Hastings Raiders (2018-19 season 9-18, 7-9 Conference, 5th)
The big front line of Isaac Rabaey and Matt Schottman along with Sully Levos are gone. That costs the Raiders their top 3 scorers from last year. Guard Devon Haraldson returns from injury to lead the offense. Colby Zak (7.6 PPG) and Trey Swanson (8.0 PPG) return to the lineup. Jackson Kirchoff and Izzy Arnold also saw rotation time last year.
Henry Sibley Warriors (2018-19 season 6-21, 6-10 Conference, 6th)
Its a rebuilding year for the Warriors. 7 of the top 8 scorers are gone. That includes 16.4 PPG from forward Malik Spearman. Junior forward Cameron Latvis averaged 5.9 PPG last year to lead all returnees. Dewayne Thompson is the only other returnee with significant experience.
Hill-Murray Pioneers (2018-19 season 3-24, 0-16 Conference, 9th)
Scott Wadie comes over from the Park of Cottage Grove girls program to be the 3rd head coach in 3 years for the Pioneers. Leading scorer Octavius Wilson and his 14.6 PPG graduated. Forward Kenny Larmie (13.3 PPG) and guard Mitch Gutknecht (10.7 PPG) lead the group of the next 5 top scorers coming back. Most of the roster back but its a major rebuilding project.
Mahtomedi Zephyrs (2018-19 season 25-7, 15-1 Conference, Tie 1st)
The Zephyrs lose 4 starters including star wing J'Vonne Hadley who transferred to Cretin-Derham Hall. His 28.6 PPG leaves a big hole in the lineup along losing 2 other double figure scorers. Center Cole Chapman (5.5 PPG) returns inside. Forward Luke Ricker will be a primary option on the front line. Forward Cal Greene and guard Brody Fox are options to fill the open spots.
North Polars (2018-19 season 16-11, 11-5 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Coach Damien Johnson has the Polars primed for a big year and a brutally tough schedule in the first 2 weeks of the season to prove it. Bombadier Dajuan Carter's 28.4 PPG need to be replaced. Expect Shaheed Muhammed to step right into the main offensive role after averaging 15.1 PPG last year. The rest of the roster is a bunch of athletic interchangeable pieces that can give a team fits. Forward Brendan Lankford-Johnson is the most versatile of those pieces.
St. Thomas Academy Cadets (2018-19 season 17-12, 11-5 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The Cadets have to replace almost everybody. That includes Sioux Falls recruit Jack Thompson 18.4 PPG at the point and 16.1 PPG from Noah Chamberlain (now at SW MN State). Yenika Fondungallah is the only notable rotation returnee at 3.7 PPG. Stephen Betts and Jamie Smith will look to fill guard spots. Soph Nathan Johnson and junior Ryan Chamberlain look to fill frontcourt spots.
Simley Spartans (2018-19 season 10-17,4-12 Conference, 7th)
Longtime coach Ben Bushaw recently resigned so there's no head coach at the time of this writing. Guard Isaiah Robinson (17.2 PPG) departs but there are a couple double-figure pieces to work with. Soph RJ Jioklow (15.8 PPG) returns on a wing. Junior guard Breyton Buysman (13.5 PPG) is another double figure scorer coming back. Junior Luke Vandermeer takes over in the middle. Junior Ben Vujovich and soph Devin Robinson will also contribute.
South St. Paul Packers (2018-19 season 8-19, 3-13 Conference, 8th)
Coach Matt McCollister hits the ground running after coming over from Brooklyn Center. Talented soph guard Alonzo Dodd (14.4 PPG) and wing Marquise Gleb (16.8 PPG) lead a group that graduated only 1 player. Freshman wing Maximus Wilson transfers in from Brooklyn Center and will be a significant piece as well. The group will still be young but very dangerous.
Tartan Titans (2018-19 season 25-3, 15-1 Conference, Tie 1st)
Star point guard Antwan Kimmons and his 20.8 PPG needs to replaced. Defensive minded forwards Dante Aganmwonyi and M'Akil Weems also graduated. This year's offense will be more balanced that we've seen in a while with point guard Dorian Singer (11.3 PPG) and wings Joseph Kearney (11.6 PPG) and Langston Binns (7.9 PPG). Beyond 6'10" junior Evan Meskill there's little size on the roster.
Predicted Order of Finish
- North
- Tartan
- Mahtomedi
- South St. Paul
- Hastings
- Simley
- St. Thomas Academy
- Henry Sibley
- Hill-Murray
North is just too deep for everybody else in the league. Tartan's perimeter play and tradition keep them second. In a very down year for the league, South St. Paul makes a big jump despite their youth. Mahtomedi and Hastings are top half quality as well. Simley with their returnees looks to jump into that mix. The Mendota Heights neighbors both have years where they'll be starting fresh. Hill-Murray presses the reset key once again but will have experience coming back.
Conference MVP: Shaheed Muhammed - North
Underclassmen to watch:
- Rashad McKinley Nino Johnson - Hill-Murray
- Shawn West-Zimpel, Kenny Daily - North
- Nathan Johnson, Michael Kirchner - St. Thomas Academy
- RJ Jioklow, Devin Robinson - Simley
- Alonzo Dodd, Maximus Wilson - South St. Paul
- Jaylon Washington- Tartan
- Tartan at North - Jan 14th
- North at Tartan - Feb 14th
- Cretin-Derham Hall at North - Dec 3rd
- De La Salle at North - Dec 5th
- North vs Spring Lake Park - Dec 7th (Breakdown Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
- Minnehaha at North - Dec 11th
- Eden Prairie at North - Dec 17th
- Tartan at Mound-Westonka - Feb 6th
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