Class AAAA Preview

<p><strong>10 a.m. #1 seed, #1 ranked Hopkins (29-0) vs. unseeded, #17 Minnetonka (16-12). </strong></p> <p>Well, we got our wish (not Minnetonka’s wish but our wish) for a rematch of last year’s state final won by the Skippers. Hopkins got a scare in the section final vs. Wayzata, trailing 41-29 at halftime. But the Royals roared back to take the lead at 44-43 (meaning, they opened the 2nd half on a 15-2 run), and they won 81-74. Tonka edged Edina 45-40.</p> <p>There’s not going to be an upset this year. Hopkins has the 2 best players in the tournament in guards Paige Bueckers and Raena Suggs plus an underrated front court with Dlayla Chakolis and Angie Hammond, and they’ve already beaten Tonka 77-49 and 80-54. Tonka has a D1 commit in guard Megan Walker, but that’s not enough. <strong>Our pick: Hopkins 68 Minnetonka 53.</strong></p> <p><strong>12 noon, #4 seed, #6 ranked Park Center (24-5) vs. #5 seed, #7 ranked Eastview (23-6). </strong></p> <p>This is of course the feature game of Day 1 of the state tournament. The Pirates are in their 4th straight state tournament—as are seniors Mikayla Hayes, Danielle Schaub and Ann Simonet. They won the Class AAA title in 2014 and 2015, then gave Hopkins a good game in the 1st round last year before losing 81-69.</p> <p>Eastview’s last section loss was to Lakeville North, 46-42, on March 11, 2011. They have finished 4th, 3rd, 1st, 2nd and 3rd at state since then.</p> <p>We had these 2 teams rated #1 (Eastview) and #2 (Park Center) in pre-season, but obviously we overrated both and we underrated Hopkins (whom we had at #3). Or, did we? The 2 teams have a final chance to make a statement, but it begins by winning on Tuesday.</p> <p>Eastview went “just” 11-4 in January and early February, including a shocker (loss) to Shakopee. Park Center started just 5-4 early with a surprise loss to East Ridge. But, the 2 are a combined 18-2 since February 1. The Pirates have 6-2 Mikayla Hayes and a bevy of guards—smaller guards—while Eastview has great size, especially in 6-2 wing and Kansas State recruit Rachel Ranke. Size vs. speed is oversimplifying, but it’s one factor. <strong>Our pick: Park Center 55 Eastview 54.</strong></p> <p><strong>2 p.m. #2 seed, #2 ranked Elk River (29-0) vs. unseeded, #14 White Bear Lake (20-9). </strong></p> <p>The Bears find a way to win, working overtime to defeat East Ridge in Section 4. But, Elk is a steep hill to climb. Gabi Haack has been as good as any senior in the state this year, and she’s got plenty of support from Ava Kramer, young Lydia Haack and more. The Bears are a cast of thousands. They’ll (okay, seriously) go 9 to 11 deep (not really a thousand, it just seems that way) and try to wear you out. I don’t think it will work on Tuesday. <strong>Our pick: Elk River 62 White Bear 54.</strong></p> <p><strong>4 p.m. #3 seed, #3 ranked Lakeville North (27-2) vs. unseeded, #19 Andover (20-9). </strong></p> <p>Senior guards Temi Carda of North and Joli Daninger of Andover will square off next year at Creighton and DePaul, but first a little detour to Target Center. Carda has the better supporting cast. Both have some size, while North also has a second senior guard in Caitlynn Peterson, who has played the best ball of her life the past month. <strong>Our pick: Lakeville North 67 Andover 54.</strong></p> <p><strong>Semi-Finals</strong></p> <p>First, don’t forget about the new consolation round at Concordia (St. Paul). Eastview should advance to the final—and, then, win the final—while White Bear and Andover are a tossup.</p> <p>In the championship round, we like Hopkins over Park Center 71-62, and Lakeville North over Elk River 64-63.</p> <p><strong>Finals</strong></p> <p>Like we said, Eastview 5th, then Park Center takes 3rd. In the championship final, again, I don’t see an upset in the making this year, though Lakeville North obviously is a worthy opponent, a worthy finalist. Still, <strong>Hopkins 69 Lakeville North 63.</strong></p> <p><strong>All-Tournament</strong></p> <p>The top 5 players in the tournament are:</p> <p>Paige Bueckers, Hopkins, 5-9, freshman, guard</p> <p>Raena Suggs, Hopkins, 5-8, junior, guard</p> <p>Gabi Haack, Elk River, 5-9, senior, guard</p> <p>Mikayla Hayes, Park Center, 6-2, senior, post</p> <p>Rachel Ranke, Eastview, 6-2, senior, wing</p> <p>The next 5 include:</p> <p>Temi Carda, Lakeville North, 5-7, senior, guard</p> <p>Dlayla Chakolis, Hopkins, 5-9, sophomore, forward</p> <p>Angie Hammond, Hopkins, 6-0, junior, post</p> <p>Megan Walker, Minnetonka, 5-10, junior, guard</p> <p>Ann Simonet, Park Center, 5-7, wing</p>