Now here's a look at the eight Class AAA sections.
In Section 1, the top seeded Austin Packers are the only unbeaten AAA team and look toward their 28th state tournament as head coach Kris Fadness keeps a winning tradition alive since the days of former coaches Ove Berven and Howie Strey. Led by the Aase Brothers, Joe and tom, they have the talent to return to Minneapolis. First they have to get through the section that contains the second seeded New Prague Trojans and the third seeded Red Wing Wingers.
Section 2 looks pretty interesting with three possible candidates for a state tournament berth. Start with the top seeded Waconia Wildcats, then the second seeded Marshall Tigers and the third seeded Mankato West Scarlets. Will the Scarlets feel right at home playing at Minnesota State-Mankato or will Waconia and Marshall make the trip on Highway 169?
The defending state Class AAA champion DeLaSalle Islanders are the top seed in Section 3 and have one of the top juniors in Minnesota Reid Travis. Their only loss was in the Timberwolves Shootout to Blue Valley Northwest of Kansas. The Islanders are the team to beat. Frist they have to get by Columbia Heights or Spring Lake park.
The Captiol City has the top three seeds in Section 4. Leading the way is the top seeded St. Paul Johnson Governors, on an eight game winning streak. The Highland Park Scots have the second seed and the St. Paul Minutemen are seeded third.
Going to Section 5, the Delano Tigers are the top seed. Also contending are the second seeded St. Cloud Apollo Eagles and the third seeded Big Lake Hornets.
Section 6 could be the best AAA section with the top seed Holy Angels Stars, led by junior Delshon Strickland. But look out for last year's AAA runner up the Minneapolis Washburn Millers and the third seeded Blake Bears. Who will come out of this section? Take your pick.
In Section 7, the top seeded Hermantown Hawks are in the hunt for their first state tournament berth. But hoping to keep the Hawks fan buses from making the trip are the second seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks and the third seed Chisago Lakes Wildcats. Plenty of drama in this section.
Section 8 is perhaps the most wide open section. Sartell, East Grand Forks and Alexandria are the top contenders. Who will make the long bus ride to Minneapolis? It should be interesting.
Next will be Class AA
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