2020-21 Skyline Conference Preview

This is the fourth preview in my 2020-21 season preview series.  Moving up to largely class AA schools now.  Let's start with a look at the Skyline Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Concordia Academy Beacons (2019-20 season 20-8, 9-5 Conference, 4th)
The Beacons have to replace 4 starters.  That includes the quality backcourt of Essay Hagos (21.3 PPG) and sharpshooter Aaron TerHaar (14.1 PPG).  Forward Gary Legvold also graduated after being their main inside presence.  Jace Shields looks to fill his spot.  Soph wing AJ Greene averaged 12.5 PPG last year and will be the focus of the offense this season.  Wyatt Langevin and Jaden Quast are returning rotation options.

Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas (2019-20 season 15-13, 10-4 Conference, 3rd)
Cristo Rey has a major void at point guard with the graduation of James Sommer (21 PPG).  Wing Jaylen Cargill (7.1 PPG) also graduated.  Senior twins Erick and Derek Burgess lead the returnees.  Erick averaged 16.2 PPG and Derek averaged 12.9 PPG with both making the all-conference list.  BJ Hollowell and Savion Williams-Hondras also return to a lineup that is not deep.

Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs (2019-20 season 18-11, 11-3 Conference, 2nd)
Former Edina assistant Mike Landers takes over the program.  He'll have to replace 4 starters including PF Hakim Daniels (17.3 PPG) and PG Maciah Harut (15.2 PPG).  Junior SG Jeremiah LaVelle is the top returning scorer at 7.2 PPG.  Senior Will Kietzmann gives them a big option to put in the post.  The sophomore trio of Isaiah Bluford, Matthew Bluford and Bailey McDonald will step into the vacated perimeter roles after seeing significant minutes last year.

New Life Academy Eagles (2019-20 season 8-19, 4-10 Conference, 6th)
After a disappointing season, 4 starters have to be replaced.  St. Olaf assistant Tony Taylor takes over the program as the Eagles go from 1 former MIAC assistant to another.  Forward Michael Reader (13.2 PPG) and Konner Ware (11.6 PPG) are the main losses in the scoring column.  Junior sharp-shooting wing Kollin Kaemingk is the top returning scorer at 13.2 PPG.  Soph Erick Reader should step right into his brother's inside role after being his backup last year.  Soph Max Briggs should step into the point guard spot.

Nova Classical Academy Knights (2019-20 season 4-22, 0-14 Conference, 8th)
Former Henry Sibley head coach John Carrier takes over the program.  Its a major rebuilding effort.  Leading scorer Rayan Taha has transferred.  That leaves the Knights without a double figure scorer or a notable scoring threat.  The rest of last year's very young roster does return.

St. Agnes Aggies (2019-20 season 12-15, 6-8 Conference, 5th)
Coach Chris Hopkins has to replace 5 starters.  That includes his main 2 guard threats Jake Brezny (14.8 PPG) and Sam Masek.  Juniors Caleb Flood and Samuel Lopez look to take on bigger roles.  Senior Jevon Jones also returns.  Expect to see plenty of youth to go with them as the Aggies look toward the future.

St. Croix Prep Lions (2019-20 season 26-1, 14-0 Conference, 1st)
St. Croix Prep ran the table in the regular season.  Now they have to replace 3 starters.  That includes  league MVP Daniel McCarrell (17.2 PPG) and forwards Barrett Benson and Zach Doely (13 PPG).  But don't feel too sorry for coach Keven Seim.  He still has a loaded backcourt of seniors Addison Metcalf (18.3) and Andrew Howard (11.4 PPG).  Both were all-conference players last year.  Senior Teige Lethert also returns on the front line.  Sam Johnson provides guard depth.

Trinity Tri-Hawks (2019-20 season 8-22, 2-12 Conference, 7th)
Trinity dropped from 20 wins to 8 wins as they went into rebuild mode by playing 4 sophomores.  The top 2 big men need to be replaced including leading scorer Isaac Showalter (11.2 PPG).  Junior Zach Martin is the top returning scorer at 7.7 PPG.  Forward Ben Erickson and junior PG Kip Knippel also return to the starting lineup.  Juniors Joe Rudquist and Sam Bormann also return to the rotation

Predicted Order of Finish

1. St. Croix Prep
2. Cristo Rey
3. Maranatha  
4. New Life  
5. Concordia 
6. St. Agnes
7. Trinity 
8. Nova Classical

Conference Overview
After a great year last year in the league, its time to pay the piper.  Major losses for every team in the league.  St. Croix Prep with 3 top pieces coming back is my pick.  Cristo Rey and Maranatha both have enough perimeter talent coming back to stay in the top half.  I see green in the middle with Concordia and New Life battling for the final spot in the top half.  The bottom of the league is going to be ugly with St. Agnes, Trinity and Nova all struggling.  The schedule for these teams is a convoluted mess, its sorta double round-robin for conference play but some games are skipped.  They have a partnership to play everybody in the IMAC but Nova and Minnehaha really aren't in it.  I give up.

Conference MVP: Addison Metcalf - St Croix Prep

Underclassmen to watch: 

• AJ Greene- Concordia
• Bailey McDonald, Isaiah Bluford, Matthew Bluford - Maranatha
• Erick Reader, Max Briggs - New Life
• Paul Plasch, Elonzo Simmons, Andrew Weber, Daniel Koontz - St. Agnes 
• Bjorn Benson, Cade Hanson - St. Croix Prep

Conference Games to Watch

• Cristo Rey at St. Croix Prep - Jan 28th
• St. Croix Prep at Cristo Rey - Feb 19th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Blake at St. Croix Prep - Jan 14th
  
• St. Croix Prep at Twin Cities Academy/Great River - Jan 19th
• Twin Cities Academy/Great River at Cristo Rey - Feb 2nd