The Boys Basketball Section playoffs have started all over the state of Minnesota this past week, and most sections have reached the Final 4. We will be previewing all the Sections with Wright County teams in them. Below is a preview for Section 6AA. Good luck to all the teams and hope to see you at state!
The Final 4:
#1 Seed: Albany Huskies, 26-2.
How they got here: Defeated Pine City 85-48, and Melrose 57-50 in the sections.
Key Players: Zeke Austin(16 ppg.), Sam Hondl(15 ppg.), and Hunter Haman(7 ppg.)
About the Huskies: The Huskies are known for their strong defense, and have two players in Austin and Hondl who are a handful on offense. The Huskies also have great depth, but the scoring really drops off after Austin and Hondl.
Sam Hondl, above, has an offer from UMD and is a versatile scoring machine for the Huskies.
#2 Seed: Annandale Cards, 25-3.
How they got here: Defeated Rush City 89-34, and Foley 89-58 in the sections.
Key Players: Isaak Eenhuis(14 ppg.), Colton Purcell(13 ppg.) Gavin Wang(12 ppg.), and Nick Walter(10 ppg.)
About the Cards: After a so so start to the season the Cards have caught fire winning 18 straight. Putting Caleb Purcell at PG was a great move for the Cards, and they have so many ways to beat you. This team may be the deepest team in the state of Minnesota, and if on they are hard to beat.
Isaak Eenhuis, above, hit 10 threes and scored 30 points in the Cards blowout win over Foley on Saturday.
#5 Seed: Spectrum Storm, 24-4.
How they got here: Defeated Kimball 74-34, and Legacy 77-66 in the sections.
Key Players: Blake Fermite(21 ppg.), Braden Nelson(14 ppg.), and Jordan Williams(11 ppg.)
About the Storm: Dangerous team, seeded low because of soft schedule, but this team can play. Williams went off for 28 in win over Legacy in Quarters, and this team can score. Depth is an issue, but I have a feeling Spectrum will give Albany all it can handle.
Blake Femite, above, is a threat both off the dribble and from 3 point range for the Storm.
#6 Seed: Osakis Silverstreaks, 23-5.
How they got here: Defeated Holdingford 65-53, and Sauk Centre 57-53 in sections.
Key Players: Kyle Mages(19 ppg.), Grant Mages(16 ppg.) and Seth Staloch(9 ppg.)
About the Silverstreaks: Osakis has played well as of late winning five straight. This team relies on the Mages’ to do almost everything scoring wise. In their upset over Sauk Centre, Kyle and Grant Mages combined for 38 of the 57 points. The big question for Osakis, is can anyone else step up and score which they will need if they want to upset Annandale.
Kyle Mages, above, drives toward the basket earlier in the season. Mages avg. 19 ppg for the Silverstreaks.
Bottom Line: Annandale and Albany are the big favorites. In the semis I can see Spectrum really giving Albany a tough fight, but I can’t see Osakis challenging Annandale, but you never know! If Annandale wins, either Albany or Spectrum will be a challenge. Earlier in the year the Cards won a close one over Spectrum, and blew out Albany, but I expect a much closer game if they meet again. Bottom line, the Cards have enough talent and depth to advance to state, shot selection and defense will determine their fate.
Section 6AA Bracket: https://www.mshsl.org/tournaments/2024-section-6aa-basketball-boys-tournament
