2019-20 Lake Conference Preview

This is the 10th preview in my 2019-2020 season preview series.  In this preview, let's stay in the west metro for a look at the Lake Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Buffalo Bison (2018-19 season 22-7, 11-2 Conference, 1st Mississippi 8 West)
Buffalo was poised for a big entry to the Lake.  But football star Aidan Bouman (15.4 PPG) is leaving for Iowa State early leaving a big hole on the front line.  Wing Tony Dahl blew out a knee this summer.  That leaves a big workload for leading scorer Matt Willert (17.7 PPG) on the wing.  Soph Antono Bluiett returns to run the show.  Brandon Maatz is another starting guard coming back with 12.2 PPG.  Trevor Johnson returns to provide depth.

Eden Prairie Eagles (2018-19 season 22-10, 4-4 Conference, 4th)
Eden Prairie will once again be a state contender.  They return an entire lineup even with losing forward Ariel Bland to prep school.  Liberty commit Drake Dobbs runs the show and leads the offense at 18.4 PPG.  Austin Andrews provides the old man game inside at 12.5 PPG.  Shooter John Henry and swiss army knife Connor Christensen man the wings at 13.8 and 12.8 PPG respectively.  Shooter Miles Frisch was a revelation off the bench last season during a time when the Eagles had a bunch of injuries.  Lukas Dunford will take over the big man spot and Brenden Donohue also returns at a guard spot.

Edina Hornets (2018-19 season 19-9, 5-3 Conference, Tie 2nd)
The Hornets lose lots of perimeter firepower including sharpshooter Jack Middleton and his 24.9 PPG.  Jacob Hutson returns in the middle to anchor the offense after averaging 19 PPG last season.  They should be able reload those guard spots from the JV squad with PG Miles Harrell and soph Sammy Presthus amongst others.  Junior Bastian Swinney gives them another big body that could see time.

Hopkins Royals (2018-19 season 27-4, 6-2 Conference, 1st)
Hopkins will as usual feature a high powered perimeter offense.  Kerwin Walton returns after averaging 16.8 PPG last year.  I expect a big increase there.  Transfers Cornell Richardson (Osseo) and Sawyer Shrake (Illinois) will also see backcourt time.  Juniors Andre Gray and Jaelen Treml return to the perimeter rotation as well.  The question is up front in trying to replace Arizona recruit Zeke Nnaji (24.6 PPG) and Dane Zimmer (7.9 PPG).  Elvis Nnaji is a raw athletic possibility there.

Minnetonka Skippers (2018-19 season 13-14, 0-8 Conference, 5th)
Former East Ridge coach Bryce Tesdahl takes the helm of Skippers ship.  Leading scorer Cameron Steele will anchor the lineup.  The bruising forward averaged 19.7 PPG last year and should be a great fit in the grit and grind style that coach Tesdahl wants to play.  Guard Riley O'Connor (7 PPG) returns on the perimeter.  After those 2, there's very little experience coming back.  Brock Banken, JT Gaffney and Ben Steiger are options in the front court.  Evan Arndt and soph Cohen Kellogg are options in the backcourt.

St. Michael-Albertville Knights (2018-19 season 20-8, 10-3 Conference, 2nd Mississippi 8 West)
STMA will have a couple pieces to work with.  Leading scorer Kale Hoselton (13.2 PPG) and guard Evan Wieker (9.1 PPG) return to the lineup.  Big man Austin Jentzen (8 PPG) graduated and PG Sean Buchanan (8 PPG) is now at Mayer Lutheran.  Peyton McLean will step into an expanded role on the wing.  Austin Haus and Nick Olson also return to the rotation.

Wayzata Trojans (2018-19 season 19-10, 5-3 Conference, Tie 2nd)
The Trojans need to replace the small but tough duo of Jacob Beeninga (17.2 PPG) and Luke Paulson (15 PPG) in the backcourt.  Beeninga's intangibles are the biggest loss.  Soph Camden Heide (13.5 PPG) and junior Kody Williams (10.2 PPG) are very talented and will lead the offense.  Junior Eddie Beeninga will continue the family line.  Jacob Wildermuth, Grant Bokovitz and skilled soph Carter Bjerke are front line pieces.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Eden Prairie 
2. Hopkins
3. Wayzata
4. Edina
5. Buffalo
6. Minnetonka 
7. St. Michael-Albertville

Conference Overview
Buffalo and St. Michael-Albertville make the big step up to the always tough Lake Conference.  This year is no different as every night will be a meat grinder.  Eden Prairie and Hopkins are the clear favorites.  Way too much firepower on the offensive end for both squads.  I see Edina and Wayzata in a fun battle for the 3rd spot.  Coin flip it.  Both teams terrific at moving the ball and hitting shots.  Then the last tier of teams.  All 3 are solid teams that will get beaten up in league play but you won't want to see them in the playoffs.

Conference MVP: Kerwin Walton - Hopkins

Underclassmen to watch:  

• Antonio Bluiett, Will Pool - Buffalo
• Sammy Presthus, Brady Helgren - Edina
• Elvis Nnaji - Hopkins
• Cohen Kellogg - Minnetonka 
• Johnny Tennyson - St. Michael-Albertville
• Camden Heide, Carter Bjerke, Ryan Harvey- Wayzata

Conference Games to Watch

• Eden Prairie at Hopkins - Jan 16th
• Hopkins at Eden Prairie - Feb 11th

 Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Hopkins vs Park Center - Nov 30th (Big 12 at Champlin Park)
• Eden Prairie vs Cretin-Derham Hall - Nov 30th (Big 12 at Champlin Park)
• Shakopee at Hopkins - Dec 7th (Tipoff Classic)
• Eden Prairie vs Prior Lake- Dec 7th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Eden Prairie at Eastview - Dec 12th
• Minnehaha at Hopkins - Dec 17th
• Eden Prairie at East Ridge - Dec 21st
• Eden Prairie at Chaska - Jan 3rd
• Hopkins at Champlin Park - Jan 3rd
• De La Salle at Hopkins - Jan 10th
• Eden Prairie at De La Salle - Feb 1st
• Eden Prairie at Minnehaha - Feb 18th
• Hopkins at Minneapolis North - Feb 24th