Preller Era Ends in Woodbury, Other Hoops Teams Gear Up for Playoffs

Dave Preller's 32-year high school came to an end on Thursday night as the girls basketball team lost to White Bear Lake in the Section 4AAAA playoff final for the third-consecutive season.

Woodbury led the Bears 22-21 at halftime of this year's championship game at and held a five-point advantage in the second half. However, they could not stem the tide against the section's No. 1 seed as White Bear Lake charged back to snatch away the victory after the Royals fell into foul trouble over the final 18 minutes of play.

It was the third time this season that the Suburban East Conference champion Bears defeated the conference runner-up and sectional No. 2 seed Royals.

Woodbury guard Michelle Young, who averaged 22.4 points this season (sixth-best in the state), led the Royals with 12 points—sharing the game-high in scoring with White Bear Lake guard Alexis Foley.

The loss ended Woodbury's 2010-11 campaign with a 20-8 record and concluded Preller's high school coaching tenure with a 533-143 mark.

For a photo gallery from the game, click here.

Hoops Playoffs Tonight and Tomorrow

The girls basketball team, seeded No. 1 in the 4A playoffs, looks to punch their ticket for a return trip to the state tournament at 5:45 p.m. tonight against No. 2 seed Maranatha in the sectional championship game at Hamline University.

The eighth-seeded Woodbury boys basketball team hopes to pull off a playoff upset tonight at top-seeded Tartan in the Section 4AAAA quarterfinals, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

East Ridge plays its first-ever Section 4AAAA boys basketball playoff game tonight as the sixth-seeded Raptors take the court at No. 3 seed Roseville at 7 p.m.

The New Life Academy boys basketball team plays at Heritage Christian Academy in the Section 4A quarterfinals on Saturday at 7 p.m.