2019-20 Section 4AA Preview

This is the 15th preview in my 2019-2020 season preview series.  In this preview, a look at section 4AA. For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 4AA (14 teams)
Defending Champion: Minnehaha Academy (2017, 2018, 2019 State AA Champions)

Tournament Schedule:
Round 1: Tuesday, March 3rd
Round 2: Thursday, March 5th
Quarterfinals: Saturday, March 7th
Semifinals: Wednesday, March 11th
Finals: Friday, March 13th at TBD

Predicted Seeding

1. St. Croix Prep
2. Cristo Rey
3. New Life Academy
4. Concordia Academy
5. Twin Cities Academy/Great River   
6. St. Paul Humboldt  
7. St. Paul Washington 
8. Hiawatha Collegiate
9. St. Agnes
10. St. Paul Academy
11. Mounds Park Academy 
12. Math and Science 
13. Nova Classical
14. Metro Schools College Prep

Like section 4A, this section looks like it will use the same tiered system of byes.  There will be a new section champion this year with Minnehaha moving up to section 4AAA.  St. Croix Prep and Cristo Rey are the clear favorites here and 3 potential meetings between these 2 will be outstanding.  Great guard play on both sides with the really fun matchup of SCPA's Daniel McCarrell vs CRJ's James Sommer at the PG spot.  The St. Paul City and EMAC teams will be very interesting to watch in terms of seeding in the middle. I think those St. Paul teams get a bump up while the EMAC teams may take a hit.  Some very interesting middle seed matchups could happen there.  The bottom 4 drops off dramatically.

Sleeper: Twin Cities Academy/Great River.  Experienced guards and a quality big guy along with a lower seed make them a dangerous matchup.

Section Winner: St. Croix Prep  They are deeper overall and better up front than Cristo Rey.  Quality guard play come tourney time never gets out of fashion and they definitely have it.