Section 3AAA Preview

<p>Simley has a lot of very impressive young talent, as you know, and St. Croix Lutheran has bumped up from Class AA to Section 3AAA. So, on paper, Holy Angels looks like it might get pushed hard in its effort to repeat in this section. But, upon closer inspection, I don’t think so.</p> <p>No offense to Simley, of course, or to St. Croix, or to the other 5 teams in 3AAA. But if you have not looked at Holy Angels roster recently, take another look.</p> <p>Center—Destinee Oberg, 6-2, junior, 17 ppg-11 reb-2 ast-2 stl. I know some folks are down on Destinee Oberg. But, meanwhile, back on planet earth, she remains one of Minnesota’s best players, with incredible hands and feet and mobility in the lane. She hits her shots from all angles, she strips people on defense with her quick hands. OK, so she’s not the first player down the court after a change of posession. Ho hum. In the right system, she is going to be a great college player. At Holy Angels she is a matchup nightmare.</p> <p>Power Forward—Kaylee Van Der Werf, 6-2, sophomore, 8 ppg-5 reb. Great athlete with good basketball skills. The sky is the limit though, yes, she needs to be more active.</p> <p>Small Forward—Riley Thalhuber, 5-10, senior, 8 ppg-8 reb. Strong, active, aggressive but much more under control than she used to be. Great role player.</p> <p>Shooting Guard—Megan Meyer, 5-8, senior, 9 ppg-2 stls. Scores mostly in transition and at the rim. Very savvy veteran.</p> <p>The big question is who’s the 1? Maybe Emma Henry, 5-7, sophomore, 4 ppg, 1.7 steals. Or how about Isabelle Henry, 5-7, sophomore (yes, they’re identical twins), 4 ppg, 1.5 assists. Or maybe Frankie Vascallero, 5-9, sophomore, 5 ppg-1.6 stls, bigger and stronger than the Henrys. Or, Alex Walker, 5-9, junior, 3.5 ppg. The Stars will miss point guard Megan Thompson, but at least they have some options for her successor.</p> <p>And if you’re bothered because the 2, Meyer, isn’t essentially a bomber, well, 6-0 junior Emma Mastre is, a bomber, that is. Her range is equal to just about anybody in the state, and I don’t think anybody throws the ball up so high into the clouds as she does. When it comes down through the net, you feel like there’s snow on the ball.</p> <p>So, this is one powerful roster, and I can’t see anybody, not even Simley, knocking Holy Angels off this year.</p> <p><strong>All-Section 3AAA</strong></p> <p><strong>Center—</strong>Oberg</p> <p><strong>Power Forward—</strong>T.T. Danso, Simley, 5-11, sophomore, 9 ppg-8 boards. Stronger, not quite as mobile as Van Der Werf, but mainly Danso does a better job of staying in the game, of making plays and being around the ball.</p> <p><strong>Small Forward—</strong>Emma Ogitchida, St. Paul Harding, 5-10, senior, 17 ppg-6 reb-4 asts-2 stls. Great leader, hard worker, can play inside and out.</p> <p><strong>Point Guard—</strong>Audrey Gadison, St. Croix Lutheran, 5-7, senior, 16 ppg. Gym rat, instinctive leader and playmaker. Headed for Air Force after this.</p> <p><strong>Combo Guard—</strong>Ravyn Miles, Simley, 5-6, sophomore, 10 ppg-3 asts-2 stls. Versatile guard, can score or dish.</p> <p><strong>2nd Team</strong></p> <p><strong>Center—</strong>Caitlyn Schreier, Visitation, 6-0, senior, 13 ppg-10 reb. Strong enough, quick and mobile for her size. Scores inside mostly, but she can hit from outside, too.</p> <p><strong>Power Forward—</strong>Van Der Werf</p> <p><strong>Small Forward—</strong>Thalhuber</p> <p><strong>Combo Guard—</strong>Sydney Stensgard, Simley, 5-7, sophomore, 9 ppg. Coach’s kid, high IQ.</p> <p><strong>Combo Guard—</strong>Breanna Wendland, Richfield, 5-7, senior, 13 ppg. Attacks off the dribble, scores inside and out.</p> <p><strong>Stock Raisers</strong></p> <p><strong>Center—??</strong></p> <p><strong>Forward—??</strong></p> <p><strong>Point Guard—</strong>Isabelle Henry, Holy Angels, 5-7, sophomore, 4 ppg-1.5 asts</p> <p><strong>Combo Guard—</strong>Emma Henry, Holy Angels, 5-7, sophomore, 4 ppg-1.75 stls</p> <p><strong>Shooting Guard</strong>—Frankie Vascallero, Holy Angels, 5-9, sophomore, 5 ppg-1.6 stls</p>