2022-23 NW Suburban Conference Preview

This is the 11th preview in my 2022-2023 season preview series.  Its the 3rd and final week of the preview series and that means its time for the big schools.  Most of the teams this week will be AAAA schools.  In this preview, a look at the Northwest Suburban Conference. For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Andover Huskies (2021-22 season 21-11, 13-6 Conference, Tie 1st North)
The Huskies look to once again represent section 7AAAA at state.  3 of the top 4 scorers return including the league's leading scorer Sam Musungu (21.6 PPG) and Concordia-St. Paul commit Ben Kopetzki (17 PPG) at guard spots.  Landyn Nelson returns as well as a nice 3rd option.  They do lose a ton of depth though.  6th man Luke Jacobson is now at Cretin-Derham Hall and their tallest 2 guys inside graduated.  Tate Johnson and Von Strenge will look to fill those role spots.

Anoka Tornadoes (2021-22 season 5-21, 2-17 Conference, 7th North)
The Tornadoes lose 3 of their 4 top scorers including guard Jay Nyamari (18.6 PPG).  Junior forward AJ Howze (12.6 PPG) leads the returning cast.  Reagan Reader joins him up front as the big guy inside.  Soph guards Peyton Podany and Trey Borchers will have important roles.  Senior Donald Prah will be the most experienced guard.

Blaine Bengals (2021-22 season 7-20, 4-15 Conference, Tie 5th North)
Blaine needs to replace 4 starters and 7 seniors from last season including AJ Kaul up front.  Leading scorer Ethan Pettis (12.8 PPG) returns at the shooting guard spot.  Guard Ryan Bohlman (7.9 PPG) and forward Zach Schusted (7.5 PPG) will move up into the starting lineup after being backups last season.  Lots of inexperience after that.  Juniors Jordan Lyon and Alvin Payne are youngsters who will contend for those other spots.

Centennial Cougars (2021-22 season 7-20, 4-15 Conference, Tie 5th North)
Look for a youth movement at Centennial with 5 of the top 6 scorers graduating.  Juniors Ty Burgoon (8.5 PPG) and Will Quick (4.1 PPG) are the top returning scorers.  Then there's soph Jack D'Agostino right behind them.  Henry Pirner will provide the senior experience.  Underclassmen from last year's JV such as Timmy Ball will make up most of the remaining minutes.

Champlin Park Rebels (2021-22 season 5-21, 5-14 Conference, 4th North)
The Rebels have to replace most of their rotation.  2 double figure scorers and 8 seniors including Ayo Taki (15.4 PPG) have graudation . Junior guards Luke Graff (10.6 PPG) and Amory Peterson (3.4 PPG) are the top returnees.  They'll get a boost from Park Center transfer Molley Kamara who should step right into the main interior spot.  Micaiah Strong and Joesph Cummings appear to be guard options in the rotation.

Coon Rapids Cardinals (2021-22 season 19-10, 10-9 Conference, 3rd North)
Coach Mike Ogorek has to replace 4 of his 5 double figure scorers from last season.  That adds up to over 52 PPG.  Junior Khi-Hohnn Cummings-Coleman and his 15.7 PPG is the lead guy coming back.  Jackson Hettwer and Griffin Thom are 2 experienced returnees in the rotation.  Soph guard Marcus Bailey should see plenty of rotation time as well.

Elk River Elks (2021-22 season 14-13, 9-10 Conference, 4th West)
Guard Cade Osterman (13.8 PPG) is the lone starter returning.  He'll be the focus of the offense.  Forward Carson Haack also returns after averaging double figures last year at 10.7 PPG.  Jack Lachmiller is the only player returning to the rotation.  The loss of PG Parker Behne (18.8 PPG) and PF Caleb Gillequist (8.3 PPG) leave 2 major holes that will be difficult to replace.

Maple Grove Crimson (2021-22 season 14-13, 13-6 Conference, Tie 1st North)
A pair of double figure scorers and 5 of the top 7 overall scorers need to be replaced.  But the duo that is back is formidable.  Center Lincoln Palbicki  (9.2 PPG) and PG Raoul Vaidya (8.1 PPG) are both poised to jump into double figures this season.  Senior wings Will Bauman and Jacob Anderson also return to the rotation.  Then you add junior sniper Henry Stang to the mix.  Not to mention a talented JV squad from last year to provide plenty of depth.

Osseo Orioles (2021-22 season 22-7, 16-3 Conference, 3rd West)
The Orioles have to replace a deep and experienced senior class that included 4 players who averaged 9 PPG or more.  Junior forward Isaiah Johnson is now at Totino-Grace.  UMD commit Trey Smith (6.8 PPG) returns at a forward spot as the top returning scorer.  The rest of the interior is a question mark.  Minneapolis South will supply rotation replacements with PG De'Mari Larkins and soph wing Temo Omotoyinbo transferring in.  Junior guards Ty Swanson and Timmy Denedo will step right in as solid options.

