2A story lines

1. Brooklyn Center led by two sophomores

The Centaurs played together as a team in the spring and summer after last season. The end result is their first state tournament berth since 1982, back when there were only two classes. The Centaurs (21-8) are among the favorites after upsetting No. 1-ranked Minneapolis North 81-76 in the Section 5 championship, earning the No. 2 seed behind Minnehaha Academy. They are led by sophomore guards Lu'cye Patterson (22.7 points per game) and Rudwan Tahir, both three-year starters, and junior forward Adreone Sprinkles. Brooklyn Center coach Matthew McCollister is also the head coach of the Tanzanian men's and women's national teams.

2. Plenty of size on display: 7-3, 6-11, 6-10 ...

If you want to watch size in the paint and behind the three-point arc, the Class 2A field offers plenty: Breckenridge 6-8 junior Noah Christensen, Minnewaska Area 6-8 junior Shawn Carsten, Minnehaha Academy 6-10 freshman Chet Holmgren and Jordan 6-11 senior Andrew Niebuhr. But Esko sports the tallest of all in 7-3 senior Adam Trapp. Christensen averages 20.2 points per game, while Trapp is the school's all-time leader in blocked shots and averages 16.6 points per game.

3. Don't give up on the comeback Lakers

Minnewaska Area's roster consists of seven seniors, veteran leadership it relied on in Section 3 tournament play. It trailed by nine, 16 and 13 points in its last three games before rallying for victories — one in overtime and the other two by two points each. First up for the Lakers (21-7) is No. 4-rated Caledonia (26-4).

Ron Haggstrom