Boys' high school basketball section tournaments heat up this week. Here are a few sections to get you primed for the postseason run:
Class 4A, Section 3 Tyus and Joey.
Mention those names to local basketball enthusiasts and they'll know Apple Valley's Tyus Jones and Eastview's Joey King, two of the most prolific scorers in the metro. They dazzled to capacity crowds in two South Suburban Conference matchups this winter. Each team has to win its way to the championship still but a safe bet would be to get in line early for an anticipated third matchup in the section final on March 16 at Burnsville High School.
Class 4A, Section 6 It's traditionally been Hopkins and everybody else. When you win three big school state titles in a row, it tends to go that way. The Royals enter this year's postseason as the top-ranked team, with one stumble on its resume: an early-season loss to Benilde-St. Margaret's. They're 21-0 since, including a 7-0 mark against fellow section teams. The closest of those victories was by nine points to Wayzata. The Trojans have gone 2-6 since that loss.
Class 3A, Section 6 Nos. 1 and 2 in the section just so happen to be Nos. 1 and 2 in the state. Benilde-St. Margaret's missed out on the state field last year after a stunning section final loss to Waconia. The Red Knights are still seething after that one and it has shown all season: 24 wins in a row -- including that upset over Hopkins -- since a loss to Eastview. Waiting for a likely section final battle is Minneapolis Washburn. The Millers enter the postseason off a thrilling one-point victory over St. Paul Johnson in the Twin Cities game.
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