Hastings Raiders (2016-17 season 12-15, 8-8 Conference, 5th)
Senior forward Sawyer Levos averaged 13 points a game last season. He is the only member of the starting lineup and top 7 scorers that returns. Those losses include tough Colin Kummer (13.6 PPG) and shooter Brandon Haraldson (12.1 PPG). Grant Hollar moves up in the rotation at a guard spot. Levi Zak will see time up front.
Henry Sibley Warriors (2016-17 season 5-22, 4-12 Conference, 7th)
Senior PG Rieshaun Satar more than doubled his production to 19 PPG last season. Center Antonio and wing Jack Korte both averaged double figures and need to be replaced. Junior forward Malik Spearman saw major minutes last year and should see a significant increase in production. Junior Elijah Lonetree also returns to the rotation.
Hill-Murray Pioneers (2015-17 season 5-22, 3-12 Conference, 8th)
The Pioneers have a big task in replacing 30.9 PPG from PG Simeon Davis. The next 3 scorers do return but none were over 7 PPG. Lance Meniboon gives them an athletic perimeter player. Matt Langer and lefty forward Ryan Vimr also return to the rotation. Their guard play without Davis struggled last year. That means handling pressure could be a major problem.
Mahtomedi Zephyrs (2016-17 season 24-4, 14-2 Conference, 1st)
Mahtomedi built everything up for last year. Now the entire rotation has graduated. That includes high flying forward Parker Fox and his 23.3 PPG. Forward Jack Shay looks like the top option. Timmy Lindquist will be a top backcourt option. Soph center Cole Chapman will be an option as well.
North Polars (2016-17 season 17-10, 11-5 Conference, 4th)
Former Gopher player Damien Johnson takes over for Joe Janquart who moved on to Lakeville South. He has 2 nice pieces to work with as seniors Goodnews Kpegeol and PG Bryce Phillips return as the top 2 scorers (20.9 and 10 PPG). They'll miss the shooting of Josh Steckler (9.2 PPG). Dylan Bateman looks to replace that. Soph Brenden Lankford-Johnson saw minutes in the middle last year as a freshman. Tytist Dean should be the replacement on the wing for the athletic role guys they lost.
St. Thomas Academy Cadets (2016-17 season 24-8, 12-4 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Jason Birr took the Cadets to the state tourney last season. The Cadets look to repeat that with their top 3 scorers returning. Junior guard Jack Thompson leads the team with 16.3 PPG. Forward Sam Vascellaro is another solid option at 13 PPG. George Stewart works inside (9 PPG). A ton of role guys behind them need to be replaced. Junior Noah Chamberlain is the top candidate to break out.
Simley Spartans (2016-17 season 13-15, 5-10 Conference, 6th)
The 19 PPG mismatch quality of DeAndre Smith and 10.1 PPG from Logan Tschida need to be replaced. Senior Jake Binley averaged 19 PPG last season and could see a jump in that this season. He'll have help from shooter Sam Vujovich and junior Isaiah Robinson. Their size will be inexperienced. Skyler Clairmont looks to be their top option there.
South St. Paul Packers (2016-17 season 1-25, 0-16 Conference, 9th)
57 straight league home losses now for the Packers. All 3 double figure scorers and plenty of the rotation have graduated. Those double figure scorers accounted for almost 44 points per game. Mark Williams and Hamza Hussein appear to be top internal options. Rumor has it they've picked up some talented from the east side of St. Paul that could contribute.
Tartan Titans (2016-17 season 25-4, 14-2 Conference, 2nd)
Similar to Mahtomedi, Tartan also has to replace everything. That includes 4 double figure scorers lead by 18.5 PPG from D1 point guard Jordan Horn. However the Titans do have junior guard Antwan Kimmons (6 PPG) returning to the rotation as the top option. They do have some quality JV options moving up. That includes Andre Jenkins-Whitmore along with juniors Matt Maanum and M'Akil Weems. Senior Brady Hartman should provide size.
Predicted Order of Finish
- St. Thomas Academy
- North
- Tartan
- Mahtomedi
- Simley
- Hastings
- Henry Sibley
- Hill-Murray
- South St. Paul
St. Thomas Academy is the clear favorite with their stars and coach coming back. North can give them a run but will need time to adjust to the coaching change. After that heavy losses for last season's top teams. Tartan and Mahtomedi will rely on JV guys from last year. Hastings and Simley have 1 quality guy coming back but important losses. Sibley will try to ride Rieshaun Satar into that group. Hill-Murray and South St. Paul will struggle.
Conference MVP: Goodnews Kpegeol - North St. Paul
Underclassmen to watch:
- Cole Chapman - Mahtomedi
- Brenden Lankford-Johnson - North
- North at St. Thomas Academy - Jan 19th
- St. Thomas Academy at North - Feb 9th
- Chaska at North - Dec 2nd
- St. Thomas Academy vs Osseo - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
- North vs Eden Prairie - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
- St. Thomas Academy at Apple Valley - Dec 15th
- North at Woodbury - Dec 21st
- Cretin-Derham Hall at St. Thomas Academy - Dec 23rd
- St. Thomas Academy vs Hopkins - Dec 27th (UST Holiday Tourney)
- St. Thomas Academy vs Wayzata - Dec 28th (UST Holiday Tourney)
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