Top-ranked girls' basketball teams sprinkled among sections

The girls' basketball section tournaments, which begin this week, could provide a bit of a twist this year: The teams that fans would like to see in the state tournament actually could get there.

In the largest two classes (4A and 3A), seven of the eight sections are represented in the top 10 teams as ranked by Minnesota Basketball News. The only section without teams in either poll is Section 1, but it has teams in both classes with more than 20 victories this season.

Here is a look at some top sections in the metro area:

Section 2: The deepest field among the large schools. Lakeville South is the No. 5 seed with a 17-9 mark. Bloomington Kennedy (20-6) is the top seed, followed by Shakopee (21-4), Chaska (20-6) and Chanhassen (18-8). Bloomington Kennedy lost to Lakeville South 47-42 in its most recent matchup. The Eagles were the Class 4A tournament runner-up to Hopkins a year ago.

Section 3: No. 1-ranked Eastview (25-1) is the class of the group. Three Suburban East Conference schools — Cretin-Derham Hall (17-9), East Ridge (19-7) and Park of Cottage Grove (19-6) — likely hold the best chance to upset the Lightning. Coach Melissa Guebert's roster only has three seniors, and the program has won at least 20 games for eight consecutive seasons.

Section 4: A second group with three schools having at least 20 victories. They are No. 1 seed White Bear Lake (23-3), No. 2 Roseville (20-6) and No. 3 St. Paul Central (21-5). Roseville defeated White Bear Lake 56-42 in the final regular-season game.

Section 6: Three-time defending Class 4A champion Hopkins nearly has as many losses (three) this year as in its previous three seasons combined (four). But don't count out the No. 2-ranked Royals (23-3). Coach Brian Cosgriff's unit is usually at its best when it has to refocus after a late-season conference setback. The Royals dropped a 61-55 game at No. 2 seeded and No. 3-ranked Minnetonka on Feb. 14.

Section 6: The top two seeds — No. 1 Minneapolis Washburn (21-6) and No. 2 Benilde-St. Margaret's (20-6) — are each led by a Division I recruit, Millers forward Chase Coley and Red Knights guard Grace Coughlin. Who will lead their team to the top, Iowa recruit Coley or Gophers recruit Coughlin?