Several Local Teams Figure to Make Runs at State Titles

For many, “March Madness” is a reference to the popular annual college basketball tournament. But March madness is also an apt description for Minnesota high school sports at the moment, as state tournament season is in full swing.

With that in mind, St. Louis Park Patch brings you a quick guide of what’s going on — and whether any local teams or athletes are in the running.

Boys swimming: St. Louis Park junior Erik McCague in the Class AA 100-yard butterfly preliminaries on Friday night, which will send him to Saturday's consolation finals. Meanwhile, Benilde-St. Margaret’s swimmers Jack McGinn and Parker Johnson .

Boys hockey: St. Louis Park will not be represented at the Xcel Energy Center March 9-12. The St. Louis Park Orioles lost in the first round of the section playoffs, and Benilde-St. Margaret’s — which entered the sections ranked No. 5 in the state — got by Wayzata. The state tournament features two brackets: Class A for smaller schools, and Class AA for larger schools. Both of last year’s winners — Breck in Class A and Edina in Class AA — will be back to defend their crowns.

Girls basketball: This might be the city’s best shot at a title this winter. Benilde-St. Margaret’s is the defending Class 3A champions, and the Red Knights returned many key players from that team this year. Staying true to form, top-seeded BSM rolled over Mound-Westonka, 68-35, in the first round of the section 6AAA playoffs on Thursday. Up next is fifth-seeded Holy Family Catholic on Saturday. A win there gets the Red Knights into the section finals on March 10. The state tournament is March 16-19 at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.

Boys basketball: Benilde-St. Margaret’s should also be a serious contender for a boys basketball crown. After the Red Knights end their season tonight against Chisago Lakes, they’ll be the No. 1 seed in the Section 6AAA bracket. That means a first-round bye and an automatic ticket to the semifinals on March 12. Awaiting the Red Knights will be either Richfield or Holy Family Catholic.

St. Louis Park High School also figures to be in the running. The Orioles play at the larger 4A level, which could provide some stiffer competition. But the team finished second in the North Suburban Conference — Benilde-St. Margaret’s took the top spot — and is led by seniors Marquealis Edwards, Aaron Ziman and Joe Zangel. The Section 6AAAA playoffs begin on March 8. The boys basketball state tournament, which will be held at both Williams Arena and the Target Center, is scheduled for March 23-26.