2020-21 Preseason Section Predictions

This is the 17th preview in my 2020-21 Season Preview Series.  In this preview, I'll condense my usual section by section previews in to a list of predicted winners for this season.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 4A: Legacy Christian Academy.  The Lions have way too much returning in a section that isn't very strong.  Jake Wald should be recovered from an offseason injury by the end of the season.  With him at 100% for the section bracket, that's enough.  CHOF once again looks to give them a run.

Section 4AA: St. Croix Prep.  The guard play for SCPA too much to ignore here.  Cristo Rey will look to give them a run with the Burgess twins running the show.  Twin Cities Academy and the McNeal twins is another team with a loaded perimeter crew that can make a run here.

Section 5AA: Minneapolis North.  Larry McKenzie has a loaded roster that is the huge favorite here.  Davon Townley is the major difference maker.  Blake has a talented perimeter group that will make them the next best team here.  But lack of depth and size are too much of an issue to pick them to pull the upset.

Section 3AAA: South St. Paul. Alonzo Dodd leads an explosive offensive team.  I love the feel good story of Matt McCollister taking another downtrodden program to a section title (see also Brooklyn Center).  But they'll have to get past the defending champs Richfield to make it happen.  The Spartans have everybody back including a front line that is a tough matchup for most.  Those 2 teams matching up would be one of the more appealing section title games.

Section 4AAA: Minnehaha Academy.  Speaking of appealing section title games, a Totino-Grace vs Minnehaha matchup would top my list.  Minnehaha with 3 straight state titles and COVID preventing a chance for 4 has to be the pick until beaten.  Losing Jalen Suggs is huge, but Chet Holmgren is such a game changer defensively.  Add in guys like Prince Aligbe and all the other talent to make a roster still good enough to win the whole thing.  TG goes 2 deep at every position though.  Plus they have a star of their own in soph PG Tommy Chatman.  The one weakness they have is youth and Minnehaha has the experience of being there.

Section 6AAA: De La Salle.  Another case where you pick the champ until beaten.  Cade Haskins will put the offense on his back.  While its not the section of death like many years past, it won't be a cakewalk either.  Orono will give the Islanders all they want.  Plus I'm sure they won't forget giving away a section title game a couple years ago.  Mound-Westonka is no slouch either.

Section 1AAAA: Lakeville South.  Coach Joe Janquart has the stars aligned to win the section this year.  The main competition will be from Owatonna and Farmington.  Both have a ton coming back and are looking to make a leap.  But I see too much big game experience for the Cougars.  Reid Patterson makes plays and they have nice role guys around him.

Section 2AAAA: Chaska.  The Hawks have size, guard play and experience coming back.  3 of last year's loaded teams have huge losses (Prior Lake, Shakopee, Eden Prairie).  Edina also losing a star in forward Jacob Hutson.  Prior Lake, Shakopee and Edina all with talented juniors ready to take over though.  Minnetonka has a good guard group that can be a bad matchup.

Section 3AAAA: Lakeville North.  This section title has resided in the city of Apple Valley for a long time.  Coach Oxton is not one to bet against come section time and he has plenty of experience and talent coming back.  Eastview will be the main competition with a talented bench group taking over the rotation.  Rosemount is dangerous with shooter Caleb Siwek returning.

Section 4AAAA: East Ridge.  They have a talented inside-out duo of Kendall Blue and Drew Adams coming back.  Woodbury will be a threat here as well with plenty coming back.  Cretin-Derham Hall can't be discounted with Tre Holloman.  Tartan's defense will have them in the mix as well.

Section 5AAAA: Osseo.  I think this is the most top heavy section in class AAAA.  Osseo is the deepest team here.  Tim Theisen's experience gets it done here.  Champlin Park's duo of Strong and Nwaokorie is more than capable of winning it.  Park Center will still be very talented despite heavy losses.  Mounds View has their scoring coming back.  Their hard-nosed style along with their experience will make them a tough out.

Section 6AAAA: Wayzata.  This is the common Wayzata vs Hopkins theme.  Hopkins having to replace Andre Gray (now at Minneapolis North) is a major hole.  Wayzata's junior group is very talented and experienced.  Health did them in last year but they proved they could play with anybody.  

Section 7AAAA:  Duluth East.  Despite losing guard Will Van Scoy for the season due to injury, the Greyhounds have the easiest run of anybody.  Mattie Thompson and Noah Paulson are a top level duo.  Forest Lake is the only notable threat here.

Section 8AAAA: Maple Grove.  I think the Crimson size makes the difference here.  Add that in with their always solid group of guards and that's enough . Moorhead can give them a run with a ton coming back.  Brainerd and Buffalo look to be spoilers.