MCAA Preview

Overview:

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Things begin and end in this league with Maranatha. The rest of the league looks to catch up.

Team Previews:

Maranatha returns star senior David Hanson who will put up huge numbers for them. In the past 2 years he's had a terrific supporting cast. This has made MCA a top 1A team. This year Hanson is the star and there's no clear supporting cast. They have tradition, but lack experience.

Heritage returns star guard Stu Herman and Soph big Sam Schwalbe along with F Jon Hirte. If they manage to get past MCA, look for them to make a run at the league title.

New Life Academy returns leading scorer and 1st team all-MCAA player Max Banchy and junior big man Robbie Anderson. Look for them to finish in the top half of the league.

West Lutheran doesn't return size, but they do return 4 starters from a respectable team last year. Look for them to have a say in the final conference results.

Southwest Christian is a team that the coaches in section 4A like. With their 2 top scorers gone, I'm not sure why. But they did go 19-9 after the loss of D1 player Kit Avery, so there is talent there.

Trinity loses their 2 top scorers but does return people and is a traditionally solid program. Look for them in the upper half of the league standings.

Holy Trinity combines with Lester Prairie this year. HT went 3-24, Lester Praire went 24-3 and the combined program lost 15 seniors. All conference performer Jr Chris Neumann returns to lead an inexperienced group.

Meadow Creek returns 4 starters but is still young. Look for them to potentially make a leap next season.

Providence loses their top 2 scores but does return many other players. Look for this still new program to continue building toward the future.

Synopsis:

Conference Champion: Maranatha
Teams you must see: Maranatha
Other teams to watch: Trinity, Heritage, West Lutheran, SW Christian
Surprise Team: Lester Prairie
Team you don't want to see: Concordia-Bloomington

Games that will determine the conference title

• Heritage at Maranatha Tues Jan 8th
• Trinity at Maranatha Fri Jan 11th
• Maranatha at SW Christian Th Jan 17th
  

Noteworthy Non-Conference games

• Oh Day Aki at Maranatha Tues Jan 22nd
• Maranatha vs Barneveld, WI at Verona, WI (Border Battle) Sat Jan 26th
• Oh Day Aki at Heritage, Tues Feb 12th
• CHOF at Heritage, Tues Feb 26th
• West Lutheran at Minnesota Transitions, Fri Feb 29th
• Minnesota Transitions at New Life Tues Mar 4th