Basketball players earn the spotlight this week, with state champions from girls basketball and section champions in boys.

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.

Wayzata is one step closer to defending its Class 4A state title after Christian Wiggins scored 30 points to lead the Trojans to a 105-70 win against Hopkins in the Class 4A, Section 6 championship.

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

Wayzata was in command of the Class 4A, Section 6 boys basketball championship all game, and the Trojans are now closer to defending their state title.

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.