A team looking for its first state tournament bid in many years faces one that hopes to return for a second straight season, as No. 9 AAA St. Cloud Apollo (8-2) faces No. 4 AAAA Eden Prairie (8-1) in the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic at Minnetonka. 

It’s been a dry spell for St. Cloud Apollo, as the Eagles haven’t been to the state tournament in 38 years. Even more frustrating is that they’ve advanced to the section title game in each of the past four years, only to fall just shy each time. In each of the last three years, it’s been a last-second loss to Little Falls. It signals two things: that Apollo is a perennial contender and two, that they have been denied their ultimate goal. 

Six-foot-5 senior forward Blake Maslonkowski (16.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and 6-foot-8 senior forward Simon Krych (13.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg) make up an imposing front court which is among the best in the state. Maslonkowski is a bruiser and a smasher who’ll fight for every loose ball under the hoop. Krych, a transfer from Holdingford two years ago, is a shot-blocker and rebounder with solid post moves. They’re joined in the front court by 6-foot-7 senior Ryan Tesch who has improved by leaps and bounds and is an outstanding post defender.

The backcourt is anchored by 6-foot-1 senior guards Ibrahim Abukar (12.7 ppg) and Derek Steve (11.9 ppg). Abukar is an outstanding scorer with great quickness, while Steve is a very good defender and excellent shooter.

Eden Prairie isn’t ready to give up its state tournament berth, not with six of the top nine players returning from a team that finished fourth in the state. The Eagles lost just five games all year and ripped off 19 victories in 22 Lake Conference games, a terrific record. 

Three starters return in 6-foot-3 senior guard Grant Soderberg (11.2 ppg), 6-foot-5 senior guard Jack Klukas (10.4 ppg) and 6-foot senior guard Grayson Levine. Needless to say, the backcourt looks strong for the Eagles. Klukas has played every game the past two seasons and is a true team leader who can play four positions, while Soderberg is a great shooter as well as being versatile. Levine is a tough and smart defender.

Also, watch out for 6-foot-6 senior post Conner Nord (8.8 ppg), who must fill in strong for big front court losses and senior Dylan Stewart (16.0 ppg), who we predicted would “blow up” in a more extensive role this winter. 

Shot blocker who runs well and has a good feel when catching on the block.  U of Mary has received his commitment. Posted 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as a 6-foot-8 junior forward.

Stewart is going to blow up his senior year. He was a role guy for the Eagles in 2009-10 but his spring/summer play showed that his athletic ability will result in much productivity this winter.