Park Center Pirates (2021-22 season 31-1, 18-1 Conference, 1st West)
The AAAA state champs have to replace all 5 starters and are still a major threat to repeat.  Chiang Ring (Minneapolis South) and CJ O'Hara (Hopkins) join Cash Chavis as players who transferred in.  Chavis came over late last season from De La Salle.  Junior wing Jackson Fowlkes is a sleeper who would be a major breakout candidate anywhere else except this loaded roster.  JJ Ware, Kaden Cook and Joe Burgess are all rotation guys with Syoka Siko providing depth.

Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons (2021-22 season 13-15, 8-11 Conference, 5th West)
The Falcons have to replace leading scorer Peyton Newbern (15.5 PPG), PG Jamez Garner and C Payton Mogire.  Newbern may be missed just as much for his defense, particularly drawing charges.  Plenty left to work with on the roster.  Seniors Owen Skram (9.2 PPG) and Drew Kuempel return to the lineup.  The junior class is deep with Seth Newburn (9.9 PPG) and guard Gresyn Rennie plus forwards Fitz Freeman and Langden College.  Soph guard Desmond Ware will see a ton of time as well.

Rogers Royals (2021-22 season 10-17, 7-12 Conference, Tie 6th West)
Rogers has to replace all 5 starters including guard Peyton Belka (17.3 PPG) and 3 other double figure scorers.   Junior guard Blake Dalluge (5.3 PPG) is the top returnee.  Fellow junior Jaxson Fuller will join him in the backcourt.  Michael Watson and Wyatt Gilmore will be the main options inside.

Spring Lake Park Panthers (2021-22 season 11-17, 7-12 Conference, Tie 6th West)
Assistant Oliver Major takes over for long time coach Grant Guzy who retired.  Payton Thomsen and Logan Kinsey each averaged over 19 PPG to finish 2nd and 3rd in league scoring.  They've graduated leaving very little experience scoring behind.  Senior center Beau Johnson (4.9 PPG) is the top returning scorer.  Fellow seniors Freddie Anthony and Mikey Say figure to pick up some of that scoring slack on the wings. 

Totino-Grace Eagles (2020-21 season 26-6, 17-2 Conference, 2nd West)
The AAA state champs lose a couple of significant pieces but still are a heavy favorite to repeat.  Ohio St commit Taison Chatman (13.5 PPG) runs the show.  Furman commit Tommy Humphries (10.4 PPG) and forward Patrick Bath (12.8 PPG) also return to the starting lineup.  Bath will take on more inside responsibility with Ahjany Lee now at the U of St. Thomas.  Osseo transfer Isaiah Johnson will be another valuable front court piece.  Junior guard Zy'lerre Stewart (4.5 PPG) is another important piece that allows the Eagles to give Chatman a breather from ball handling or defensive duties.  Soph Tyler Wagner saw minutes last season.  He looks to see more time this season.

Predicted Order of Finish

North Division

1. Andover 
   
2. Maple Grove
   
3. Coon Rapids 
   
4. Champlin Park  
   
5. Blaine
6. Anoka 
7. Centennial

West Division

1. Totino-Grace 
   
2. Park Center
3. Osseo 
4. Robbinsdale Armstrong  
   
5. Elk River
   
6. Spring Lake Park 
7. Rogers

Conference Overview:
The NW Suburban in boys hoops continues to make the the Big Ten football divisions look balanced.  Last year the West division had a 40-9 record versus the North division in the crossover games.  In the weaker north division I see Andover and Maple Grove neck and neck for that title. Then it drops off as everybody else in the division has major things to replace.  Coon Rapids has the most stability left so I'll take them here.  Blaine and Champlin Park battle for the next 2 spots, but Kamara coming in gives Champlin Park the edge.  Anoka and Centennial are rebuilding with youth.  I think Anoka is a year ahead in that process so I'll take them here.

Then in the west you have the usual blood bath.  Flip a coin for the epic battle between TG and PC and be happy with the result. Their 2 head to head meetings are appointment viewing.  Osseo is the clear next in line followed by Armstrong.  Then it drops down to Elk River who has losses but still has a couple pieces.  Spring Lake Park plugs in enough from last year's JV to stay ahead of an inexperienced Rogers team.

Conference MVP: Taison Chatman - Totino-Grace

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Peyton Podany, Trey Borchers - Anoka
• Jack D'Agostino, Jacob Hosfield, Jackson Driessen - Centennial
• Marcus Bailey, Jaxon Young - Coon Rapids
• Keegan Harney - Maple Grove
  
• Temi Omotoyinbo - Osseo
  
• Desmond Ware - Robbinsdale Armstrong
• Tyler Wagner, Chase Watley, Tian Chatman, Dothan Ijadimbola - Totino-Grace
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Totino-Grace at Maple Grove - Jan 6th
  
• Totino-Grace at Park Center - Jan 12th
  
• Park Center at Totino-Grace - Feb 9th
• Park Center at Andover - Feb 21st
  
• Totino-Grace at Andover - Mar 3rd
• Park Center at Maple Grove - Mar 3rd
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Park Center at De La Salle - Dec 8th
  
• Totino-Grace vs Lakeville North - Dec 10th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Park Center vs Lakeville North - Dec 17th (Big Stage Classic at Osseo) 
• Holy Family at Park Center - Dec 21st