2019-20 Section 5AAAA Preview

This is the 24th preview in my 2019-2020 season preview series.  In this 6th and final week of previews, I complete the last half of the class AAAA section previews and then finish up with the annual season overview on Friday.  Today its section 5AAAA.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 5AAAA (8 teams)
Defending Champion: Park Center

Tournament Schedule:
Quarterfinals: Wednesday, March 4th
Semifinals: Tuesday, March 10th at Coon Rapids
Finals: Friday, March 13th at Rogers

Predicted Seeding

1. Park Center
2. Champlin Park
3. Osseo
4. Spring Lake Park 
5. Roseville
6. Centennial
7. Mounds View
8. Irondale

Park Center is a heavy favorite here and a state championship threat with all the pieces.  Then a very interesting battle behind them for 2nd between Champlin Park and Osseo.  They'll meet on Jan 17th at Champlin Park in a game that could decide that seed.  Both have lots of talented new guys stepping into the rotation.  Spring Lake Park's experience will keep them in the fight with that group as well.  Roseville and Centennial will battle it out behind them.  Then the Mounds View district lags behind.

Sleeper: Centennial.  Shooting comes and goes and can be suspect in the playoffs.  Not sure they can stop the size in this section. But if they get hot in the right matchup, an upset could happen.

Section Winner: Park Center.  The lineup is too loaded and experienced to not pick them.  Dain Dainja is a monster inside.  Josh Brown gives them a shooter.  DT Frierson can do multiple things for them.  Then a bunch of interchangeable parts off the bench.  John Grigsby as a stretch 4 is another important dimension for them.