US BANK BRACKET
Burnsville (5-4) has plenty of experience, with three guys who have been at least three-year starters (Joe Morris, three years; Jake Ruffin, three years; Brett Shepley, four years).
East Ridge (9-1)prides itself on its blue-collar defense, as well as 6-3 Sid Tomes, a 25-point scorer who is headed to play at Air Force.
John Marshall (8-1)has the most talented team it's had in years, led by the Hurt brothers — 6-7 junior Michael (21 ppg., 8.4 rpg.) and 6-8 eighth-grader Matthew (16.2 ppg., 5.6 rpg.) — as well as tough 6-4 senior center Ross Faber (12 ppg., 5.2 rpg.).
Osseo (5-4)has dominated the Rotary tournament for years, but lost three Division I players to graduation and may have its hands full in this tough bracket.
ADVERTISEMENT
EVERSON BRACKET
Goodhue (5-2) is one of the more balanced teams in the tournament, with four players averaging at least 8.2 ppg. (Tyler Schumacher, Jacob McNamara, Calvin Peterson, Jacob Pasch).
Lewiston-Altura (3-7)has gotten lots of points from 6-3 junior center Cullin Neek (23 ppg.), as well as had three straight wins followed by three straight loss.
Mayo (6-3)has its best player in 6-9 forward Dan Jech (23 ppg., 11 rpg.) since Jordan Hicks and Lucas Kuipers were suited up in green.
Woodbury (2-7)is having an atypical season as the traditional basketball power has just two wins, though when it wins it wins by a lot.
ROTARY BRACKET
Lourdes (5-2) has one of the tournament's top scorers in senior in Nick Hanson, who already has a 32-point night to his credit.
St. Anthony Village (4-7)is one win away from last year's win total, and is paced by Nick Peterson, a junior center averaging 13.2 ppg.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rushford-Peterson (7-1)is used to bright lights as a perennial state tournament qualifier and with a No. 4 Class A ranking this season.
White Bear Lake (4-5)has dropped its last four games but has a nice player in 6-3 senior Andy Lockwood (17 ppg.).
WADDELL AND REED BRACKET
Century (1-9) gives up lots of offensive rebounds on account of its lack of height (tallest starter just 6-foot-3).
Plainview-Elgin-Millville (5-4)doesn't have the offensive firepower it's used to, which explains losses to Dover-Eyota, Southland and Chatfield.
Byron (5-3)has won three of its last four games and rides balance with three players averaging near double figures (Andrew Sorenson, 13.2; Kip Knutson, 10.3, Nathan Lillestol, 9.5).
Bloomington Kennedy (2-6)is starting over after having graduated 10 players last year, but is feeling good about talented freshman point guard Markel Aune, among other youngsters.
— Pat Ruff
