2017-18 Lake Conference Preview

This is the 10th preview in my 2017-2018 season preview series.  In this preview, week 3 rolls on with a look at the Lake Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Eden Prairie Eagles (2016-17 season 16-13, 3-5 Conference, 3rd)
20 PPG from guard Owen Chose and defender Will Pahl both need to be replaced.  The rest of the rotation is back.  Senior Kyler Kluge (13.2 PPG) and soph Drake Dobbs (11.8 PPG) will carry the offensive load from the perimeter and do the ball handling.  Soph forward Austin Andrews (8.6 PPG) returns to lead the front court.  Seniors Antonio Montero, Jack Tuttle and DJ Johnson return to the rotation with soph Connor Christensen.

Edina Hornets (2016-17 season 18-10, 3-5 Conference, 4th)
Senior PG Walt McGrory (23.1 PPG) needs to be replaced.  Senior Anders Nelson averaged 15.7 PPG and will step into that role.  Junior wing Jack Middleton should see his 7.6 PPG go up significantly with his sharpshooting.  Luke Glenna provides defense and experience in the backcourt.  Size needs to be replaced up front with the graduation of Matt Hofrenning.  The Hornets move their home games from the Edina Community Center to the high school this season.

Hopkins Royals (2016-17 season 23-6, 6-2 Conference, Tie 1st)
Hopkins has to replace D1 players in Ish El-Amin (20.1 PPG) and Simon Wright (16 PPG).  But the Royals still expect to be in the running for a state title.  The backcourt is experienced with soph PG Blaise Beauchamp (11.8 PPG) and Anthony Davis (11.5 PPG).  Then the front court is as good as any with senior Joe Hedstrom (8.6 PPG) and junior Zeke Nnaji (8.1 PPG).  Breck transfer Kerwin Walton is a candidate to be the other perimeter starter.  They'll have plenty of depth at all positions with players like Dane Zimmer and Andrew Dahnke.

Minnetonka Skippers (2016-17 season 12-15, 2-6 Conference, 5th)
The Skippers lose their 3 double figure scorers from last season.  That accounts for over 40 PPG and takes away their best 2 wings and inside man.  Coach Ryan Freeberg has pieces to work with though.  Junior Jalen Dearring (7.7 PPG) runs the point and is the top returnee.  Soph Cam Steele and senior Peter Haas will handle inside duties.  Jon Martens returns on a wing and junior Aaron Syverson gives them another guard option.  Hopkins transfer Andy Stafford should also contribute.

Wayzata Trojans (2016-17 season 28-4, 6-2 Conference, Tie 1st)
Wayzata also has to replace a dynamic duo.  Gavin Baumgartner and Ryan Lindberg combined for over 30 PPG last year.  But the backcourt will still be strong, if not big, with juniors Jacob Beeninga (12.9 PPG) and Luke Paulson to handle the ball and shoot it.  Senior sniper Drew Galinson should fill Lindberg's role.  So expect the Trojans to still shoot the lights out.   No experience returns at the big man spots.  Tanner Jonas is an option there.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Hopkins
2. Wayzata
3. Eden Prairie
4. Edina
5. Minnetonka

Conference Overview
The league is marked by outstanding guard play on every roster.  Hopkins gets the nod here because they're the 1 team that also has an interior game (a very good one at that).  Wayzata will miss Gavin Baumgartner's versatility on both ends but they have enough shooting to be 2nd here.  Eden Prairie and Edina are similar teams to last year and Eden Prairie won big twice last year so I give them 3rd.  Minnetonka is the only team left so they are at the bottom.  But they split with both Eden Prairie and Edina last year so I could see anything happening 3 thru 5.  Anders Nelson gets my MVP nod due to value to team.  The other teams have more depth to compensate for a star injury.

Conference MVP: Anders Nelson - Edina


Underclassmen to watch:  

• Drake Dobbs, Austin Andrews, Connor Christensen, Lukas Dunford - Eden Prairie
• Blaise Beauchamp, Kerwin Walton - Hopkins
• Cam Steele- Minnetonka

Conference Games to Watch

• Wayzata at Hopkins - Jan 12th
• Hopkins at Wayzata - Feb 16th

 Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Cretin Derham-Hall at Hopkins - Dec 2nd (Girls Tipoff Classic)
• De La Salle at Hopkins - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic)
• Hopkins at Champlin Park - Dec 12th
• Lakeville North at Wayzata - Dec 12th
• Park Center at Wayzata - Dec 15th
• Wayzata vs Orono - Dec 21st (Hamline Tournament)
• Hopkins vs Minnehaha (projected) - Dec 23rd (Augsburg Tournament)
• Hopkins vs St. Thomas Academy - Dec 27th (UST Tourney)
• Wayzata vs St. Thomas Academy - Dec 28th (UST Tourney)
• Hopkins at Orono - Jan 9th
• Hopkins at Minneapolis North - Feb 13th
• Wayzata at De La Salle - Feb 23rd