2018-19 Section 5AAAA Preview

Happy Freshman tryout day.  That means we're 1 week away from the start of the 2018-19 official practice season.  This is the 24th preview in my 2018-2019 season preview series.  In this final week of previews, I complete 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: Osseo

Tournament Schedule:
Quarterfinals: Wednesday, March 6th
Semifinals: Tuesday, March 12th at Coon Rapids
Finals: Friday, March 15th at Rogers

Predicted Seeding

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

Park Center is a heavy favorite here and a state championship threat with all the pieces.  They also haven't been able to get out of this section the last couple of years which should be great motivation.  Champlin Park is the best of the rest with Bennett Otto leading the way.  Osseo, Roseville and Spring Lake Park will battle for the remaining 2 home games.  I wouldn't be shocked to see Centennial jump into that group either.  Mounds View and Irondale will battle to stay out of the last seed.

Sleeper: Centennial.  They lost a truckload of close games last year and have that experience coming back.  They run quality offense and they have the ability to shoot you out of the gym.

Section Winner: Park Center.  The Pirates look to get back to the big dance and make noise like they did in the Quentin Hooker days.  Too deep and talented and Champlin Park and Osseo have too much to replace.