2017-18 Section 3AAAA Preview

This is the 22nd preview in my 2017-2018 season preview series.  Continuing our look at the class AAAA sections, we move on to section 3.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Section 3AAAA (8 teams)
Defending Champion: Apple Valley

Tournament Schedule:
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, March 6th
Semifinals: Friday, March 9th at Farmington
Finals: Thursday, March 15th at Farmington

Predicted Seeding

1. Apple Valley
2. Eastview
3. Burnsville
4. Hastings
5. Park
6. Henry Sibley
7. Rosemount
8. Eagan

No new teams in the section for this 2 year cycle.  Besides Apple Valley, I can't see more than 1 other team in the section having a winning record, just like last year.  Its likely Eastview.  So they get the 2 seed.  Everybody else in the section I have picked in the bottom half of their league.  Burnsville is clearly best of the rest and then a total mess for the last home game.  Hastings, Park and Sibley will fight for that as each have a top player returning.  Rosemount and Eagan are rebuilding.  Not a ton of separation here between 4 and 8 so expect a scrambled mess.

Sleeper: Henry Sibley.  They have talented point guard Reshaun Satar returning and a couple of experienced juniors coming back.  That gives them the best chance of the lower group to jump out.

Section Winner: Apple Valley. The defending state champs have most of the roster back and the top player in the state in Tre Jones.  Plus its a terribly weak section so no problems here.