2021-22 Independents Preview

Welcome to the Czar's 15th annual season preview series.  This is the first preview in the 2021-2022 series.  The previews will once again be done starting with small schools and working up to the big schools.  When its all done, a final high-level preview will complete the series.  That means the we'll start with the tiny independent charter schools.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.   

Chesterton Academy Knights  (2020-21 season 0-5)
4 starters return from last season.  Michael Hornecker and Dominic Lememis are primary offensive options.

CHOF Lions (2020-21 season 10-6)
CHOF had to play their entire schedule on the road last season.  They'll have to replace 4 top scorers including 3 that averaged double figures.  Guards Skyler Alleman, Jared Harms and Henry Blum will lead the way.  Size is a question mark.

High School for Recording Arts Falcons (2020-21 season 0-0)
Did not play in 2020-21 season.

Hope Academy Lions (2020-21 season 6-12)
Hope loses 1 senior in forward Kaleb Dube.  He was their 1 interior option as the dump off guy in their dribble drive system.  Everybody else returns including the high-scoring guard duo of Elijah Wade (26.7 PPG) and Jordan Brown (18.6 PPG).  Wade is a triple-double threat on any given night.  Once again it will be a small group that will get up and down and shoot a ton of 3s.

Kaleidoscope Comets (2020-21 season 10-8)
The Comets return almost everybody from their rotation.  Junior PG Michael Jude pushes the pace along with his 24 PPG.  Lefty wing AJ Kargel (15.7 PPG) provides a shooting threat.  They are the main 2 offensive threats.  Undersized forward Matt Aasen averaged a double double of 11/11.  Its a group that has played together for a couple of years so tons of experience.  They too are heavily reliant on the 3 point shot.

Lakes International Language Academy Dragons (2020-21 season 3-15)
Lakes International loses most of their roster.  The notable loss is forward Strom Norcross who did everything for them the last 2 seasons.  2 starters returning will lead the offense.  That includes forward Jake Fakler inside.

Lincoln International Eagles (2020-21 season 0-0)
Did not play in 2020-21 season.

Metro Schools College Prep Lions (2020-21 season 4-7)
They will press and play fast.  Very dependent on turnovers to produce offense.

Minnesota Transitions Wolves (2020-21 season 0-0)
Did not play in 2020-21 season.  Unknown if they'll return for this season.

Prairie Seeds Academy Lycans (2020-21 0-0)
Did not play in 2020-21 season.

Twin Cities Academy/Great River Tigers (2020-21 season 11-6)
Senior guards Carrington and Carmello McNeal once again lead the way for the Tigers.  The twin guards averaged 20.9 and 16.6 PPG respectively.  Look for them to be triple double threats this season.  Junior guard Kensen Yang (6.2 PPG) is the only other returnee from last season.  Replacing the 7 seniors is a question mark.

Ubah Medical Academy (2020-21 season 0-0)
Did not play in 2020-21 season.

Venture Academy (2020-21 season 0-0)
Did not play in 2020-21 season.

Independents Overview
Hope and Kaleidoscope will be very similar teams with strong perimeter play, fast pace and undersized front lines.  If they make 3s, they're dangerous. But can they get stops and win a half-court game?  Similar questions for Twin Cities Academy.  CHOF just seems to reload every year and their usual AA schedule preps them for tourney time.

Independents MVP: Carrington McNeal - Twin Cities Academy
 
Underclassmen to watch: 

• Henry Bluhm - CHOF

Games to Watch

• Hope at New Life - Dec 7th
• Twin Cities Academy at St. Paul Johnson - Dec 14th
• Twin Cities Academy at Maranatha - Dec 17th
• CHOF at Legacy - Dec 21st
  
• CHOF at New Life - Jan 11th
• Kaleidoscope at Hope - Jan 13th 
• Hiawatha at Twin Cities Academy - Jan 18th
  
• Twin Cities Academy at St. Paul Central - Jan 20th
• Twin Cities Academy at Blake - Feb 16th