Class 5, 6 and 7AAA Preview

<p>Well, we’re kind of running out of time on our 2017-2018 high school previews, what with the season kick-off, or, rather, Tip-Off coming up this weekend at Hamline and St. Thomas and then at the Breakdown Tip-Off the following Saturday. And, in Class AAA, he fact is you&#39;ve got some obvious and fairly heavy favorites in the various northern sections.</p> <p><strong>Section 5AAA</strong></p> <p>It’s more than possible that Zimmerman would have played in last year’s tournament had 5-11 power forward Naomi Hagstrom, now a senior, not injured her knee a couple weeks before the playoff season began. She is just about their only size and strength inside, though it’s true that forward Ilea May is a great rebounder for her size (5-7). But, now, with Hagstrom hopefully back 100 percent, Zimmerman has now lost guard Danielle Williams, one of the state’s top assist and steal girls, to graduation.</p> <p>But combo guard Alyssa Daugherty is back with her 19 ppg. She is quick and effective in transition and she buries the 3. If she and Hagstrom are healthy, a state seed is not beyond their grasp.</p> <p>Willmar took advantage of Hagstrom’s injury to surprise Zim last year, and they be improved this year with starters Cayle Hovland, Hannah Johnson and Jordyn Swoboda back. They’re big and strong and deliberate, and they could give Zim trouble again this year, but I like the Thunder in the end.</p> <p>Becker and Monticello should also get the other 1st round wins, but Zim and Willmar should win their semi-finals fairly easily.</p> <p><strong>Section 6AAA</strong></p> <p>The gods are smiling on Robbinsdale Cooper. Just as the talent pool has gotten better and deeper, now the Hawks drop down from Class AAAA (Section 6AAAA, no less) to Class AAA. They’re not the Aja and Kierra Wheeler show. There’s too much talent to say that, but Aja is the point guard who takes care of the ball and also scores 14 ppg, while Kierra (just a freshman, by the way) is already one of Minnesota’s most relentless rebounders, and she also scored 8 ppg as an 8th grader.</p> <p>But, there’s more in senior guards Ja’Hyia Gaston and Ty Longs, along with Alexis Nance and Kiara Coops inside. Big (up front), quick (in the backcourt), deep. This team can beat you a lot of different ways.</p> <p><strong>Section 7AAA</strong></p> <p>Grand Rapids lost a couple of games at state last year. I don’t want to put a target on their back, (well, except it’s already there anyway), but they should be back next March and this time they will win a game or 2. Or 3.</p> <p>Heaven Hamling is one of the state’s top half-dozen 1s, and she is equally adept at playmaking and at scoring it herself. Center Meara Beighley and forward Hannah DeMars are also among the best in Class AAA.</p> <p>But, it must be acknowledged that this section is probably tougher than it’s been in awhile with Chisago Lakes and Hermantown a the primary challengers to Grand Rapids. Chisago get 6-2 senior forward Carmen Backes after she lost most of the past 2 years to a bad back and an injured knee. Ms. Basketball is not out of the question if she’s healthy. Hermantown has imposing size with 6-2 post Ellie Gamradt, 6-1 forward Taylor Vold and 6-0 guard Sierra Bolen.</p> <p>And North Branch and Hibbing and Cloquet are all going to be competitive. North Branch features volleyball star Cianna Selbitschka, Hibbing has 5-5 Abbey McDonald, who does everything from the 1-spot. And Cloquet has 6-3 post Carmen Foss. But Cooper has more, lots more.</p>