2013 STATE CLASS A BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
GAMES PLAYED AT WILLIAMS ARENA THURSDAY, MARCH 21
11:00: Mountain Lake Area vs. Maranatha (Seed 1)
1:00: Lakeview Christian Academy (Seed 5 ) vs. Rushford Peterson (Seed 4)
3:00: Battle Lake vs, Upsala (Seed 2)
5:00: Walker-Hackensack-Akeley vs. SW MN Christian (Seed 3)
Examining the field: Returning to the state tournament is an early power who played in the first state tournament in 1913, partnered years later with Butterfield Odin and is now back under its own name, Mountain Lake Area. The Wolverines are looking for their first state title since 1939 and have a tough road ahead against the top seeded Maranatha Mustangs. Like the movie Slap Shot, the Mustangs have the Hanson Brothers, Isaiah and Jeremiah. They have been the key to the Brooklyn Park school's success as they have been the top Class A team most of the season.
If you have not seen Lakeview Christian Academy's top player Anders Broman, it might be your last chance before he heads for South Dakota State next season. His brother Bjorn, a sophomore, has more than 1,300 career points and also adds to the Lions high powered offense. In order to to advance, they'll have to get by perennial southeastern Minnesota power Rushford-Peterson, led by veteran head coach Tom Vix.
They could be an interesting battle as the Battle Lake Battlers face the unbeaten Upsala Cardinals. Things are looking up in Upsala after the girls team lost to Bethlehem Academy in last week's Class A quarterfinals. They are led by Christian Pekarek, averaging 23 points a game. Can they win the battle against Battle Lake?
Good news for fans in the Leech Lake area, the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves are making their first trip to state. They have been on a roll with their last loss on January 15 against Nevis. They face one of only two schools to win four consecutive state titles, the SW MN Christian Eagles. The other was Minneapolis Patrick Henry. It's been an outstanding season for the Edgerton based school who has not lost since December 21 to Sioux Falls Christian. Is a fifth title in the works?
There you have it. This year's state tournament preview. Enjoy the games.
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