QUOTE ME, HOWIE: Patrick Andrews, Andy Fenske
Hermantown coach Patrick Andrews on his team's recent work in continued preparation for regular season play – "We had a great first weekend. We had three good scrimmages that showed us a lot, and we got a good look at all the guys so we're able to start scheming where to put guys and how best to approach the first month of the season. We have two more scrimmages this weekend, against Eden Prairie and BSM, and these scrimmages will allow us to work on special teams and start establishing some systems. All the scrimmages, over the first two weekends, and the first three weeks of practice really help us prepare for our first game. Once we start the season our schedule doesn't let up and we will be pushed hard throughout. We see a lot of value in choosing to scrimmage a second weekend instead of starting games. I feel like many teams are in such a hurry to start games, but I believe scrimmaging gives you all the learning opportunities of games without the consequences. Plus with the MSHSL only allowing 25 games, these scrimmages allow our players more game situations and put our guys in very competitive situations which lead to many more learning opportunities before we actually put on the jerseys and start for real."
Note: The Hawks are led by senior goaltender Dane Callaway, junior defenseman Henry Peterson and 2023 Minnesota Bantam AA Player of the Year, first-year sophomore defenseman AJ Francisco.
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Hermantown boys basketball coach Andy Fenske on the two-time defending Section 7AAA champion Hawks – "We're led by Abe Soumis, a returning senior starter and an all-around elite player who plays everywhere from point guard to center. He feeds the basketball to his teammates, plays well with his back to the basket, slashes, shoots, does everything. We're also led by Brayden Lundeen, a stretch guard, who's long and lanky and deceptively quick with his long limbs. He shoots the ball really well and once he finds his rhythm, he's tough to stop. We also have Peyton Menzel and Nathan Hill, starting guards and huge team leaders. All four are top scoring threats who could play all 30 minutes if given the opportunity.
Evan Senst is a strong physical player, who is best offensively with his back to the basket. Alex Schott is a tremendous athlete who brings some great defense and has the ability to knock down a shot, has an explosive first step and can finish at the rim. Blake Sundlund plays hard defense and will knock down some threes. I'd be lying if I'd said 7AAA still runs through us. I think Denfeld has a chance to be back in the section finals against us. It's always a tough match up with them and just essentially the same city we play in. I mean we see each other, how many times these kids have played each other, I mean almost half a dozen times every year between summer league games and then in the season stuff there. They know each other so well.
Adding Chisago Lakes to the section, I think they're going to be a force to be reckoned with. I think if we were to play the playoffs right now, those would be our Nos. 1, 2, 3 seeds, Hermantown, Denfeld and Chisago Lakes, and in no particular order. Grand Rapids will bring back a pretty core group of guys as well. North Branch always plays a tough schedule in the Mississippi 8. There will be a lot of teams gunning for us, and as the two-time defending Section 7AAA champion, the target continues to grow on our back every year. But, our guys thrive on the pressure to three-repeat."