2018-19 Section 3AAA Preview

This is the 17th preview in my 2018-2019 season preview series.  As week 4 of the 6 week preview series moves along, I start my look at the local AAA sections with section 3AAA.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 3AAA (8 teams)
Defending Champion: St. Thomas Academy

Tournament Schedule:
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, March 5th
Semifinals: Friday, March 8th at Bloomington Jefferson
Finals: Thursday, March 14th at Bloomington Jefferson

Predicted Seeding

1. St. Thomas Academy
2. St. Croix Lutheran
3. St. Paul Harding
4. Holy Angels 
5. South St. Paul
6. St. Paul Highland Park
7. Bloomington Kennedy
8. Richfield

The defending champs St. Thomas Academy are still the heavy favorite here.  St. Croix Lutheran loses plenty but also has talent coming back.  Harding's run in the St. Paul City keeps them above the rest.  Holy Angels takes the 4 spot with their new talent.  Once again the bottom of the section will represent some of the worst of AAA.  South St. Paul is my pick to stay 5th with their young guys.  Highland Park will be another team reliant on sophomores.  Kennedy and Richfield will again struggle.

Staying with southeast AAA schools from the metro east, a note on Simley.  Down in section 1AAA, they could battle for a 1st round home game.  I'll say they get it and advance thanks to Isaiah Robinson.  But they'll go out in the semis.

Sleeper: Holy Angels.  With the Charles and Emmitt Johnson, that gives the Stars quality guard play which enough to beat many teams in this down section.

Section Winner: St. Thomas Academy.  The Cadets and Jack Thompson make another trip to state out of a weak section.