Bethany Academy Eagles (2012-13 season 7-19, 1-12 Conference, 5th South)
The Eagles lose double figure scorer Luke Mikhail and forward RT Mould. Sharpshooting guard Sam Hagen leads the offense at 19 a night. They have very little size in the program.
Heritage Christian Academy Eagles (2012-13 season 22-7, 10-3 Conference, Tied 2nd North)
Heritage coming off another 20 win season and they'll have to replace 5 of their top 7 scorers. Drew Kleinschmidt is the 1 double figure returning scorer. Spencer Bland returns as another effective scorer. Andy Hamilton also returns to the rotation.
Legacy Christian Academy (2012-13 season 11-17, 4-9 Conference, Tied 4th North)
Senior big Colton Richards needs to be replaced. Junior Nate Bertsch leads the offense and just cleared double figures last season. Luke Anderson almost reached double figures and provides size up front. Caleb Johnson and Luke Johnson also provide experience.
Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity Bulldogs (2012-13 season 17-12, 8-5 Conference, 1st South)
The Bulldogs return their dynamic duo of Nick Machemehl and Spencer Radtke. Machemehl is a do everything guard who averaged 22 a night. Radtke was a 15 and 9 guy. Expect them to up their 17 win total of the last 2 years.
Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs (2012-13 season 31-2, 13-0 Conference, 1st North)
Heavy losses for the powerhouse Mustangs. Isaiah Hanson is off to Colorado Christian, Garrison Gillard is off to UMD and Grantham Gillard is now at Eden Prairie. That's about 45 a night from 3 of the top 4 scorers. But as usual MCA reloads and its with a member of the Hanson clan. Junior Jeremiah Hanson averaged 13+ a night from the wing. Josh Goldschmidt returns to run the show and provide leadership along with his 9 points a night.
New Life Academy Eagles (2012-13 season 12-15, 6-7 Conference, 3rd South)
Top scorer Cameron Duffy departs but the next 3 scorers return. That includes forward Conrad Engstrom. Jake Wynia returns inside.
PACT Charter Panthers (2012-13 season 12-15, 3-10 Conference, 5th North)
The Panthers lose their top scorer Drew Zieroth and 19 a night from the scoring lefty. Danny Mooers almost averaged double figures and should lead the way this season.
Southwest Christian Stars (2012-13 season 13-12, 7-6 Conference, 2nd South)
Soph guard Jack Jenson returns after leading the team in scoring last season. He finished strong with 18 points or more in 5 of the last 7 games. Luke Johanson also a solid returnee for the Stars at 12 per night. Brett Reinhart also returns to the rotation. The team won 7 of 8 going into the playoffs with the only loss in that stretch to Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity in overtime. Expect Kit Avery's Stars to take another step forward this season.
Trinity Tri-Hawks (2012-13 season 8-19, 3-10 Conference, 4th South)
Leading scorer Caleb Dahl departs. But there are returning pieces. Soph Eddie Maruggi returns in the backcourt. Junior Jon Lotti returns up front. Seth Brummer also returns to the lineup.
West Lutheran Warriors (2012-13 season 25-5, 10-3 Conference, Tied 2nd North)
3 of the top 4 scorers have departed after a great 25 win season. That includes the guard combo of Morgan and Dustin Barth. Paul Draeger leads the returning scorers at 12 per night. Will Steffel and Andrew Stavig return inside. Nate Kieffer will see guard minutes along with junior Jonah Kuske.
Predicted Order of Finish
North Division
- Maranatha
- Heritage
- Legacy
- West Lutheran
- PACT
- Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity
- SW Christian
- New Life
- Trinity
- Bethany
The balance of power shifts to the south division this season. All 5 teams in the south have top players returning. The teams in the north took heavy losses. Maranatha and LP/HT are expected to be ranked teams this season. SW Christian gave LP/HT all they wanted last year in the 2 games losing by 2 and then by 6 in overtime. Those are the clear top 2 in the south. Trinity and New Life coin flip for the next 2 spots but New Life got Trinity twice last year so they get the nod. In the north, MCA remains the favorite. The next 3 spots are a toss up. Legacy has the most returning but there are remaining pieces at Heritage and West Lutheran.
Conference MVP: Nick Machemehl - Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity
Underclassmen to watch:
- Sam LeVoir - Bethany
- Damario Armstrong - Maranatha
- Jack Jenson - SW Christian
- Eddie Maruggi - Trinity
- Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity at Southwest Christian - Jan 3rd
- Maranatha at Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - Jan 23rd
- Southwest Christian at Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - Feb 3rd
- Conference Tournament at Southwest Christian - Feb 15th
- Blake at Southwest Christian - Dec 10th
- Washburn at Maranatha - Jan 11th
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