The girls basketball regular season has come to a close. But with that a new season begins, the playoffs! Let's take a look at where each of our local teams stand and who they'll play, when, where and what times.
Section 5A East
Braham #1 seed 20-6, 11-1 section record
The Bombers finished 10-2 in conference play right behind Pine City. They started off the year 10-0. Their 6 losses this season came against bigger schools, or teams who are top 10 in the state. The Bombers seem to be the favorite in the East side of the section. They'll host the winner of McGregor vs St. John's Prep on Thursday at 7pm.
Ogilvie #3 seed 15-11, 5-6 section record
The Lions finished 3rd in the Great River Conference. The score of some of their losses doesn't tell the whole story. This team has been in every game this year. The playoffs are sure to bring out another level of this teams play. They will host a familiar opponent on Thursday at 7pm, East Central.
East Central #6 seed 7-19, 3-7 section record
The Eagles will have their work cut out for them in the playoffs. They'll be on the road in the first round to Ogilvie. But the second game against the Lions was a much closer game. They'll look for the upset on the road Thursday.
Mille Lacs #7 seed 3-20, 2-10 section record
It was a tough season for the Raiders and it would be east to count them out early. But they may have the matchup they want to begin the playoffs. They'll travel to Barnum on Thursday, a team who they only lost to by 8 points during the regular season.
Section 6AA
Pine City #4 seed 20-6, 5-2 section record
If you looked at their schedule at the beginning of the year you may have said it'd be tough to get 20 wins, but they did. They lost six game but those losses were to teams who were or currently are ranked in the top 10 in the state. They've taken those losses as lessons and have looked the part. Pine City looks to make a deep playoff push, and it begins on Thursday. They host Rush City at 7pm.
Foley #7 seed 15-10, 7-8 section record
The Falcons have quietly put together an impressive season. Finishing 2nd in the conference and getting a home playoff game. They played a very physically demanding schedule and it's paid off. They'll host Eden Valley-Watkins on Thursday at 7pm. These two teams met in the regular season opener with Foley falling. But the Falcons are a much improved team since then.
Milaca #8 seed 14-12, 6-8 section record
The Wolves are another team who's schedule was physical. They also ended the season with 6 straight away games. But you can never count this team out they're one of the most battle tested and will put that to work on Thursday. They'll host Spectrum a team who they beat earlier in the season.
Rush City #13 seed 10-13, 1-7 section record
The Tigers will be an interesting team to follow. A team who's record doesn't reflect how good they are. They have been competitive in nearly every game played, and have been one ore two bounces away from grabbing a few upsets. They'll face a familiar opponent in Pine City on Thursday.
Mora #15 seed 3-23, 0-12 section record
It wasn't the season the Mustangs had hoped for. But they've faced alot of good teams and have played them all very well to the final buzzer. They could be a team that pulls off a first round upset from their ability to fight. It'll be a tall task on Thursday as they head to Sauk Centre.
Section 7AA
Hinckley-Finlayson #12 seed 12-14, 2-1 section record
It was a tough 2-7 start to the season for the Jaguars, but they finished the season 10-7. They went on two 4 game win streaks in the 2nd half of the season, with two wins over class AAA Duluth Denfeld. The Jags are another team where it wouldn't be too surprising to see them get an upset win round one. They'll travel to Esko on Thursday to play at 6pm.
Section 5AAA
Princeton #5 seed 9-17, 5-6 section record
Anytime you play in the section where you have a perennial power house and state entrant in Becker it's bound to be tough. The Tigers never shied away from the competition though. Their section is made up from conference opponents so they'll play a familiar face when they play Tuesday evening at 7:15pm. Chisago Lakes will be that opponent.
Section 7AAA
North Branch #5 seed 5-21, 1-4 section record
The Vikings section is interesting to say the least. They are the southern most team in it and they travel over an hour for any section games. But this section has been full of upsets in years past, the Vikes will look for one on Tuesday night in Hibbing when they start play at 6pm.
Section 7AAAA
Cambridge-Isanti #5 seed 19-7, 3-2 section record
The Bluejackets finished with the best record in the section, but still sit as the #5 seed. They'll travel to Andover on Wednesday for their game at 7pm. The Bluejackets have a great chance to run the tables and get back to the state tournament for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.
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