It could be a contrast of styles for No. 7 AA Braham (10-1) and Holy Family in the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic at Minnetonka. Led by Tyler Vaughan, the Bombers will rain three-pointers down on anyone – and hit more than their fair share. Meanwhile, Holy Family has an intimidating front court that could give Braham trouble in the paint. 

One year removed from five straight state visits (and three championships), Braham roared back into state by winning the Section 7AA title last winter.   Then in the state quarterfinals against Sibley East, the Bombers proved true to their name.

Braham trailed Sibley East 49-29 with just 6:01 remaining in the game before unleashing a shocking three-point barrage spurred by Vaughan and Ben Thiry. Thiry hit the game-tying three with 17 seconds left and the Bombers outscored East in overtime to win, 60-59.

Thiry (13.7 ppg) and Vaughan (29.0 ppg) and senior guard Erik Vavra (8.7 ppg) all return as starters from the tournament squad and will again make the Bombers the favorite to come out of Section 7AA. Vaughan is a natural scorer who has the smoothest three-point stroke in the state. Just a junior, he’s the player who ignites the Bombers’ engine. Thiry is a four-year starter who gets better every season. Vavra pressures the ball well on defense and can also hit the trey.

Braham also will get good minutes from senior guard Bret Cuda (8.3 ppg), a leader who is tough as nails on defense, Cameron Braund (10.0 ppg) and junior post Drew Klemz (8.3 ppg), another good outside shooter who is improving quickly.

In its 10^th year as a varsity program, Holy Family Catholic (8-4) welcomed a new coach this winter, as Joe Burger took over for Matt Thuli. He hopes to continue the success that Thuli brought to the program, coming off back-to-back seasons of 15 and 18 victories, respectively. So far so good, with eight victories in his first 12 games.

Senior guard Jeff Soule (11.5 ppg) is the leader of the backcourt, a great athlete who gets to the rim well and is a very good defender. He’s the only experienced guard, however, meaning the Fire must find a few players to take some of the pressure off Soule. That could include senior Bennett Smed (8.4 ppg).

The Fire look strong up front. Six-foot-9 junior Ryan Dahl (13.4 ppg) anchors the front court with great size and strength. He’s a double-double waiting to happen on any give night with his good hands and rebounding ability. Senior forwards Brian King (9.4 ppg) and Nick Pietrini (9.5 ppg) also add depth and experience.

At the Sweet 16 this past August, Vaughan may have set a facility three point record as he seemed to make three-pointers like others were making 3-footers.  Vaughan has a great feel for the game and an even prettier shooting stroke. He really fills up the boxscore, with 26.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 3.5 steals per game.

Dahl, a 6-foot-9 junior center, has terrific size and strength, which combined with his good hands make him a double-double machine waiting to happen. Averaged 9.7 points and 8.1 rebounds as a sophomore. Rebounds very well.