Section 2AAA Preview

The conventional wisdom in these parts is that Hutchinson, a section champion in 2016, and Waseca, section champ last year, will battle it out for the championship of Section 2AAA. Hutch, of course, won Section 6AAA the previous year, but now they move into 2AAA while Faribault and Jordan move out. Returning in 2AAA are Mankato East, Mankato West, Marshall, New Ulm and Worthington. And, looking at these rosters, you know, this could be a very tough section. In addition to the 2 faves, Mankato West, Marshall and Worthington could cause some trouble as well. But, if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past few years it’s that winning begets winning, and Hutch, Waseca and Marshall have done the most winning over about X number of years. 1. Waseca 23-8, lost to Holy Angels 64-47 in state tournament QF 2. Hutchinson 22-6, lost to Orono 66-62 in Section 6AAA final OK, we’ll get on board with Hutch and Waseca but let me just add that Worthington, Mankato West and Marshall are not far behind. So, between Hutch and Waseca, you’ve got Brianna Highum (5-10, junior, 6 ppg) and Liz Lansink (5-11, senior, 4 ppg) in the post; slight advantage Jays. You’ve got 5-10 junior Madison Gehloff (12 ppg) and 5-9 sophomore Hannah Piotter (2 ppg) at the forwards for Waseca, and Gabby Hahn (5-9, senior, 9 ppg) for Hutch; again, advantage Jays. Gehloff, in particular, is a great shooter including from downtown. You’d have to give Hutch the edge at the guards, however, mainly because of 5-11 senior point guard Kenzie Rensch (11 ppg). She’s also a shut-down defender. Elizabeth Wortz, Madison Froning and Macee McGill provide skills and depth. Waseca counters with another long-range shooting specialist in 5-8 sophomore Gus Boyer, and point guard Taylor Hiller (5-7, senior). Both score 9 ppg. Slight advantage, Tigers. All in all, Waseca’s top 5 return 38 ppg, Hutch’s 35. That just about covers it. And, both teams have been known to slow it down when the going gets tough. A 38-35 section final is not out of the question. 3. Worthington 16-9, lost to New Ulm 74-34 in section QF 4. Marshall 13-14, lost to Faribault 37-28 in section QF Worthington has spent most of the past decade trying to catch up to Marshall. 16-9 is better than 13-14, but on the ground they split a pair of games, the visitor winning each time last year. Marshall is not going to make things easy for the Trojans out west. But Worthington has some very impressive talent led by 6-0 sophomore Nyamer Diaw, formerly of Marshall, in the post. Then there’s senior forwards Emma Thuringer and Anneke Weg (19 ppg between them). The guard corps is led by sophomores Megan Huisman and Payton Sauerbrei, and there’s depth at every position. Marshall played at state just 2 years ago but has fallen on what for them qualifies as hard times. Still, 5 girls are back who scored 7 points each including forwards Erica Jones and Whitney Schwartz, and guards Maddie Marks, Kari Sueker and Lenei Estrada. Worhtington has 74 points returning, Marshall 44, yet somehow I think these 2 are pretty even. 5. Mankato West 11-17, lost to Waseca 46-42 in section SF 7. Mankato East 8-19, lost to Waseca 55-41 in section QF OK, here are 2 teams that a parallel only in being located in Mankato. West should be vastly improved with guards Ashley Gustavson and Emily Veroeven scoring 26 ppg between them last year. Natalie Harmon is solid inside, Holly Wiste a third option outside. East, on the other hand, lost a lot of talent from last year, but they hadn’t been successful anyway. The long term looks pretty good with freshman post Lexi Karge leading he way. She already plays like a senior. And, junior guard Natalie Schisel can fill it up. Still West has 48 points back, East just 30. 6. New Ulm 23-6, lost to Waseca 61-56 in section final From 2nd to 6th? Really? Well, the section has improved. But, more to the point, New Ulm was pretty close to a 2-girl band last year and only half of them are back. That’s Joey Batt, 5-6, junior point guard. She could be the best player in this conference, but she just doesn’t have enough help, unless forwards Morgan Eikanger and Iyanna Weiland pick it up pretty dramatically. Guard Meleah Reinhart scored 27 ppg last year and she is already started at SW State this year. That’s a big loss. All-Section 2AAA Center—Nyamer Diaw, Worthington, 6-0, sophomore, 13 ppg Forward—Madison Gehloff, Waseca, 5-10, junior, 12 ppg Point Guard—Joey Batt, New Ulm, 5-6, junior, 16 ppg Combo Guard—Kenzie Rensch, Hutch, 5-10, senior, 11 ppg Shooting Guard—Ashley Gustavson, Mankato West, 5-8, junior, 16 ppg 2nd Team Center—Lexi Karge, Mankato East, 6-2, freshman, 3 ppg Power Forward—Emma Thuringer, Worthington, 5-10, senior, 12 ppg Small Forward—Gabby Hahn, Hutchinson, 5-9, senior, 9 ppg Point Guard—Taylor Hiller, Waseca, 5-7, senior, 9 ppg Shooing Guard—Gus Boyer, Waseca, 5-7, sophomore, 9 ppg Stock Raisers Forward—Rebecca Alwal, Worthington, sophomore, 7 ppg Point Guard—Holly Wiste, Mankato West, sophomore, 6 ppg Combo Guard—Morgan Huisman, Worthington, sophomore, 11 ppg Shooting Guard—Mackenzie Schweim, Mankato East, 8th grade, 5 ppg Shooting Guard—Holly Wiste, Mankato West, sophomore, 6 ppg