08-09 Tri-Metro West Preview

This is the 13th installment in the 08-09 Season Preview series. If you missed any of the 1st 12 previews, you can use the Section and Conference Previews page to go back and read them. In this installment, a look at the West Division of the Tri-Metro Conference

De La Salle Islanders (2007 Season 14-14, 12-4)
Obviously you don't fully replace a player like Royce White, but they were terrific defensively and balanced on offense after he left last year. Bryce Hawkins is also gone I'm told. This will free up Jalen Jaspers to play more inside. Walter Franklin returns at the point. Look for sophomore Jonah Travis to step up and play an important role. (Czar's Note 11/6/08, How did I manage to leave AJ Barker out of this? He'll be a major factor for them as well.)

Minnehaha Academy Redhawks (2007 Season 17-10, 11-5)
They'll be the toughest team in the division to defend. They have 3 interchangable wings that are all long and versatile. That includes Greg Meyer and David Burnham along with emerging Parker Hines. Taylor Sparkman mans the middle with some ball skills that can pull bigs away from the basket.

Brooklyn Center Centaurs (2007 Season 12-15, 8-8)
After an 8-2 start that may have been misleading, the Centaurs went 4-13 after that. Sophomore Freddie Young leads the way. Junior DeAngelo Potter's 15 PPG also return.

Breck Mustangs (2007 Season 19-11, 7-8)
The Mustangs start a new era under coach Daryl Woods. However, he doesn't have much to work with. Last season's top 3 players Tom Smolenski, Dakota Tidd and Matt Vargas are all gone. Senior Blake Johnson will take over the top player role. I'll be watching to see what role sophomore Joey Yared plays.

Blake Bears (2007 Season 5-22, 4-12)
Senior David Nash is the leading returning scorer. Junior Jerrett Williams is another player to watch for the Bears. They had a point differental last year of 20.8.

St. Paul Academy Spartans (2007 Season 5-21, 1-15)
Former Sibley assistant Kevin McKenzie takes over the Spartans program. He has a couple of nice pieces to work with in juniors Evan MacMillan (23 and 10 last year) at forward and Santano Rosario at point guard. Sophomore center Gabe Mast also returns with 10 points and 7 rebs per game. They could make a run at double digit wins.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Minnehaha Academy
   
2. De La Salle
   
3. Brooklyn Center
   
4. St. Paul Academy
   
5. Breck
   
6. Mounds Park Academy
   

Player of the Year: Greg Meyer - Minnehaha

Games that will determine the conference title

• Concordia at Minnehaha - December 19th
• De La Salle at Minnehaha - January 20th
  
• De La Salle at St. Bernard's - January 31st
• Minnehaha at St. Bernard's - February 5th
• Minnehaha at De La Salle - February 14th
  
• De La Salle at Concordia - March 6th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Minnehaha at Minnesota Transitions - December 12th
• Minnehaha vs Henry Sibley - December 27th (1st round Bethel tournament)
• Minnehaha at St. Thomas Academy - January 31st
  
• De La Salle at Benilde-St. Margaret's - February 7th
• Minnehaha at New London-Spicer - February 19th
  
• Cretin-Derham Hall at De La Salle - February 21st
• Minneapolis Henry at De La Salle - March 3rd