Edison Tommies (2011-12 season 8-19, 2-10 Conference, 6th)
The Tommies lose 3 of their top 4 scorers. Wing Joseph Anderson is the top returning scorer at 9.5 points a game. Guard Brian Givens returns at about 8 points a game. The schedule isn't as weak as last year. I project this group at about 5 wins.
North Polars (2011-12 season 3-21, 1-11 Conference, 7th)
Mike Shelton takes over for Bret McNeal after this storied program fell completely apart last year. Top scorers Corey Jones and Jaylin Dubose are gone. Lee Gaines returns but the Polars will need to find something to go around him. Guards Jamal Brown and Travis Wilson are 2 candidates to pick up the slack. Expect another very difficult season.
Patrick Henry Patriots (2011-12 season 13-12, 9-3 Conference, Tied 2nd)
Wing Shawn Atkins and post Tim Gill are 2 double figure scorers that the Patriots have to replace in their short rotation. Wing Darius Hill returns at 25.5 points a game with ability to get to the rim or knock down open jumpers. Wunell Beard will once again run the point. He just missed being the 4th player to average double figures for Henry last season. Matt Robinson returns as an inside banger. JJ Jefferson projects as an offensive factor on the other wing.
Roosevelt Teddies (2011-12 season 7-19, 3-9 Conference, 5th)
Former Roosevelt star and 1995 Mr. Basketball Rob Mestas takes over this year after Dennis Stockmo moved up to the AD job. Leading scorer Demetrius Durant returns to run the point. 4 other starters were lost. Sophs Terry Thomas and Arione Farrar Jr (though he may have transferred) saw time last year and would be pieces to build around.
South Tigers (2011-12 season 11-14, 9-3 Conference, Tied 2nd)
After a 5-13 start, the Tigers won their last 6 regular season games. That included a 4 point win at Henry to tie for 2nd at 9-3 in league play. Leader and leading scorer Carnell Sheppard (20.5 PPG) will be sorely missed. Lefty Thomas Ford averaged 8.7 a game but was able to go off at any time (28 vs Cooper last year). Isaiah Wilson will lead the offense. Expect Kenley Farrow to also be a bigger offensive factor as well.
Southwest Lakers (2011-12 season 9-18, 6-6 Conference, 4th)
Their 6 win conference season matched the total number of league games they won the 3 previous seasons. I think that was more about how bad the rest of the league was -- they got their wins against the bottom 3 -- rather than a major step forward. Guard Demetrius Cady is back and he was the top scorer last year for the Lakers. Forwards Josh Barnes and Will Kalberg-Taylor averaged double-figures and will need to be replaced.
Washburn Millers (2011-12 season 29-3, 12-0 Conference, 1st)
After a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer in the 3A championship game, Coach Reggie Perkins has moved down Nicollet Ave to take the Bloomington Kennedy job. Point guard Nick Anderson and wing Dejon Davis followed him there. They also lose 6 seniors from the rotation. Overall the top 7 scorers are gone. Noah Scarver's 6+ a game leads the returning players. Don't expect the Millers to fall off too much though. They've won all 3 levels of the city the last 2 years. That depth pays off this year. Soph Kevin Gleason will take over the point. Soph Evan Shepherd and junior Quinton Garvis will take over the wings. All 3 were JV starters last year. Athletic junior Jeff Jones was a varsity player all last year.
(Czar's Note 10/17/12: I've since told that Nick Anderson stayed at Washburn)
Predicted Order of Finish
- Washburn
- Henry
- South
- Southwest
- Roosevelt
- Edison
- North
Normally you have an elite team at the top. This year may be the worst this league has been top to bottom in a long time. Roosevelt, Edison and North will struggle to win a handful of games. Southwest and South are down so I can't see them reaching .500 overall. Henry has some talent but with more talent last year they were barely a .500 team. Washburn will still be the class of the league but their youth puts them a year away from being what they've been recently.
Conference MVP: Darius Hill - Henry
Underclassmen to watch:
Payton Bowdry - Minneapolis South
Kevin Gleason, Evan Shepherd - Washburn
Conference Games to Watch
- Washburn at Henry - Jan 11th
- Henry at Washburn - Feb 14th
- Eden Prairie at Washburn - Dec 4th
- Heritage vs Henry - Jan 26th (Super 60 Showcase at Washburn)
- Lakeville South at Washburn - Jan 26th (Super 60 Showcase)
- Henry at Cooper - Feb 8th
- Maranatha at Washburn - Feb 9th
- De La Salle at Washburn - Feb 22nd
- Twin Cities Game (Minneapolis Champion) - Mar 2nd
hopefully Davis and Anderson also moved their homes to the Kennedy school district, or they should be sitting out this season
ReplyDeleteRobinson was a senior last year & beard left henry at the end of last year but with darius hill one of the most under rated players in the state henry should win the conference
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