2018-19 Metro East Conference Preview

This is the 8th preview in my 2018-2019 season preview series.  Due to the annual MEA break, I'll also take the 2 day hiatus and end week 2 with a look at the Metro East Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and an explanation of how the previews are generated, click here.

Hastings Raiders (2017-18 season 13-14, 9-7 Conference, 5th)
The Raiders have to replace their top 2 scorers in forward Sawyer Levos and Grant Hollar.  They combined for almost 24 PPG last year.  But 3 starters and 2 reserves do return. Junior guard Devon Haraldson provides shooting.  Forwards Matt Schlottman and Isaac Rabaey return to a big front line.  Both scored 9 PPG last year.  Junior guards Dylan Wagner (9.6 PPG) and Colby Zak (5.1 PPG) return to guard spots.  Expect a very balanced lineup once again.

Henry Sibley Warriors (2017-18 season 9-18, 5-11 Conference, 6th)
Coach John Carrier has to replace his point guard and leading scorer Rieshaun Satar (19.6 PPG).  The next 4 leading scorers return to the lineup.  Versatile forward Malik Tschida-Spearman (16.1 PPG) will be the top option.  But he's coming off a football injury which will slow the start of his season.  Ty Zubulake (11 PPG) and Eli Lone Tree should be other primary offensive options. 

Hill-Murray Pioneers (2017-18 season 3-24, 2-14 Conference, Tie 8th)
Jacob Robasse takes over the program with a ground level rebuild ahead of him.  No one averaged double figures last year and 4 of the top 5 scorers are gone.  Guard Kenny Larmie leads the returnees with 7.5 PPG.  Octavius Wilson is the lone returning starter (6 PPG).  Mitch Gutknecht (6.5 PPG) also returns to the rotation.

Mahtomedi Zephyrs (2017-18 season 21-8, 11-5 Conference, 4th)
Mahtomedi loses 2 double figure scorers in forwards Jack Shay (13.5 PPG) and Karmoga Lero (10.2 PPG).  But 3 starters and 3 double figure scorers return to the lineup along with 2 reserves.  Leading scorer J'Vonne Hadley averaged 15.7 PPG.  Zac Centers averaged 12.2 PPG.  Junior Cole Chapman averaged 5.1 PPG.  Devin Melzer and his 7.2 PPG also returns to the lineup.

North Polars (2017-18 season 23-5, 15-1 Conference, 1st)
The defending conference champs have to replace most of their rotation.  That includes long time starters Goodnews Kpegeol (18.2 PPG) and PG Bryce Phillips (11.1 PPG).  Junior forward Brenden Lankford-Johnson (6.2 PPG) will be one of the ones expected to pick up the slack.  Guard Dajuan Carter will have a perpetual green light so expect volume numbers from him.  He averaged 11.8 PPG in bench minutes last year.

St. Thomas Academy Cadets (2017-18 season 22-10, 13-3 Conference, 2nd)
The Cadets have to replace their top 2 scorers in forwards Sam Vascellaro and George Stewart.  They combined for almost 30 PPG.  PG Jack Thompson is the leading option with 12.3 PPG last year.  Noah Chamberlain (6.7 PPG) should fit nicely into Vascellaro's role from last year.  The rest of the rotation will be mix and match with players like Tony Wright and Jack Stolpman.

Simley Spartans (2017-18 season 11-17, 3-13 Conference, 7th)
Star forward Jake Binley and 19.8 PPG needs to be replaced.  Isaiah Robinson and his 19.2 PPG do return.  Expect him to have another big season.  Milton Carnes and Cole Tschida also return to the rotation.  Guard Evan Johnson will also see time.

South St. Paul Packers (2017-18 season 7-20, 2-14 Conference, Tie 8th)
A notable improvement for the Packers last year despite playing 6 underclassmen.  That experience will serve them well this year.  Soph Marquise Gleb returns at a guard spot.  Juniors Trystan Patnode and Josh Osborne also return.  Junior Dohntae Vance provides a returning inside presence.

Tartan Titans (2017-18 season 22-5, 12-4 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Mark Klingsporn returns PG Antwan Kimmons who raised his averaged from 6 PPG to 20 PPG last year.  The next 2 scoring options graduated in guard Andre Jenkins-Whitmore and forward Brady Hartman.  That's a problem for a team that had trouble generating offense last year so expect Kimmons to see lots of box and 1 type concepts this year.  But with returnees like Joe Kearney, Dante Aganmwonyi, M'akil Weems and Dorian Singer they have plenty of experience.  Lots of interchangeable pieces on the defensive end for one of the best defensive teams in the metro.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Mahtomedi
2. Tartan
3. St. Thomas Academy     
4. Hastings
5. North
6. Henry Sibley 
7. Simley
8. South St. Paul
9. Hill-Murray 

Conference Overview
Mahtomedi and Tartan should battle for the conference title with both returning most of their lineups.  The middle group of St. Thomas Academy, Hastings and North should be very interesting to watch.  They each provide something very different in terms of experience and style of play.  Neighbors Sibley and Simley should battle for the next 2 spots with South St. Paul possibly jumping up into that group.  Hill-Murray starts over at the bottom.

Conference MVP: Antawn Kimmons - Tartan

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Andrew Chambers - Hill-Murray
• Laron Thomas, Murl Smith - North
• Yenika Fondungallah - St. Thomas Academy
• Marquise Gleb, Ishman Ricmond, Kaiden Rucker - South St. Paul
• Dorian Singer - Tartan

Conference Games to Watch

• Tartan at Mahtomedi - Jan 3rd
• Mahtomedi at Tartan - Jan 31st

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Tartan vs Edina - Dec 8 (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)