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. Don’t worry we didn’t forget Rockford, Dassel-Cokato, and Annandale, but they are only in the second round, if they win we will have a preview of their final four matchups next week. Below is a preview for Section 8AAAA. Good luck to all the teams and hope to see you at state!
The Final 4.
#1 Seed: Rogers Royals, 19-8.
How they got here: Defeated Sartell, 60-44 in 1st Round.
Key Players: Blake Dalluge(19 ppg.), Jaxson Fuller(12 ppg.), Treyvon Mix(11 ppg.)
About the Royals: The Royals are a shaky #1 seed. This section is so balanced that their really isn’t a favorite. At one point the Royals had lost four straight, but now have won four straight. They are a deep team, and Dalluge is a very good player.
Blake Dalluge, above, has been the consistent leading scorer this year for the Royals.
#2 Seed: STMA Knights, 13-14.
How they got here: Defeated Bemidji, 69-60 in the first round.
Key Players: Hudson Hochstedler(16 ppg.), Jeremiah Johnson(15 ppg.), and Jordan Holm(13 ppg.)
About the Knights: This team can play with anyone! The Knights have a win over Edina, and lost 111-109 in ot to #2 Hopkins. The trio of Hochstedler, Johnson and Holm is dynamic and if Luster has big games, this team is dangerous. Depth is an issue though.
Jordan Holm, above in white, has stepped up big time this year for the Knights.
#3 Seed: Buffalo Bison, 12-14.
How they got here: Defeated Brainerd, 63-49 in first round.
Key Players: Grady Guida(15 ppg.), Brody Wishart(13 ppg.), and Mitch Friesz(8 ppg.)
About the Bison: Buffalo limped into the playoffs losing 9 of 11 in the brutal Lake Conference and was having a tough time scoring, but most of the players are back from last years state team, and they know how to win in the postseason. You always have a chance when you play defense like the Bison do.
Brody Wishart, above, had another big year, and is hoping to lead the Bison back to state.
#5 Seed: Moorhead Spuds, 14-13.
How they got here: Defeated Sauk Rapids Rice, 73-72 in first round.
Key Players: Dylan Zimmerman(21 ppg.), DJ Smith(18 ppg.), and Reign Zarazua(11 ppg.)
About the Spuds: Moorhead has been up and down all season, but return so key players from last years section final team and know how to play this time of year. There is no depth for the Spuds, so they need to stay out of foul trouble or they could be in trouble.
D.J. Smith, above, has played a critical role for the Spuds again this year at point guard.
Bottom Line: Who knows? The Bison thrashed #1 seed Rogers on the road earlier this season, but slumped down the finish line. For STMA this all new to them. It was a breakthrough year, but are they ready for the big time? Rogers is the #1 seed, but hasn’t looked impressive at times this season. Moorhead reached the section finals last year, returns a nice core from last year, but has been inconsistent with no depth. My thoughts? If you have no skin in the game, just enjoy what should be an unpredictable but fun ride in a wide open section.
