2022-23 Skyline Conference Preview

This is the fourth preview in my 2022-23 season preview series.  Now we move up to a league that is mostly AA.  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 (2021-22 season 16-13, 9-6 Conference, tie 3rd)
The Beacons return the league's leading scorer AJ Greene (23.6 PPG).  He'll take on an even bigger load with the league's 2nd leading scorer Lorenzo Levy (20.3 PPG) transferring to Minnehaha.  So expect the lefty Greene to have the ball in his hands most of the time like he did 2 years ago.  Who becomes the 2nd scorer?  There are plenty of experienced guard candidates in Luc Swanson (8.8 PPG), Ben Raymond (8.6 PPG) and junior Luke Olson.  Josh Ortiz returns inside.

Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas (2021-22 season 2-25, 1-14 Conference, 8th)
Coach Stan Clay had a very young roster last year that took it lumps due to injury and inexperience.  Leading scorer BJ Hollowell (12.6 PPG) needs to be replaced.  But after that there's a talented junior class.  Corey Dotson (11.7 PPG) and Patrick Akoussan (10.8 PPG) are athletic wing types who will be their biggest players.  Miles Nelson (7.8 PPG) will run the show.  Add in soph Omar Whitaker (6.3 PPG) and senior Dashoune Campbell (5.4 PPG) to the rotation as well.  They won't be big and not much depth, but definitely a group that can take a big step forward.

Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs (2021-22 season 23-7, 14-1 Conference, tie 1st)
Former Eagan assistant Ervin Bryant takes over the program.  He has to replace the shooting and scoring of Jeremiah LaVelle (20.2 PPG).  Plenty of experience returns.  Guard Bailey McDonald (14.2 PPG) will take over the offense as lone returning double figure scorer.  They have interchangeable athletic worker forward types in JaRory Purnell (7 PPG) and Nick Anderson (5.5 PPG).  Guards Matthew (6.4 PPG) and Isaiah Bluford (4.5 PPG) return along with Drew Balentine (6.3 PPG).

New Life Academy Eagles (2021-22 season 28-4, 14-1 Conference, Tie 1st)
The Eagles return all but 1 player from last year's state qualifier.  That 1 player lost is an important one in shooter Kollin Kaemingk (15.9 PPG).  Its a very experienced group of seniors.  Forward Erick Reader (13.5 PPG) and PG Max Briggs (12.1 PPG) will lead the offense.  Austin Woolf (10.7 PPG) and Tyler Huebsch (6 PPG) also return to the starting lineup.  Colton Hendricks, Tyler Wall and Gavin Bertram also return to the rotation.

Nova Classical Academy Knights (2021-22 season 7-21, 0-9 Conference, 9th)
Coach John Carrier's rebuilding effort continues as he has to replace 3 senior starters.  That includes top 2 scorers Liam Borrell (13.6 PPG) and Spencer Frost (9.8 PPG).  Juniors Silas Revenaugh (8.5 PPG at center) and Alex Ehlerbracht (6.8 PPG) are the top returning offensive options.  Mason Engelking, Manny Deroos, Omeed Tabrizi and Henry Peklo will be other rotation pieces.

St. Agnes Aggies (2021-22 season 18-10, 8-7 Conference, 5th)
The Aggies looked to have their entire starting lineup returning.  But De'Vaun Simmons (19.6 PPG) and Elonzo Simmons (14.1 PPG) have transferred to South St. Paul.  They were the top 2 scorers and the point of the Aggies pressure defense.  So expect a different look this season.  An experienced bench clan also needs to be replaced.  Junior SG Andrew Weber (11.2 PPG) is the lone returning double figure scorer.  Wing Paul Plasch (8.9 PPG) and soph forward Nolan Davis (8.4 PPG) are the other returnees to the starting lineup.  Daniel Koontz is returning depth inside.

St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders (2021-22 season 7-21, 5-10 Conference, 6th)
Leading scorer Omarion Miller (13.9 PPG) needs to be replaced.  Junior PG Jaden Neish (12.5 PPG) is the top returning scorer.  The rest of the rotation is a bunch of experienced seniors plus junior Elias Blumer.  Blumer along with seniors Matej Brugos and Si Gawrisch are the options for who becomes the top secondary scorer.  Evan Valleau returns to the starting lineup in a forward spot.

St. Croix Prep Lions (2021-22 season 14-13, 9-6 Conference, tie 3rd)
The Lions have to replace their lone double figure scorer from last year.  That's guard Peyton Gremmels who averaged 14.5 PPG.  Senior PG Bjorn Benson is the top returning scorer at 9.6 PPG.  Most of the rest of the rotation returns as well.  Seniors Christian Nelson (7.9 PPG) and Cade Hanson (7.5 PPG) lead that group.  Guards Ben Myers and Patrick Brown also saw significant minutes as underclassmen last season.

Trinity Tri-Hawks (2021-22 season 13-15, 5-11 Conference, 7th)
Trinity has to replace all of their main firepower from last season with 3 double figure scorers and their top defender all graduating.  Senior James Oberg and junior Justin Groppel are the top returnees.  The rest of the lineup will be inexperienced. 

Predicted Order of Finish

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

Conference Overview
New Life is the favorite as they look to make a class A state title run.  Remember they knocked off Cherry and Isaac Asuma (MN offered) by 25 last year in the class A 3rd place game.  Maranatha and Concordia will battle for 2nd.  Then a drop to the experience of St. Croix Prep for 4th.  Cristo Rey could make a run for that spot.  St. Agnes has heavy losses but I think they have more offense than St. Croix Lutheran for the next spot.  Trinity and Nova will battle for the last spot.  Nova will once again only play everybody one time in league play while everybody else is the standard home and home schedule. 

Conference MVP: AJ Greene - Concordia

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Omar Whitaker - Cristo Rey
• Mason Engelking - Nova
  
• Nolan Davis - St. Agnes
  
• Ben Myers - St. Croix Prep
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Concordia at New Life - Dec 13th 
• Maranatha at New Life - Jan 3rd
• Maranatha at Concordia - Jan 23rd
  
• New Life at Concordia - Jan 27th
• New Life at Maranatha - Feb 3rd
• Concordia at Maranatha - Feb 24th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Maranatha vs Maple River - Dec 10th at Hopkins (Tipoff Classic)
• Concordia vs Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial - Dec 10th at Hopkins (Tipoff Classic)
  
• New Life vs Legacy Christian - Dec 20 at Hamline
• New Life vs West Lutheran - Dec 21 at Hamline
• New Life vs Minnehaha - Jan 21st at Hiawatha
• Holy Family at Maranatha - Feb 21st