2017-18 Suburban East Conference Preview

This is the 13th preview in my 2017-2018 season preview series.  In this preview, we reach the mid-point of this 6 week series.  The conference previews end here with a look at the Suburban East Conference.  Next week, we start looking at the metro area sections.  For a list of all the season previews and how they were generated, click here.

Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders (2016-17 season 23-9, 13-3 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Jerry Kline returns a loaded lineup with his entire starting 5 coming back.  Minnesota commit Daniel Oturu mans the middle and leads the team in scoring at 19.6 PPG.  PG Ryan Larson (13.7) and wings Jake Prince and Jaeden King also averaged double figures.  Sy Chatman returns inside as well.  Plus the Raiders have a ton of backup options at the wing spots.

East Ridge Raptors (2016-17 season 22-6, 14-2 Conference, Tie 1st)
Head coach Paul Virgin retired and has been replaced by Bryce Tesdahl.  Tesdahl comes over after a couple of very nice seasons at New Prague. He has some great talent to build with.  Junior wing Courtney Brown (19.5 PPG), soph F Ben Carlson (11.5 PPG) and frosh wing Kendall Brown are highly regarded prospects in their classes.  Shooter Nick Christensen (14.7 PPG) and forward Zach Bennett (8.6 PPG) are the main losses.  TJ Kelly looks to slot in at a guard spot.

Forest Lake Rangers (2016-17 season 19-10, 10-6 Conference, 4th)
PG Jake Larson (20.1 PPG) and Mitch Jerde (16.2 PPG) were the 2 double figure scorers and need to be replaced.  That should be handled by the shooting of transfer Manny Jingco who was Stillwater's top scorer at 20.6 PPG last season.  Junior F John Schrader (9.9 PPG) returns to the starting lineup. Seniors Thad Ball and Connor Hale return in the backcourt.
   
Mounds View Mustangs (2016-17 season 12-16, 7-9 Conference, 6th)
SG Nick McMillan and his 21 PPG have graduated along with F Brian Stone (11.9 PPG).  Center Michael Fahim is the top returnee at 6.4 PPG.  Brendan Kauls also returns inside  (3.6 PPG).  Josh Albers returns as the top perimeter option (4.9 PPG)

Park Wolfpack (2016-17 season 7-20, 1-15 Conference, Tie 8th)
JV coach Mike Weah steps up to the head spot to replace Ed Cassidy.  Junior forward Charlie Gorres was the team leader at 14.9 PPG last season.  The  next 2 scorers including 14.8 PPG from Brendan Beaulieu need to be replaced.  Junior F Rodney Jefferson is an athletic wing and averaged 8 PPG.  Junior Jeremiah Smith gives them a big body inside.  Cole Herder returns at a guard spot.

Roseville Raiders (2016-17 season 9-18, 8-8 Conference, 5th)
The Raiders got off to a 2-11 start but finished 7-7 and dead even in Suburban East play.  Junior G Jovan Hunter returns after leading the team with 11.5 PPG last season.  But the biggest changes are 2 transfers.  Ray'Sean Treadwell to had to play JV last year after seeing minutes at Cretin-Derham Hall 2 years ago.  Gary Smith was the top guy at St. Agnes last year.  Those are a pair of explosive wings.  Juniors Mario Dukes and Yohanes Gebeyehu are other guard options with senior Avery Nelson.  Nolan Wald returns with size.

Stillwater Ponies (2016-17 season 3-24, 1-15 Conference, Tie 8th)
Leading scorer Manny Jingco (20.6 PPG) left for league rival Forest Lake.  Senior Devontae Hatcher is the top returning scorer at 8.7 PPG.  Evan Parker and Josh Lorenson return to the rotation.  PG Nate Shikenjanski also returns.

White Bear Lake Bears (2016-17 season 6-21, 4-12 Conference, 7th)
The youth movement continued last year for the Bears.  This year they return their 3 top scorers all in double figures.  Blake Charles (11 PPG) and Jeremy Beckler (10.3 PPG) make up the front line.  Sam Schwartz (10.8 PPG) returns on the perimeter.  Austin Schochet (5.9 PPG) and Josh Griefenhagen (5.7 PPG) are other experienced perimeter players.

Woodbury Royals (2016-17 season 20-8, 14-2 Conference, Tie 1st)
Davidson commit Michael Jones returns and should be one of the state's top scorers after averaging 25.2 PPG last season.  That's only partly due to losing the next 5 scorers on the roster.  The guard duo of Jeremiah Coddon and Jake West (over 28 PPG combined) plus shooter Ike Thilgen were all in double figures.  Guard DJ Fleming has the most returning experience of the guards.  Football star David Alston is a possible inside option.  Senior Ryan Christensen and Soph Drew Bramlett should move into the rotation.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Cretin-Derham Hall   
2. East Ridge  
3. Forest Lake 
4. Roseville
5. Woodbury  
6. White Bear Lake 
7. Mounds View   
8. Park
9. Stillwater  

Conference Overview:
The top is a clear battle between Cretin-Derham Hall and East Ridge.  Those are 2 elite AAAA teams above the rest of the league.  The group of 3 are solid teams with no size.  Forest Lake is sound and Manny Jingco gives them a quality scorer.  Michael Jones is my MVP of the league so Woodbury can't drop that far, but how much help does he have.  Roseville took early lumps but was vastly improved in the 2nd half.  Add in a couple of high flying guys on the wing and they move up.  White Bear Lake didn't have a good win last year but they have a lot coming back.  Mounds View won't wow you but they'll be sound.  Park and Stillwater bring up the rear.

Conference MVP: Michael Jones - Woodbury

Underclassmen to watch:  

• Amari Carter - Cretin-Derham Hall
• Ben Carlson, Kendall Brown - East Ridge
• Jake Radabaugh - Mounds View
• TJ Favilla - Roseville
• Matt Moore, Ben Snyder - Stillwater
• Drew Bramlett - Woodbury

Conference Games to Watch

• East Ridge at Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 15th
• Cretin-Derham Hall at East Ridge - Jan 30th

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• East Ridge vs Minnehaha - Dec 2nd (Girls Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Cretin-Derham Hall at Hopkins - Dec 2nd (Girls Tipoff Classic at Hopkins) 
• Cretin-Derham Hall vs Orono - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins) 
• Cretin-Derham Hall at St. Thomas Academy - Dec 23rd
• East Ridge at Wayzata - Feb 6th
• De La Salle at Cretin-Derham Hall - Feb 10th