This is the 12th preview in my 2022-2023 season preview series. In
this preview, I continue my look at the local big schools with a look at
the Suburban East Conference.
For a list of all the season previews and how they were generated, click here.
Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders (2021-22 season 21-11, 12-6 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Jerry Kline has to replace 4 of his top 5 scorers. That includes star PG Tre Holloman (19.7 PPG) and wing Donavhan Cain (18.6 PPG). Guards Adam Tauer and Miles Bollinger return along with forward Sam Koopmeiners to provide experience. Guard Luke Jacobsen transfers in from Andover along with a couple of talented Minneapolis South youngsters. Anthony Knight and Jake Little are other rotation options.
East Ridge Raptors (2021-22 season 23-6, 16-2 Conference, 1st)
The Raptors lose star guard Kendall Blue (19.6 PPG) but return a talented group behind that. U of Mary commit Alex Mattes (15.1 PPG), Peter Koland, Parker Wellman and frosh Cedric Tomes make up the backcourt. Junior forwards Charlie Bern and Charlie Theis are sneaky athletic with the ability to play in or out. Inside you have 2 big body options in juniors Brayden Carlson and St. Paul Johnson transfer Daejohn Thomas.
Forest Lake Rangers (2021-22 season 6-22, 3-15 Conference, 10th)
Shooter Nick Bartlett and his 18.1 PPG need to be replaced. Junior forward Owen Waldoch (19.4 PPG) is poised for another big season. Fellow juniors Nolan Dumonceaux (6.3 PPG) and Reid Olson return to the starting lineup as well. Guards Weston Hoyt and frosh DJ Westman saw rotation time last season. Noah Lukkason and Steve Babcock are forward options.
Irondale Knights (2021-22 season 15-12, 9-9 Conference, 5th)
Irondale was the top turnaround story of last season going from 1 win in the pandemic sesaon to 15 wins last season. Now they need to replace all 5 starters including 3 double figure scorers. Dane Dedominces (8.3 PPG), Cooper O'Brien and Max Herlofsky are the top returners. Tyler Smith, Thomas Westbrook and Jake Dedominces look to jump into guard spots of the rotation. Mekhi Edwards returns from CDH and will be a front line option.
Mounds View Mustangs (2021-22 season 16-12, 8-8 Conference, Tie 6th)
Mounds View needs to replace their guard duo of Kobe Kirk and Dylan Wheeler. They combined for 33.4 PPG last season. Guard Colby Deluce (10.3 PPG) and Jacob Becher lead the returning cast. Junior forwards Eli Roe and Joey Fretheim should see significant roles.
Park Wolfpack (2021-22 season 20-9, 13-5 Conference, 2nd)
A new era begins in Cottage Grove with 8 seniors, all 5 starters and coach Mike Weah needing to be replaced. The biggest loss is center Pharrell Payne and his nightly double-double that is now at Minnesota. Senior wing OT Omot (7.9 PPG) and PG David Ola-Kazeem are 2 notable players coming back. Tayvion Stewart provides another guard option. Henry Schluetter and Erik Lind will see minutes on the front line.
Roseville Raiders (2021-22 season 6-21, 4-14 Conference, 9th)
The Raiders have to replace 3 of their top 4 scorers including wing Keyon Broussard (13.8 PPG). Forward Evan Fischer (10.2 PPG) will be this year's go-to guy. Khalid Abdi also returns on the front line. Owen Letts is a stretch 4 option in that group too. Juniors Ataa Mensah, William DeVries and Nate Hatteberg are guard options along with senior Isaac Ivy.
Stillwater Ponies (2021-22 season 13-14, 7-11 Conference, 8th)
Senior point guard Max Shikenjanski (28.3 PPG) returns after leading the conference in scoring last season. Guard Tanner Thomson (13.6 PPG) returns as another perimeter scoring option. Juniors Joe Hoheisel and Brett Hilde will provide depth there. Junior forward Lake DeJongh transfers in after averaging 8.7 PPG at Somerset, WI last season. He'll team up with Tyler Wiese on the interior.
White Bear Lake Bears (2021-22 season 15-13, 10-8 Conference, 4th)
The Bears return their entire starting lineup. That's led by the inside out duo of Jack Janicki (Wisconsin walk-on) and Wyatt Hawks. Janicki was 2nd in league scoring with 24.2 PPG on the wing. Hawks came out of nowhere to average 12.2 PPG and will play his college ball at St. Cloud State. He's the interior scorer but can step out as well. Jack Misgen (9 PPG) is the 3rd scoring option. Jeremy Kolb, Jack Setterlund and Brandon Ehlers all return to the perimeter rotation. Zach Nelson should see the backup minutes behind Hawks up front.
Woodbury Royals (2021-22 season 11-16, 8-10 Conference, Tie 6th)
Coach Kent Getzlaff needs to replace his leading scorer Blake Rohrer (17.4 PPG). Guard Cayden Narum (10 PPG) and forward Carter Bolin return to the starting lineup.
Predicted Order of Finish
- East Ridge
- White Bear Lake
- Cretin-Derham Hall
- Stillwater
- Mounds View
- Woodbury
- Forest Lake
- Irondale
- Park
- Roseville
East Ridge sticks out as the clear favorite here. White Bear Lake has everybody back and beat the Raptors at WBL last season. I picked them as my under the radar team of the season. CDH will be talented but don't be shocked if it takes them time to put it together as they integrate new pieces. Stillwater has plenty to talk about with Max Shikenjanski so I'll take them in the top half. Their 2 games vs White Bear Lake are appointment viewing. Mounds View will battle them for that spot with solid wing play. Woodbury and Forest Lake are in the next tier. Owen Waldoch could move Forest Lake up. Irondale and Park have to replace just about everything. Roseville has to replace their top player from last season and will try to stay out of the cellar.
Conference MVP: Jack Janicki - White Bear Lake
Underclassmen to watch:
- Jason Johnson, Monteff Dixon- Cretin-Derham Hall
- Cedric Tomes - East Ridge
- DJ Westman - Forest Lake
- Jake Dedominces - Irondale
- Cretin-Derham Hall at East Ridge- Dec 13th
- White Bear Lake at Stillwater - Dec 16th
- East Ridge at White Bear Lake - Jan 3rd
- East Ridge at Cretin-Derham Hall - Jan 27th
- Stillwater at White Bear Lake - Feb 2nd
- White Bear Lake at East Ridge - Feb 10th
- East Ridge at Lakeville North - Dec 6th
- East Ridge vs Osseo - Dec 10th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
- Cretin-Derham Hall vs Maple Grove - Dec 10th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
- Stillwater vs De La Salle - Dec 17th (Big Stage Classic at Osseo)
- Eden Prairie at East Ridge - Dec 22nd
- Eastview at East Ridge - Dec 28th (East Ridge Holiday Tourney)
- East Ridge at Wayzata - Jan 31st
- White Bear Lake at Wayzata - Feb 23rd
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