Previewing the 2025 AAAA Section Finals

The madness is here!  The 8 section championship games are set in classes AAA and AAAA.  Only 1 team that's not a top 2 seed made their section title game in the top 2 classes.  That was 3 seed Centennial in section 7AAAA.  Great for them, bad for #ShockTheCzar selections when it goes this close to chalk.  I prefer chaos!  Now let's take a quick look at the 8 section final games in class AAAA.

Section 1: (1) Rochester John Marshall vs (2) Lakeville North (Fri 8 PM, Mayo Arena, gametimemn.com)
Rochester John Marshall has steamrolled thru the first 2 rounds with 2 easy wins.  They dominated the paint in the Farmington game which is impressive against a lineup with that size.  42-16 points in the paint and 14-1 2nd chance points.  That's also a good fit in this matchup.  James Fager had 26 points from his guard spot in Lakeville North's semifinal win over Owatonna.  The Panthers will need more guard production like that to keep pace.  The irony of all the Matt/Michael Hurt teams that lost to Lakeville North but this JM team would make it is not lost on me.  Their dad is still on the JM staff.

Section 2: (2) Prior Lake at (1) Shakopee (Wed 7 PM, ShakopeeSabers.com/live)
Shakopee lost at Prior Lake by 4 and then won the rematch at home by 10.  Shakopee hit 9 first half threes to jump out to a double digit lead and not look back.  Zach Christofferson didn't play for Prior Lake in that 2nd meeting.  Prior Lake's size with Colten Gunderson inside is a problem.  Big rivalry game here, expect this one to be a close game in a packed house.

Section 3: (2) Eagan at (1) Apple Valley (Th 7 PM, NFHS or NSPN)
Another all South Suburban final where the teams split, but this was on the road.  Eagan won the first one by 4 but Apple Valley replied with a 25 pt win a month ago.  Eagan had enough good looks that didn't go in but the Apple Valley defensive pressure really took them out of their offense in that 2nd game.  Mikey McKenzie with 26 for Eagan in the win, 3 in the loss.  McKenzie and Alex Schroepfer both have to carry a heavy load in this one for the Eagan offense to keep up.  Apple Valley's big 3 of Camare Young, Trey Parker and Justin Cowan have all gotten theirs in both meetings.  Young was terrific in the last meeting with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.  Trey Parker added 5 3s.

Section 4: (2) Tartan at (1) Cretin-Derham Hall (Th 7 PM, NSPN)
Tartan went to a 2 man zone (1 high at nail, 1 at the basket) vs East Ridge in the 2nd half to totally change that game.  After a couple of hoops against it, East Ridge went something like 2-19 with 5 turnovers in an 11 min or so stretch.  Do they decide to try something similar against Jason Johnson, Monteff Dixon and the CDH bench?  Jerry Kline was in the building to see it so no surprises.  I think Dixon's ability to crash the offensive glass makes him a real X-Factor in this game.  Tommy Ahneman is obviously a major problem as Tartan doesn't really have a true big.  Though Kaden Ekereka was terrific in that role for them in the semis.  Ahneman's rim-running and ability to not just get easy buckets but to get early position before Tartan can set whatever defense they want to try is something I'll be watching.  But all of this could leave star soph Ty Schlagel to blow up the entire Tartan defensive strategy.  The tactical choices will be fun to watch.

Section 5: (2) Maple Grove at (1) Champlin Park (Wed 7 PM, CCX Sports)
This is an all NW Suburban final.  Maple Grove won the league game to share the league crown with Totino-Grace but Champlin Park easily won the rematch by 21.  Tyler Wagner with 28 of his 40 in the 1st half of that one.  That can't happen again for Maple Grove to succeed.  Maple Grove would love to follow the slow template that Mounds View used in the semis to keep a lead for a large chunk game against Champlin.  Be physical, patient and pound the glass.  Of course, picking up 3 fouls on Wagner helped that cause too.  Anything above 65 points favors Champlin Park.

Section 6: (2) Wayzata at (1) Hopkins (Tues 7 PM, StarTribune.com/live, sold out)
Tickets for this one sold out in minutes.  This is the most anticipated boys hoops game in the metro since Minnehaha played Sierra Canyon (CA) in front of 17,000 at the Target Center 5 years ago.  This all Lake Conference final was also a split with each team winning at home.  Wayzata has played in the state title game 4 straight years (2-2) and beaten Hopkins in this game the last 2 years. Last year was a 29 point behind the woodshed beating.  The other was a comeback from 13 down with 8 minutes left.  Then you add in all the shenanigans in the last meeting at Hopkins.  No love lost here and Hopkins hasn't played at state since 2019.  This will easily be the highest scoring game of the entire AAAA section finals.  Both teams with scorers for days.  Turnovers and clutch plays will be major keys.

Section 7: (3) Centennial at (1) Anoka (Th 7 PM, QCTV)
Anoka won the regular season meeting by 10 at Centennial.  Trey Borchers and Dre Ellis held to a combined 12 points for Anoka.  Jackson Driessen with 26 for Centennial in the loss.  Centennial's size is better but Anoka's perimeter play more than makes up the difference with the 3 headed monster of Ellis, Borchers and Peyton Podany running the show.

Section 8: (1) St. Michael-Albertville vs (2) Moorhead (Th 7 PM, Sartell, Sartell Hudl)
Moorhead lost the regular season meeting by 6 at STMA.  Moorhead had 4 guards in double figures in that game.  Jeremiah Johnson had 25 points in that first meeting for STMA and their size with Jack Thelen and Jordan Holm is a major factor.  I think the STMA experience factor against a young Moorhead rotation that includes 3 sophs and a freshman plays into this as well.  Great for Moorhead long term, but the first learning experience is often the toughest.