2021-22 Metro East Conference Preview

This is the 9th preview in my 2021-2022 season preview series.  This preview is for the Metro East Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and an explanation of how the previews are generated, click here.

Hastings Raiders (2020-21 season 8-10, 7-8 Conference, 5th)
Another year of heavy losses for the Raiders as 5 of the 6 scorers have graduated.  That includes 4 double figure scorers led by PG Japhe Gudissa (13.8 PPG).  Guard Michael Mitchell is the top returnee at 13.4 PPG.  Nobody else averaged more than 4 PPG last season.  Senior Axel Arnold and junior guard Kelvin Maher are the remaining experience.

Hill-Murray Pioneers (2020-21 season 2-14, 1-11 Conference, 9th)
Sam Yanz (13 PPG) was the main offensive option last season.  He has transferred to Tartan.  Center Eddie Reece (6.1 PPG) and lefty Rashad McKinley (5.9 PPG) will lead the offense.  Fellow senior Max Nicholson provides another scoring option.  Jack Schoenecker and Joseph Koch also return to the rotation.

Mahtomedi Zephyrs (2020-21 season 13-5, 10-4 Conference, 3rd)
Mahtomedi has juniors Will Underwood and Owen Carlson back to anchor the offense.  Underwood led the league in scoring last season at 23.6 PPG from his PG spot.  Carlson chipped in with 12.9 PPG on the wing.  Kole McKeown also returns after seeing major minutes.  The rest of the lineup is inexperienced.

North Polars (2020-21 season 6-10, 6-7 Conference, 6th)
The Polars have to replace 2 significant scorers in Murl Smith (16.6 PPG) and LaRon Thomas (12.6 PPG).  Forward Kendarius Daily will be a top option for the offense this season.  Plenty of interchangeable options for the rest of the roster.  Nino Johnson and D'Marion Suttles are 2 senior options there.  Juniors Javon Jackson and Ishmael Powell also return.

St. Thomas Academy Cadets (2020-21 season 3-11, 2-9 Conference, 7th)
Minnesota hoops legend Khalid El-Amin takes over the program. He has to replace his leading scorer and top big man Ryan Chamberlain (13.1 PPG).  Senior Nathan Johnson (8.8 PPG) should fill that role nicely.  The rest of the lineup is experienced perimeter players.  Juniors Michael Kirchner (10.6 PPG), Michael Thompson (8.2 PPG), Jack Chamberlain (8.2 PPG) aren't the biggest or most athletic guards but they've played 2 years and can shoot it.  Junior wing Anthony Bickford also returns with 2 years of experience.

Simley Spartans (2020-21 season 8-6, 7-5 Conference, 4th)
Guard Breyton Buysman (18.5 PPG) has graduated after being one of the league's top scorers.  Versatile wing RJ Jioklow (12.6 PPG) will be relied on to carry the offense.  Seniors Devin Robinson and Kevin Wormer return to the starting lineup at the SG and PF spots respectively.  Matt Kuefler also returns to the rotation.  Sophs Connor Binley and Tapio Niemioja should be rotation contributors too.

South St. Paul Packers (2020-21 season 19-2, 15-1 Conference, 1st)
The defending league champs are the front runner again.  As one of the top teams in AAA, they'll look to improve on last year's loss in the section final.  Forward Marquise Gleb (12.2 PPG) is the only notable loss from that roster.  PG Alonzo Dodd is a triple double waiting to happen every night and is the super charged engine to the explosive SSP offense.  Wings Devin Newsome (17 PPG) and Shawn West-Zimpel (15 PPG) can fill it up too.  Who mans the interior is the main question.

Tartan Titans (2020-21 season 13-5, 11-4 Conference, 2nd)
Coach Mark Klingsporn has to replace his inside out duo of Dewayne Thompson and Curtis Favors.  They combined for almost 25 PPG last season.  Forward D'Marco Chelley (9.2 PPG) leads the remaining roster.  Seniors Marko Vuckomanovich and AJ Burns provide solid wing options along with Hill-Murray transfer Sam Yanz.  This season will be the biggest question mark at point guard that the Titans have had in a long time.

Two Rivers Warriors (2020-21 season 3-14, 2-12 Conference, 8th)
Two Rivers is the new name for the former Henry Sibley high school.  Leading scorer Ethan Russell (10.4 PPG) graduated.  Soph wing Jaden Morgan (9.4 PPG) leads the returning cast.  Tre Michaels slots in at a guard spot.  Adam Lail and soph Max Mogelson provide interior options.  Eric Lail also returns to the lineup.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. South St. Paul 
   
2. Tartan
   
3. Mahtomedi  
   
4. Simley  
5. North 
   
6. St. Thomas Academy     
7. Two Rivers
   
8. Hastings  
   
9. Hill-Murray 

Conference Overview
South St. Paul stands alone at the top.  Tartan and Mahtomedi will be a good battle for 2nd.  Both will grind you out but Tartan does it on defense while Mahtomedi will do it with offensive execution.  Simley and North should battle behind them for the next 2 spots with their returnees.  The bottom half is going to struggle.  St. Thomas, Hastings and Henry Sibley Two Rivers could finish in any configuration.  Hill-Murray just doesn't have the firepower so I don't see them moving up.

Conference MVP: Alonzo Dodd - South St. Paul

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Aiden Hammond - North St. Paul 
• Luke Dobbs - St. Thomas Academy
  
• Connor Binley, Tapio Niemioja - Simley 
• Gavin Pendergast - South St. Paul
  
• Jaden Morgan, Max Mogelson - Two Rivers

Conference Games to Watch

• Mahtomedi at South St. Paul - Jan 4th
  
• Tartan at South St. Paul - Jan 18th
  
• South St. Paul at Tartan - Feb 18th
• South St. Paul at Mahtomedi - Mar 4th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Mahtomedi at Mounds View - Dec 3rd
  
• Richfield at Tartan - Dec 7th
  
• South St. Paul vs Mankato East - Dec 11th (Tipoff Classic)
• South St. Paul at Park of Cottage Grove - Dec 21st
  
• Tartan at Hopkins - Dec 21st
  
• South St. Paul vs Richfield - Dec 29th (Capitol City Classic)
• South St. Paul vs Minneapolis South - Dec 30th (Capitol City Classic)
  
• Mound-Westonka at South St. Paul - Jan 15th