2020-21 Wright County Conference East Preview

This is the 15th preview in my 2020-21 season preview series.  Its often asked for and never forgotten.  Therefore its only fitting that my first bonus preview is the East division of the Wright County Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Delano Tigers (2019-20 season 25-4, 8-2 Conference, 2nd)
Delano loses 4 starters including 2 top scorers in forwards Terron O'Neill (21.2 PPG) and Keagan Smith (18.6 PPG).  Versatile forward Trey Longstreet (14.5 PPG) is a very good returning piece to build around.  Lengthy forward Carter Tool and guard Colin Tolkkinen are 2 pieces that saw limited rotation time in many games.  Guards Trent Techam and Ty Weiman should move up from JV into rotation roles.

Holy Family Fire (2019-20 season 11-17, 2-8 Conference, 5th)
Guard Nick Hendler (13 PPG) was the lone double-figure scorer last year.  Forward Seth Thompson is now playing football at Northern Illinois.  Guard Noah Seck is the top returning scorer with 9.4 PPG.  Jake Kirsch and Gavin Lund return to the guard rotation.  Sophomore Boden Kapke is one of the top big man prospects in his class.  He should see a much increased role.

Hutchinson Tigers (2019-20 season 15-13, 3-7 Conference, 4th)
The school's career scoring leader Russell Corrigan is off to Boise State to play football.  That leaves a big hole in the middle of the Tigers lineup.   The cupboard isn't bare as the rest of the roster for this traditional football power returns.  Talented junior wing Sam Rensch (13.8 PPG) is the top returnee.  Junior post Brayden Johnson and senior Jordan Klinker (7.2 PPG) look to replace Corrigan's production on the front line. The guard play all returns with seniors Zachary Kuseske (13.3 PPG) and Billy Marquart (5 PPG) plus juniors Devon Verhasselt (5.2 PPG) and Aaron Elliot (5.1 PPG)

Jordan Hubmen (2019-20 season 21-7, 13-1 Minnesota River Conference, 1st)
Jordan makes the move to the Wright County Conference this season.  4 starters including star wing Ryan Samuelson (19.1 PPG) need to be replaced.  They'll build around point guard Reagan Koch (15 PPG).  He's committed to Division 2 school Colorado School of Mines.  Forwards Jojo Kleoppel (6.2 PPG) and Cam Dean (3.5 PPG) return to the rotation.  Junior Ashton Sivilay (5 PPG) is another returning guard.  Not much size for the lineup though.

Mound-Westonka Whitehawks (2019-20 season 21-7, 13-1 Wright County West Conference, 1st)
While the Whitehawks have to replace 3 of their top 4 scorers, they still have high expectations.  Leading scorer Jameson Sexton (15 PPG) and post Connor Prok (7.4 PPG) are 2 important losses.  Junior guard Jason Spaeth (10.6 PPG) leads the offense.  PG Santi Phommahaxay returns with forwards Logan Leonard and Jack Linder.  A talented JV squad from last year with juniors Jake Dallman and Jack Eberhart and soph Reese Vanderwilt will provide quality depth options.

New Prague Trojans (2019-20 season 5-21, 1-9 Conference, 6th)
Coach Dan Peterka has to replace 4 of his top 5 scorers.  Guard Parker Johnson and his 21.8 PPG is the biggest loss.  Tommy Traxler (6.2 PPG) is the top returning scorer.  Andrew Nerud is an option for size in the middle.  Matthew Kudrle and Ian Liliquist are other rotation options.

Orono Spartans (2019-20 season 10-17, 6-4 Conference, 3rd)
Orono got off to a rough start before playing better in the 2nd half of an abnormally down season.  They expect to bounce back in a big way with all 5 starters and 7 rotation guys coming back.  Bouncy PF Connor Chappell (15 PPG) had a big summer.  Junior shooter Sebastian Loder (10.3 PPG) is the other returning double-figure scorer.  Andrew Mandel (6.8 PPG) gives them a big body in the middle.  Guards Jacob Farrell and AJ Anhorn  round out those starters.  Soph guard Kyle Kallenbach and senior forward Graham Beltrand provide experienced depth.

Waconia Wildcats (2019-20 season 24-5, 10-0 Conference, 1st)
The Wildcats have to replace shooting guard PJ Hayes and his 23.4 PPG.  Connor Schwab's 11.5 PPG will also be missed.  Forward Spencer Swanson and his interior 15.6 PPG is a great start to address that.  Connor Behrens and Ben Christians are primary options behind him.  Wally Wisniewski and Tyson  Freeburg also saw rotation minutes last season.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Orono
2. Mound-Westonka  
   
3. Delano
   
4. Waconia
5. Hutchinson
   
6. Holy Family
7. Jordan
8. New Prague
   

Conference Overview
The East division has traditionally been a very rugged test for its teams.  So why not make it even tougher by adding last year's West division champs and the Minnesota River champion.  But this configuration is a 1 year only deal, possibly like this preview.  Orono, Waconia and New Prague are departing for the Metro West Conference next season.  That's a move I've thought should have happened long ago.  Southwest Christian will follow Jordan from the Minnesota River Conference as a replacement.

As to this season, once again it will be tough.  You have a pair of top 10 level teams in class AAA at the top.  Orono with everybody back gets my nod despite the Whitehawks winning the matchup last year.  Delano with Trey Longstreet as an anchor gets the nod over Waconia.  Those 2 teams just reload every year so don't count them out.  Hutchinson with most of their lineup back will look to break into the top 4.  Holy Family falls in just behind that group but they have a nice piece in Kapke to build around.  Jordan will battle them but even with Reagan Koch the loss of 4 starters and jumping up into AAA league is too much to ask in year 1.  New Prague was in the cellar last year and loses a ton.  Can't see them making a move.

Conference MVP: Connor Chappell - Orono

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Boden Kapke - Holy Family
• Reese Vanderwilt - Mound-Westonka
  
• Kyle Kallenbach, Grant Gunderson - Orono
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Orono at Mound-Westonka - Jan 26th
• Mound-Westonka at Orono - Feb 19th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Mound Westonka at Blake - Dec 11th
  
• Hopkins at Orono - Jan 5th