East Ridge
3. North St. Paul
4. Woodbury
5. St. Paul Central
6. Tartan
7. White Bear Lake
8. Stillwater

No new teams in the section for this 2 year cycle.  This will be a highly competitive section.  Cretin-Derham Hall and East Ridge stand out as the top 2 teams.  Whoever wins the Suburban East gets the 1 seed and I see a CDH vs E Ridge rubber match deciding who goes to state.  Woodbury and North St. Paul will have a close battle for the 3 seed.  I'll give St. Paul Central the nod for 5 over Tartan due to being St. Paul City champs though the section hasn't voted that way historically.  White Bear Lake has the pieces to remain 7th and Stillwater is looking at a long year.

Sleeper: Tartan.  This will be the 1st year in a long time with no expectations as they lose almost everybody.  But there is still talent there and a hall of fame coach in Mark Klingsporn who has taken teams to state.

Section Winner: Cretin-Derham Hall.  Not betting against the defending section champs with everybody returning.  East Ridge will be an extremely tough out this year and they are looking at a couple of great years ahead.  Look for that 3rd meeting to be one the best section finals of the season.