Border Battle Preview

Big weekend of games coming up as the second annual Border Battle takes place. The Border Battle pins five of the premier Wisconsin high school teams against five of the premier Minnesota high school teams. The Border Battle doesn't truly show which state is the best due to the fact that teams are picked a couple years in advance and it isn't always the top teams from each division playing each other but, it is close to showing which state is better. Last year Wisconsin was able to escape with a 3-2 advantage but, this year looks to be much tougher draw for the Wisconsin teams. Every team from Minnesota is ranked in the top 10 in each of their respected divisions and most of the teams are in the top three of their division. With my prediction total at 19-14 will see how my predictions for the Border Battle work out. This will be some pretty tough picks because all the teams are fairly good and I have seen only one the teams play that is playing in the tournament.

Maranatha Christian Academy (MN) vs Barneveld (WI) Division 4
Barneveld came into this season with some high hopes but, have struggled as of late. Barneveld is currently 8-4 and have lost three of their last four games. On the other hand Maranatha comes in undefeated and ranked #1 in Minnesota for division four schools. Maranatha has division one college player on there team, who is a Mr. Basketball candidate. I believe that Maranatha will handle Barneveld fairly easy in this one.

Rockford (MN) vs Marshall (WI) Division 3
Rockford comes into this game highly touted being ranked second in their division. Rockford matched uped with Lacrosse Aquinas who dominated the game from start to finish. Aquinas was an extremely talented team but, I came away from the game not very impressed with Rockford. Marshall lost some key players from their team last year in Nick Krull and Ralph Crews but, still have a fairly solid team and some rich tradition at Marshall, who are currently 9-3. I'm gonna go out a limb a little bit and pick Marshall in this one.

Princeton (MN) vs Waupon (WI) Division 2
This is really the toughest game for me to predict. Waupon is a high school team that is lead by a pair of perimeter players in Ryan Rasmussen and Aris Wurtz who each average close to 20 ppg, while Princeton is led by 6'11 Badger recruit Jared Berggren who averages a near double double. Waupon is currently undefeated while Princeton has lost four games and is just barely hanging on to their top ten ranking. Maybe this is Wisconsin bias but, I'm picking Waupon to take this one.

Minnetonka (MN) vs Madison Memorial (WI) Division 1
This two teams matched up last year and Minnetonka had their way as they really frustrated Memorial big man Keaton Nankivil. Minnetonka was filled with lots of guys that were 6'3 to 6'6 and were extremely athletic and if I remember correctly they had a lot of juniors. Tonka is currently ranked third in division one and are arguably the best team in the state of Minnesota. Last time the two teams met Jeronne Maymon had a huge game for Memorial scoring 27 points and really helped keep the score respectable. Maymon is back and should once again have a big game but, I just don't see Memorial as a team being able to play with the high power Minnetonka team. Minnetonka wins this one.

Tartan (MN) vs Verona (WI) Division 1 host school
Last year Tartan played Wisconsin Rapids and were less then impressive as they lost to an average Rapids team. Verona has a lot more weapons then Rapids had and are playing at home in this one. Tartan is supposedly smaller then last years team which should allow Verona to go to big man Jason Ziemer inside, which should carry them to victory. Verona

So I have Wisconsin winning once again 3-2. There is a little Wisconsin bias in there and I could honestly see Wisconsin getting swept as easily as I could see them going 3-2. Two games that I will guarantee are Marantha over Barneveld and Minnetonka over Madison Memorial. I guess will just have to wait two days to see for sure. Be back Saturday or Sunday with results and thoughts.