Eagle Ridge Academy Gryphons (2019-20 season 7-22, 1-13 Conference, Tie 7th)
The top 2 scorers have graduated. That includes wing Joshua Falk (12 PPG) and big man Justin Howard (9.1 PPG). This year's group will be heavy on juniors. Cade LaFavor, Hunter LaFavor, Tommy Chevalier and Soren Habel will be the feature players. Freshmen Kobe and Kristopher Keys also return to the rotation.
Heritage Christian Academy Eagles (2019-20 season 10-17, 7-7 Conference, 5th)
TJ Guggenberger and his 13.8 PPG will be difficult to replace as the go to guy. PG Evan Jacobson (9.2 PPG) also needs to be replaced. Seniors Ethan Virshek (14.7 PPG) and Steph Sawtelle (11.1 PPG) will carry the offense. No other returnee averaged more than 5 PPG. Jack Wicht gives them a body inside.
Legacy Christian Academy Lions (2019-20 season 24-4, 11-3 Conference, 2nd)
Legacy made a huge jump from 9 wins to 24 last season. 4 starters and the top 4 scorers return from that group. PG Jake Wald leads the way with 18.5 PPG but he suffered a nasty ankle injury during the offseason. He is expected back for the season. Harley Kendall (11.8 PPG) is another shooting option. Trenton Harrison and Brian Halcomb make up the forward duo.
Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity Bulldogs (2019-20 season 16-11, 11-3 Conference, Tie 2nd)
LP/HT returns 6 members of their rotation but also has to replace 2 of their 3 double figure scorers. Evan Lee was a solid point guard and Alex Heimerl was a steady presence on the front line. Guard Zach Jackson (12.3 PPG) leads the returning lineup. Soph Tanner Scheevel also returns to the backcourt. Jack Behning and Dexter Harrison will man the front line.
North Lakes Academy Huskies (2019-20 season 7-20, 1-13 Conference, Tie 7th)
North Lakes needs to replace their top 2 scorers. That includes Ethan Crandell (13.4 PPG) and over 1000 career points. There wasn't much scoring beyond the top 2. 3 freshmen saw time last year as part of building for the future.
PACT Charter Panthers (2019-20 season 12-16, 4-10 Conference, 6th)
The Panthers return 4 of their top 5 scorers. Senior wing Jordan Stone and his 18.2 PPG top that list. We went off for a school record 44 points (33 in 1st half) in their game at Eagle Ridge last season. Tyler Cowden (15 PPG) provides another shooting option. Braxton Akkerman looks to replace the size of Calvin Churchill inside.
Spectrum Sting (2019-20 season 14-13, 13-1 Conference, 1st)
Spectrum needs to replace one of the top guards in the league, Max Lawrence (22.5 PPG). Junior combo guard Titus Skistad averaged over 15 PPG last year and looks to be the goto guy this season. Aaron Walk and Landon Seigel return to the interior slots.
West Lutheran Warriors (2019-20 season 14-13, 8-6 Conference, 4th)
The Warriors have to replace their star forward Troy Kokkinen (16.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG). 2 other double figure scorers do return in the backcourt. Point guard Sam Bjorlin averaged 10.9 PPG and junior Christian Schmidt averaged 11.7 PPG. Garrett Tesmer also returns on the front line.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Legacy
- Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity
- Spectrum
- PACT
- Heritage
- West Lutheran
- Eagle Ridge
- North Lakes
Legacy is my clear favorite with most of their lineup returning. Jake Wald should be back to 100% for the big matchups late in the season. I see Eagle Ridge just ahead of North Lakes for the final spot. Beyond that its hard to pick. You have a group looking to move up with PACT returning most of their group while Heritage and West Lutheran return solid backcourts. Contrast that with significant losses for LP/HT and Spectrum in front of them. LP/HT moves to the Minnesota River Conference next season after a difficult fit for the last 17 years in the MCAA. They'll look to go out with a bang. I think their 6 returnees make them the next best pick. Spectrum not quite as deep but I'll pick them over their rival PACT. The league schedule has each team playing an opponent home and home in back to back games. That means my top 2 picks won't see each other until the final week of league play in mid-February.
Conference MVP: Jake Wald - Legacy
Underclassmen to watch:
- Kobi Keys, Kristopher Keys, Darrell Weston - Eagle Ridge
- Micah Strand - Legacy
- Tanner Scheevel - LP/HT
- Caleb Jensen, Keenan Zenkic - North Lakes
- Matthew Koosman - West Lutheran
- LP/HT at Legacy - Feb 8th
- Legacy at LP/HT - Feb 11th
- LP/HT at Watertown-Mayer - Dec 11th
- Mayer Lutheran at LP/HT - Feb 15th
- Mayer Lutheran at Legacy - Feb 26th
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