Boys’ basketball section tournaments heat up this week. With that in mind, here is a primer on some sections and games to keep an eye on:
• Class 4A, Section 2: Two of the top four teams in the latest Star Tribune rankings are on opposite sides of the bracket. Chaska, ranked No. 3 and seeded No. 2 in the section, and Eden Prairie, ranked No. 4 but seeded No. 1, have lost a combined eight games — and one loss for each was on the other’s home court. If the favorites all win in the quarterfinals, Chaska would face Edina and Eden Prairie would draw Shakopee in the semifinals. Neither of those opponents would be a pushover for the higher seed.
• Class 4A, Section 3: The top four seeds — No. 1 Eastview, No. 2 Eagan, No. 3 Apple Valley and No. 4 Lakeville South — are top-10 quality teams. Quarterfinals are Tuesday night, and if the seedings hold, the stage will be set for a great semifinal doubleheader Saturday at St. Olaf.
• Class 3A, Section 3: Top-seeded DeLaSalle — with its only losses to Eden Prairie, Chaska and Benilde-St. Margaret’s — is the clear favorite. But if the Islanders make the final, they might have to face one of the most explosive offensive players in the state in Columbia Heights senior Zach Lofton.
• Class 3A, Section 4: Despite a recent loss to Minneapolis Washburn, St. Paul Johnson is the clear favorite in this section. Before they stubbed their toe against Washburn, the Governors had won 13 consecutive games. They have not, however, played Hill-Murray, which has not lost since the middle of January. The Pioneers will need that momentum if they are to reach state.
Tag(s): Missota Hill-Murray Eden Prairie Edina Minneapolis Washburn Shakopee Benilde-St. Margaret's Columbia Heights Apple Valley Eagan Eastview Lakeville South St. Paul Johnson DeLaSalle Chaska Around the State Hub Exclusives Star Tribune Section 6AAA Section 4AAA Section 3AAA March Thru March Section 2AAAA Section 3AAAA