2020-21 Lake Conference Preview

This is the 14th preview in my 2020-2021 season preview series.  In this preview, I finish my look at my normal list of conferences with a look at the Lake Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Buffalo Bison (2019-20 season 16-13, 5-7 Conference, 4th)
The Bison have to replace buckets man Matt Willert (25.3 PPG) on the wing and guard Brandon Maatz (14 PPG).  The lineup will be junior heavy.  Guards Antonio Bluett (13.4 PPG) and Carter Jackson (3.7 PPG) return to the starting lineup.  Zach Zrust mans the post and Will Pool is another solid wing option.  Senior wing Luke Gunderson should round out the main lineup.

Eden Prairie Eagles (2019-20 season 28-0, 12-0 Conference, 1st)
The Eagles were set to complete one of the greatest seasons in state history when COVID hit in the spring.  They were 13-0 against teams that won their league or were ranked at the end of the season with only 3 of those games at home.  Now they have to replace the entire lineup including all 4 double figure scorers who combined for almost 65 PPG.  The guard spots should be set with Cole Tiran, defensive minded Will Foster and junior Ryan Warren.  The size will be inexperienced.

Edina Hornets (2019-20 season 13-14, 4-8 Conference, Tie 5th)
Big man Jacob Hutson and his team leading 17 PPG are off to Loyola (IL) for college.  The next 4 scorers are coming back with a pair of juniors lead the the way.  Combo forward Brady Helgren averaged 10.9 PPG while PG Sammy Presthus averaged 8.9 PPG.  Senior guard Marcus Crawford (8.8 PPG) and forward Bastian Swinney (6.4 PPG) are also back in the lineup.

Hopkins Royals (2019-20 season 24-5, 10-2 Conference, 2nd)
Hopkins has to replace their top 3 scorers.  Kerwin Walton (26.9 PPG) is off to the University of North Carolina.  Cornell Richardson (9.3 PPG) graduated and Andre Gray (8.5 PPG) is now at Minneapolis North.  Wing Xavier White leads the returning scorers with 6.9 PPG.  Combo guard Jaelen Treml averaged 6.2 PPG.  Forward Elvis Nnaji leads the front line with 6.6 PPG.  Forwards Tristan Lee and Andrew Chisley also return to the rotation.  South St. Paul transfer Max Wilson should nicely fit into the role vacated by Andre Gray.

Minnetonka Skippers (2019-20 season 12-15, 4-8 Conference, Tie 5th)
Power forward Cam Steele and 25 PPG have graduated.  Big wings Riley O'Connor and JT Gaffney have also graduated after both averaging double figures as well.  The guard rotation is overflowing.  Junior Cohen Kellogg (4.1 PPG) along with sophs Jalen Cain (7.3 PPG) and Burnsville transfer Ibo El-Amin fill the ball handling and shooting spots.  Vlad Ciubataru (4.2 PPG) also returns to that group.  The front line is a question mark.  Vince Brown and Jacob Durenburger look to be the top interior options.

St. Michael-Albertville Knights (2019-20 season 8-20, 0-12 Conference, 7th)
The Knights struggled through their first year in the Lake Conference.  Now they have to replace most of the rotation.  Wings Evan Wieker (13.6 PPG) and Kale Hoselton (13.4 PPG) need to be replaced along their dunker spot guy Jack Carroll (11.8 PPG).  Junior guard Johnny Tennyson (10.1 PPG) is the lone returning starter.  Nathan Coulson and Uriah Purcell are shooting options.  Jack Hulting should see rotation time.  Wyatt Blakstvedt (3.2 PPG) returns to the rotation.

Wayzata Trojans (2019-20 season 11-17, 7-5 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Bryan Schnettler returns 5 of his top 6 scorers from an injury ravaged season.  The junior class is very experienced and again leads the way.  Wing Camden Heide (15.2 PPG) and sharpshooting power forward Carter Bjerke (14.5 PPG) were the team scoring leaders last year.  Senior Kody Williams (12.3 PPG) is their best creator off the bounce.  Guards Drew Berkland (9.8 PPG), Eddie Beeninga (8.3 PPG) and Ryan Harvey (6 PPG) surround that group with shooting.

Predicted Order of Finish

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

Conference Overview
Wayzata gets the nod here as they have most of their lineup returning.  Hopkins losing Andre Gray is a big loss that they'll have to address.  Who scores for them after Xavier White?  Max Wilson looks to be that guy.  Edina and Minnetonka will try to jump into the mix.  Edina gets the nod here with a more versatile lineup.  It'll be interesting to see how Minnetonka manages all their guards.  Buffalo could make a run here too.  Eden Prairie loses a ton and in a traditionally tough league, that's a big drop.  St. Michael-Albertville has too much to replace to move up.

Conference MVP: Camden Heide - Wayzata

Underclassmen to watch:  

• Easton Breyfogle - Edina
  
• Ibo El-Amin- Minnetonka 
• Hayden Tibbits - Wayzata
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Wayzata at Hopkins - Jan 19th
• Hopkins at Wayzata - Feb 12th
  

 Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Hopkins at De La Salle - Dec 8th
• Moorhead at Wayzata - Dec 12th
  
• Hopkins at Minnehaha Academy - Dec 17th 
• Wayzata at Chaska - Dec 17th
• Hopkins at Orono - Jan 5th
• Hopkins at Chaska - Feb 2nd
  
• Wayzata at Minnehaha Academy - Feb 4th
  
• Minneapolis North at Hopkins - Feb 22nd