4A story lines

 

1 Watch out for the Orioles

Osseo continues to ignore others’ expectations. The unranked Orioles return for a second consecutive year out of loaded Section 5. They knocked off both Roseville,the presumptive favorite, and Centennial. Last year’s section run was similar and produced a state runner-up trophy. Osseo lost two graduated seniors and its 2012 coach but still have standouts Janay Morton (19.2 points per game) and Phillis Webb (16.7).

 

2 Can the Knights pull it off?

St. Michael-Albertville, the Section 8 champion, randomly drew No. 1-seed Hopkins. The Lake Conference team’s powerful lineup doesn’t shake the Knights, though. Coach Kent Hamre scheduled four Lake teams this season, including the Royals. The Knights lost all four but were within a basket to Edina and Wayzata.

 

3Lightning capable of striking

If not for a late-season, five-point loss to Lakeville South, No. 3 seed Eastview had a case to argue that it is Class 4A’s best. It finished No. 2 in the final rankings. Every game Star Tribune’s All-Metro first team sophomore Madison Guebert plays, she appears to get better. Tyra Johnson has been a consistent senior presence. This combo, combined with a deep bench, could surprise people.

JASON GONZALEZ