2019-20 Section 4AAAA Preview

This is the 23rd preview in my 2018-2019 season preview series.  Continuing our look at the class AAAA sections, we move on to section 4.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 4AAAA (8 teams)
Defending Champion: East Ridge

Tournament Schedule:
Quarterfinals: Wednesday, March 4th
Semifinals: Saturday, March 7th at Hastings
Finals: Thursday, March 12th at Hastings

Predicted Seeding

1. Cretin-Derham Hall
2. East Ridge
3. North St. Paul
4. Tartan
5. Woodbury  
6. St. Paul Central 
7. White Bear Lake 
8. Stillwater

While not as strong as section 2, this section also has 3 projected conference champs plus 2 other projected runners-up.  East Ridge will have their hands full defending the section title.  Cretin-Derham Hall sticks out as a favorite.  East Ridge still has Ben Carlson and some young guys who will have to step into bigger roles.  The inexperienced guard play could be a major factor against the other top teams here.  North St. Paul and Tartan will battle it out in the Metro East.  North St. Paul's crazy difficult December schedule will help them prepare.  That includes the season opener at home vs Cretin-Derham Hall on December 3rd.  That's a must win for North St. Paul if they want any kind of top 2 seed considering how the Suburban East votes in bloc.  Woodbury and St. Paul Central will battle it out behind that group.  Central has a ton to replace but the St. Paul City schedule will help their record.  They have the young talent to do it as well with the freshman and JV squads playing the Twin Cities games last season.  Woodbury has a few pieces coming back as they look to make a jump.  White Bear Lake and Stillwater have to replace just about everybody.  But White Bear Lake as a couple of replacements ready to step in that should keep them out of the 8 seed.

Sleeper: Woodbury.  No expectations and they are experienced which is more than a lot of the section can say.

Section Winner: Cretin-Derham Hall.  Too much offensive firepower here with Curtis Jones and J'Vonne Hadley on the wings.  Plus they have star PG Tre Holloman to make it all go.  Add in Amari Carter and Will Burke to fill front court roles and they have to be the pick.