1 RACE FOR CLASS 4A TITLE IS WIDE OPEN
There have been four champions — Lakeville North, Apple Valley, Osseo and Hopkins — the past four years in Class 4A. Will that number reach five in 2015? At least seven schools could continue the streak: Armstrong, Champlin Park, Cretin-Derham Hall, East Ridge, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove and Minnetonka. Only Maple Grove and Minnetonka (19 victories) didn't win at least 20 games last season.
2 KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
With the end of the Tyus Jones era at Apple Valley, time for younger brother, freshman Tre, to take over at the point. "A Jones has been our starting point guard for six years now," Eagles coach Zach Goring said. "Tyus for five and now Tre. It could be nine years." Tre is part of a young squad that has only four seniors on the roster.
3 ANOTHER TOP GUN GOES ACADEMY ROUTE
Minnesota high school basketball enthusiasts will go a second consecutive season without being able to watch one of the state's best. Alex Illikainen, a 6-foot-8 senior forward and a Wisconsin recruit, left Grand Rapids to attend Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. A year ago Rashad Vaughn, now UNLV's leading scorer as a freshman, left Cooper to attend Findlay Prep in Las Vegas his senior year.
4 LENDING A HELPING HAND
Former Gophers guard Arriel McDonald is an assistant coach with Providence Academy. Lamar Detert, the former Rogers girls' basketball mentor, is the head coach. Detert averaged more than 20 victories per season for five years in his previous stint. The Lions are coming off a 16-11 season, their first winning year since the school opened in 2001. Expect a trend to start.
5 CAN HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?
Glencoe-Silver Lake last appeared in the state tournament in 2001. That team's starting lineup was comprised of four football players and one cross-country runner who were all participants in fall state tournaments. This season's squad has the same athletic makeup. It's coming off a 17-12 season with an experienced roster. Coach Robb DeCorsey has visions of 2001.
