1. DeLaSalle staying put
DeLaSalle, a private school located near downtown Minneapolis going for an unprecedented sixth consecutive boys' basketball state tournament title, will remain in Class 3A for at least the next two seasons. Islanders coach Dave Thorson said he and the school's administration did not apply to opt-up and play among the Class 4A schools with larger enrollments. The last team to hand the Islanders a postseason defeat? No. 5 seed Columbia Heights in 2011.
2. Players to watch
Goanar Mar, DeLaSalle's 6-7 senior forward, averages 20.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He is a Mr. Basketball finalist, and earned Star Tribune All-Metro First Team honors. Big Lake makes its state tournament debut behind Tanner Teige, the Hornets' career leader with 270 assists. Teammates Austin Miller set the single-season scoring record with 507 points. Nathan Rund and Matthew Monke of Fergus Falls both surpassed 1,000 career points. Austin's Both Gach is 48 points from 1,000. St. Thomas Academy junior Sam Vascellaro is the son of WCCO News anchors Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Santaniello.
3. Overcoming adversity
Born deaf, St. Thomas Academy senior Eddie Perry wears a cochlear implant in his left ear and a hearing aid in his right ear to hear during games. Perry, in his second full varsity basketball season, strengthens the Cadets' second unit. He signed with DePaul to play Division I soccer.
David La Vaque
