Section 5AA Boys Basketball Tournament
No. 11 HLWW at No. 6 SW Christian
Thursday, March 9 at SW Christian, 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE TEAMS:
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Lakers
9-6 overall
6-8 conference record (Central MN Christian)
4-6 in last 10 games
KEY PLAYERS:
Zach Uter (Forward, 6’2, Junior) – Uter has been the most consistent player for the Lakers this season. Uter can make his presence felt on both ends of the floor as he’s a true two-way player. On offense, Uter is a great scorer with a nice touch. He can also get his teammates involved as well as he is a great passer in tight areas.
Brad Bickmann (Forward, 6’2, Senior) – Bickmann is what makes the Lakers go. His toughness gets the Lakers going and is a big key for them. He can drive the ball to the basket, as well as dish off to his teammates. Bickmann can also knock down the 3-pointer as well, making him a tough matchup for his opponents.
X-FACTOR:
Brock Bangasser (Center, 6’5, Sophomore) – Bangasser is the big man inside for the Lakers. He’s very capable of posting a double-double consistently, and is a big x-factor for the Lakers. When Bangasser is playing well inside, it opens things up on the perimeter for players like Chris Zander and Cameron Decker.
TEAM OUTLOOK:
The Lakers have been up and down all season long. They have some bad losses on the year, but have also played some tough teams well and managed to win some close games. It will all depend on which team shows up that will determine if the Lakers can pull of the upset and keep their season alive.
It won’t be easy, but the Lakers have a chance. If they take care of the ball and defend well, there’s no reason they can’t pull off the upset. If they can get Bangasser and Uter going inside, that should open things up for players on the perimeter to get the offense rolling.
The Lakers have struggled to score a lot this season. If they can keep the game in the high fifties or low sixties, they have a shot. If the Stars are able to score early and often, it could spell trouble for the Lakers.
SW Christian Stars
16-9 overall record
9-2 conference record (MN Christian Athletic Association)
6-4 in last 10 games
KEY PLAYERS:
Trey Sandness, Guard, 6’1, Senior) – Sandness is a pure scorer. He’s averaging over 11 points a game is tied for the first on the team in 3-pointers made with 45. Sandness is just one part of a balanced scoring attack that the Stars send out.
Max Steensland, Guard, 5’9, Sophomore) – Steensland is another one of those pure scorers for the Stars. As a sophomore, he leads the team in scoring, averaging over 14 points a game. Steensland, along with Sandness, leads the team in 3-pointers made. That duo can light up the scoreboard in a hurry.
X-FACTOR:
Spencer Weiss (Guard, 6’4, Senior) – At 6-foot-4, Weiss is a tough matchup on the perimeter. He’s averaging over seven points a game, and if he gets going, the Stars can be tough to defend.
TEAM OUTLOOK:
The Stars are an experience and talented bunch. With six seniors on the roster, combined with some talented underclassmen, the Stars could be a tough out. They’ve won 19 games this year and are no stranger to close games. Of their 19 wins, nine have came by 10 or less points.
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