Some major losses across the league with 6 teams losing their top scorer. That doesn't count the BIG loss of Seantrel Henderson either. But there's some nice talent coming up in some of the top programs in the league that will keep things interesting.
Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders (2009-10 season 23-6, 14-4 Conference, 2nd)
Big Seantrel Henderson is off to Miami to play football but with him missing a series of games last season, the Raiders learned to play without him. Athletic forward Elliot Owusu and shooter Gus Gehlen also need to be replaced. Senior off guard Raijon Kelly returns after leading the team in scoring at 14 PPG last season. Then the junior trio of point guard Cortez Tilllman, glue forward Taylor Montero and center CJ Neuman are back. Neuman saw plenty of minutes in the middle last year and he's really gotten big. Guard Brian Smith also saw some time in the rotation last season.
East Ridge Raptors (2009-10 season 6-21, 2-16 Conference, 9th)
The best news for the Raptors is addition of shooter Justin Pahl from Mahtomedi. Everyone is back from last year including 14.1 PPG from John Hietpas.
Forest Lake Rangers (2009-10 season 24-6, 16-2 Conference, 1st)
The Rangers lose the league's top scorer last season Zach Riedeman. He was able to go outside of the open post motion system to generate his own offense and add another dimension to the Rangers. Power forward Doug Sewall and athletic Sam Miller are also gone. That's 3 of the top 4 scorers. Guard Phil Hegseth and his 10 points a game returns to lead the way.
Hastings Raiders (2009-10 season 14-14, 9-9 Conference, 6th)
34.6 PPG from the forward duo of Shane Monjeau and Nick Gmiterko has graduated. The 3rd leading scorer Mike Hill is also gone. The top returnee is junior forward Darius Wilkerson. He averaged 7.3 points a game last season. He's a nice athlete who should see his role expanded greatly this season.
Mounds View Mustangs (2009-10 season 16-12, 10-8 Conference, 5th)
4 seniors who averaged between 9 and 11.4 points a night last season are gone. Top scorer Jordan Van Eps and his 12.4 points a night return along with Blake Anderson. But you can't completely write off a Ziggy Kauls coached team.
Park Wolfpack (2009-10 season 1-26, 0-18 Conference, 10th)
Park loses a bunch of seniors including 16.1 PPG from Craig Brown. Antonio Dominguez-Howard is the top returnee at 4.5 a night. August Omot and Austin Kruseski are 2 other returners. The team in the South Washington County district that will have the toughest season.
Roseville Raiders (2009-10 season 11-16, 6-12 Conference, 8th)
The only team in the league with no major loss due to graduation . The top 3 scorers are back. That includes wings Lucas Brown (Wofford commit and 17.2 PPG last year) and junior Emeche Wells. Guard David Stanley is short but surprisingly athletic with his 15.7 PPG. Connor Harlander and center Sam Peterson return. Frosh Mack Johnson may be small but he has area code range. Easy pick to predict the Raiders will make the biggest jump this season in the league standings.
Stillwater Ponies (2009-10 season 20-7, 13-5 Conference, 3rd)
Tons of losses for the Ponies. Shooter Alex Oman, center Ryan Duxbury and versatile forward Miles Heller and point guard Paul Franklin combined for over 43 points a game last year. Athletic wing Paxton Harvieux and forward Jake Malwitz return. Center Josh Johnson is a lefty center who can step out and shoot it.
White Bear Lake Bears (2009-10 season 17-10, 12-6 Conference, 4th)
4 of the top 5 scorers including forwards Spencer Cummings and Richard Azevedo, shooter Ryan Olson and point guard David Rademacher is also gone. Don't expect much of a dropoff from the Bears though. There's a nice group of juniors. Josh Tismer will take over the point. Zach Meyer will take over inside after a breakout performance in July against the Atlanta Celtics. Guards Vidal Vance and Colton Smit also return. If forward Eric Gebeke decides not to focus on track, he would add another scoring weapon on the wing.
Woodbury Royals (2009-10 season 12-16, 8-10 Conference, 7th)
Wow, what a new school will do to a district. Woodbury may not out do East Ridge this season. The trend of down teams south of I94 and outside the loop continues. The entire rotation is gone including 21.3 PPG from Nick Quicksell. Junior Connor McKeen is the top returner.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Cretin-Derham Hall
- Roseville
- Stillwater
- White Bear Lake
- Mounds View
- Forest Lake
- East Ridge
- Hastings
- Woodbury
- Park
Underclassmen to watch:
Teddy Chapman - Cretin-Derham Hall
Logan Brown, Mack Johnson - Roseville
Games that will determine the conference title
- Roseville at Stillwater - Jan 21st
- Cretin-Derham Hall at Roseville - Jan 28th
- Cretin-Derham Hall at White Bear Lake - Feb 4th
- Roseville at White Bear Lake - Feb 22nd
- Cretin-Derham Hall at Stillwater - Mar 1st
- Roseville at Cretin-Derham Hall - Mar 4th
- Benilde-St. Margaret's vs Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 11th (Breakdown Tipoff Classic)
- Roseville at Minneapolis Washburn - Dec 14th
- St. Thomas Academy at Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 18th
- Roseville at St. Paul Johnson - Dec 22nd
- Cretin-Derham Hall vs St. Paul Central - Dec 30th (projected Catholic Spirit championship at U of St. Thomas)
- Eden Prairie at Cretin-Derham Hall - Jan 15th
- Roseville vs Rice Lake (WI) - Jan 22nd (East Metro Showcase)
- Cretin-Derham Hall at DeLaSalle - Feb 26th
Park high school has and underclassmen guard by the name of Trocon Barclay and a senior guard by the name of anthony jones both tranfers
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