From those making their first trip to state to defending champions, these 12 players are ones fans should try to see at Williams Arena and Target Center.

Strib Varsity reporter Marcus Fuller forecasts every round of the tournament, from Class 4A through Class 1A.

The state tournament takes place March 24-28 at Target Center and Williams Arena.

Many of the state’s best teams were eliminated in section tournaments. Other programs enter the final ranking of the season after qualifying for the state tournament.

These teams across Minnesota qualified for the boys basketball state tournament March 24-28.

The top 10 finalists for this year’s Mr. Basketball were announced March 2, but a few players on the list could get knocked out in sections — as soon as this weekend.

Strib Varsity’s Marcus Fuller picks each section champion, Class 4A through 1A, marking the qualifiers of the boys basketball state tournament.

Defending Class 1A state champion Dawson-Boyd returned to the top 10 entering the section tournament

The Royals are in position to bring coach Ken Novak Jr. the state’s all-time win record in the section playoffs next week.

Meanwhile, in Class 4A, the grouping for the state’s largest schools, East Ridge, led by Cedric Tomes, moved from No. 7 to No. 5.