2018-19 Tri-Metro Preview

This is the 5th preview in my 2018-2019 season preview series.  Week 1 of the 6 week long series concludes with a look at the Tri-Metro Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Academy of Holy Angels Stars (2017-18 season 9-19, 3-9 Conference, 5th West)
Leading scorer Ryan Mazurek and his team leading 12.7 PPG have graduated from a guard spot.  Max Gerstner (10.5 PPG), junior Matt Banovetz and Tommy Shelstad also return to the rotation.  They also get 2 important guard transfers from Washburn in Charles Johnson and freshman Emmitt Johnson.  Emmitt saw extensive varsity time for Washburn last year.
 
Brooklyn Center Centaurs (2017-18 season 22-10, 7-5 Conference, 3rd West)
Thanks to the new local prep school, the Centaurs go from being a favorite to return to state to starting completely over with a youth movement a couple of years early.  Lu'Cye Patterson, Amahn Decker, Adreone Sprinkles and Rudy Tahir are all gone because of that.  That means the youth movement of 8th graders Maxsamus Wilson and Quyavant Douglas gets an early chance to contribute.  The schedule was brutal to begin with but now with a young roster, expect many youthful lumps.

Columbia Heights Hylanders (2017-18 season 22-7, 9-3 Conference, 2nd West)
What a season for the state AAA runner up knocking off 6 time champ De La Salle in the state semis after an ugly loss in the regular season finale.  They too have to rebuild losing all 5 starters.  Jarvis Wright is the one notable returnee with 10.4 PPG and he can heat up in a hurry.  Amir Davis and Jordan Jones look to take over the guard spots
 
Concordia Academy Beacons (2017-18 season 16-12, 5-6 Conference, 2nd East)
The Beacons return 2 of their 3 double figure scorers from last season.  That includes 16.3 PPG from senior forward Barnabas Preble and 11.4 PPG from junior guard Aaron TerHaar.  Guard Essay Hagos and forward Luke Raymond also return to the rotation.

De La Salle Islanders (2017-18 season 26-5, 12-0 Conference, 1st West)
The Islanders fell off the AAA throne after winning 6 straight state titles.  They look to make a run back to the top with their dynamic perimeter duo of PG Tyrell Terry (Stanford commit) and W Jamison Battle (George Washington commit).  The rest of the rotation including Minnesota commit Gabe Kalscheur (22.7 PPG, leading scorer) needs to be replaced though.  Jalen Travis looks to get major inside minutes especially with Malik Lamin gone.  But don't be shocked if the Islanders go small.  Washburn transfer Cade Haskins is one to keep an eye on in the 2nd half of the season.

Fridley Tigers (2017-18 season 16-10, 5-7 Conference, 4th West)
Coach Jim MacDonald has to replace his top 3 double figure scorers.  They combined for 48 PPG last year. Junior guard Isaac Burns averaged 10.9 PPG and looks to help make up the difference.  Frosh wing Hassan Kamara averaged 6 PPG and should average double figures this season.  Evan Shaw and Casey Fisher (PG) should see increased rotation time.

St. Agnes Aggies (2017-18 season 6-21, 0-11 Conference, 4th East)
The Aggies lose top scorer Marcus Johnson and 23 PPG.  Nobody else averaged double figures.  But the next 4 scorers from last season do return as part of 6 rotation players coming back.  Norman Strickland, Terrell Jones and Jacob Brezny will need to carry an offense that should be much more balanced than last year.  They also add Sam Masek from Trinity.  Size will again be an issue but junior Luke Plamann could help there.

St. Anthony Huskies (2017-18 season 13-14, 5-6 Conference, Tie 2nd East)
Junior point guard Tair Nelson will once again lead the way (17.8 PPG).  Joe Flett also returns along with a couple of bench guys.  They'll miss the firepower of shooting guard Aaron Smith and driver Mickey Jah.  Those 2 combined for 30 PPG last season.  Abe Jaeger Mountain and Jeremiah Lucas are big options for the center position.

St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders (2017-18 season 19-10, 6-5 Conference, 1st East)
The Crusaders lose 5 of their top 6 scorers.  That includes 3 double figure scorers led by North Dakota football recruit Garrett Maag (17.9 PPG).  Senior Ezra Blumer is the main returnee with 8.8 PPG and his shooting.  The cupboard is young but not bare.  Sophmores Zach Longueville (PG) and Xavier Garcia (W) will step into the open roles quite nicely

Predicted Order of Finish

East

1. Concordia
2. St. Croix Lutheran 
3. St. Anthony 
4. St. Agnes 

 West

1. De La Salle
2. Fridley
3. Columbia Heights
4. Holy Angels     
5. Brooklyn Center   

Conference MVP: Tyrell Terry - De La Salle

Conference Overview:
After a banner year for the west division with the 3 top teams making it to state, its time to rebuild.  Heavy losses for last year's top 4 teams.  De La Salle at least has a couple of stars left over.  Not the case for Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights and Fridley (Metro Alliance theme??) who all lost a truck load.  Holy Angels loses their top scorer but will get a huge boost from the Washburn guards transferring in.  De La Salle wins it by default.  Fridley goes 2nd with a couple of pieces coming back.  Columbia Heights takes 3rd because of Jarvis Wright.  Holy Angels could make a run here as they have pieces.  Brooklyn Center has pieces for the future but they will be ridiculously young.  Expect them to takes some youthful lumps.

In the east, I'm looking for Concordia to go from 0-11 in league 2 years ago to winning the division with plenty coming back.  St. Croix Lutheran is in an inbetween year but don't expect major dropoff there due to a talented sophomore group.  St. Anthony gets the nod for 3rd thanks to Tait Nelson.  St. Agnes still brings up the last spot with a lack of size and known go-to scorer.  Expect realignment for next year.  St. Agnes and Concordia depart for the new Skyline Conference.  Richfield enters from the Metro West.

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Maxsamus Wilson, Quyavant Douglas, Akeem Nelson - Brooklyn Center 
• Spencer Alvarez - Columbia Heights
• Cade Haskins - De La Salle 
• Hassan Kamara - Fridley
• Emmitt Johnson - Holy Angels
• Zach Longueville, Xavier Garcia - St. Croix Lutheran
• Max Kachman - St. Anthony

Conference Games to Watch

• St. Croix Lutheran at Concordia - Jan 15th
• Concordia at St. Croix Lutheran - Feb 12th

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• De La Salle vs Eden Prairie- Dec 1st (Big 12 at Cretin-Derham Hall)
• De La Salle vs Wayzata- Dec 8th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Minneapolis North at De La Salle - Jan 8th
• Hopkins at De La Salle - Jan 29th 
• Cretin-Derham Hall at De La Salle - Feb 16th
• Minnehaha at De La Salle - Feb 23rd