2022-23 Tri-Metro Conference Preview

This is the 6th preview in my 2022-2023 season preview series.  Week 2 of this season's preview series begins with a look at the Tri-Metro Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Academy of Holy Angels Stars (2021-22 season 10-17, 5-7 Conference, Tie 4th)
The Stars have to replace their top 2 scorers in forward Rob Issa (18.8 PPG) and guard Emmett Johnson (11.9 PPG, Nebraska football).  AJ Boarman (9.4 PPG) is the top returning scorer and inside presence.  Jaylen Peterson (7.3 PPG) returns on the wing.  Mason Scroggins returns at a guard spot.  George Dittman, Adam Akerson and Damian Devine also return to the rotation.

Bloomington Kennedy Eagles (2021-22 season 6-19, 3-15 Metro West Conference, tie 9th)
The Eagles join the Tri-Metro with big holes to fill.  They lose most of their firepower from last season.  That includes forwards Chris Martin and Dalton Smazal.  The senior trio of PG Tajon Pearson plus forwards Ramone Walker and Marques Monroe should lead the way.  Forward Rayzjon Walker and soph Larmarrius Starr should also see rotation time.  Former Mayer Lutheran and Apple Valley head coach Pat Buchanan takes over the program.  He gets a late start after being hired in early October.

Brooklyn Center Centaurs (2021-22 season 3-19, 0-12 Conference, 7th)
Senior wing Quayvant Douglas (25 PPG) should have another huge season.  But the help around him remains the question.  Forward CJ Taylor and Antoine Jones are also scoring options for the Centaurs.  DeShawn Pongsak and Steven Nzimi will see interior minutes.  Tayvionte Powell will run the show.

Columbia Heights Hylanders (2021-22 season 23-1, 11-0 Conference, 1st)
The Hylanders had the unfortunate draw of having state champ Totino-Grace in their section.  That was their only loss of the season.  Now they have to replace most of the rotation.   Wing Muja Burton and PG Terrence Brown need to be replaced after averaging over 22 PPG each.  Donnavin Hinsz (11.2 PPG) also needs to be replaced inside.  Junior PG Jency Davis (9.8 PPG) will run the show as the top returnee. Martez Wise and Leavale Hicks are other top options.  Boona Morke will be in the interior option.  Wing Randy McClendon joins the lineup after playing at De La Salle last season.

De La Salle Islanders (2021-22 season 22-8, 10-1 Conference, 2nd, Class AAA runner up)
Long time assistant Todd Anderson takes over the program after Travis Beldsoe took the head coaching job at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.  He'll have Lehigh commit Nasir Whitlock (22.9 PPG) to run the show.  Wing Israel Moses (7.2 PPG), forward PJ Pounds, Riley Blaylark, Ray James and Myles Dillon-Parks also return to the rotation.  They'll miss the shooting of Kyle Johnson (12.5 PPG).  Junior Justin Johnson could step right into that role.  Junior wing Jaden Morgan transfers in after he averaged 14.4 PPG at Two Rivers last season.

Fridley Tigers (2021-22 season 10-16, 5-7 Conference, Tie 4th)
Fridley has to replace their inside out duo of guard Eli Nelsen (12.3 PPG) and forward Devin Williams (11.9 PPG).  Guards Antwan Smith (10.6 PPG) and MJ Newton will lead the offense.  Bronell Marcus, CJ Powell and Gideon Cooper also return to the rotation.

Richfield Spartans (2021-22 season 13-13, 7-5 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Omar McMillan has to replace 4 starters who combined for 60 PPG last season.  That includes the inside out duo of PG Jaden Wollmuth and PG Mitchell January who both averaged over 18 PPG.  Soph guard CJ Armstrong (7.9 PPG) is the top returning option.  Seniors Tyler Jake, Jaylen Hollins and Kaleb Olson return to the rotation.  They also get Mankato East transfers Jalen and Zavier Hayes.  Jalen Hayes was a significant part of the Mankato East trip to state last year so expect him to be a major factor for the Spartans.  Wing Avery Wells also joins the roster after being the top scorer at Minneapolis Roosevelt last season.

Robbinsdale Cooper Hawks (2021-22 season 15-10, 11-7 Metro West Conference, 5th)
Cooper is the other former Metro West member to join the Tri-Metro this season.  Coach Bo Powell has to replace his top 2 options in all everything guard Davion Evans (24.2 PPG) and forward Prince Appiah (9.7 PPG).  Guard Sam Massaquoi (8.4 PPG) and forward Michael Cooper (7.2 PPG) look to step into those roles.  Jamin Cook and Chance Wicks will be guard options.  DeShawn Ricks and Andre Woods are interior options.

St. Anthony Huskies (2021-22 season 8-19, 3-9 Conference, 6th)
Former Huskies star Josh Pratt takes over the program.  He has a pair solid guards to build around in seniors Nathan Lucas (12.2 PPG) and Caydin Hauser (11.7 PPG).  Kenji Asai (8.5 PPG) returns on a wing.  Joe Randle (6.1 PPG) returns as the top interior option.  Caden Rodkewich, Alex Igherighe and soph G Braden Siroin all return to the rotation as well.  It will be a guard laden lineup which should fit coach Pratt's style of play well.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. De La Salle 
   
2. Richfield 
3. Robbinsdale Cooper 
   
4. Columbia Heights  
   
5. St. Anthony   
   
6. Holy Angels
7. Fridley 
8. Bloomington Kennedy
   
9. Brooklyn Center    

Conference MVP: Nasir Whitlock - De La Salle

Conference Overview:
Bloomington Kennedy and Robbinsdale Cooper move into the conference from the Metro West.  I'm looking forward to the Cooper vs Columbia Heights games.  De La Salle may have a new coach but otherwise don't expect much to change.  They are my favorite here with Nasir Whitlock poised for a monster season.  Heavy losses behind them.  Richfield, Heights and Cooper will all have athletes and cause havoc for the rest of the league.  Richfield has the most experience and a good duo of Armstrong and Hayes.  Cooper and Heights battle for the next spot.  Cooper gets the nod with their experience but Heights will be right there.  St. Anthony jumps up with most everybody coming back and the rest of the league having heavy losses.  Holy Angels best of the rest.  Then it drops off to the bottom 3.

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Damian Devine - Holy Angels
• Lamarrius Starr - Kennedy 
• Quaylin Hardrict, Julian Manjo - Columbia Heights
• Darius Irvin, De'von Irvin, Dorian Pruitt, Marcus Anderson - De La Salle
  
• CJ Armstrong - Richfield
• Braden Siroin - St. Anthony
  

Conference Games to Watch

• De La Salle at Richfield - Jan 26th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Park Center at De La Salle - Dec 8th 
• De La Salle vs Minnetonka - Dec 10th at Hopkins (Tipoff Classic)
• De La Salle vs Stillwater - Dec 17th at Osseo (Breakdown Big Stage)
• Benilde-St. Margaret's at De La Salle - Dec 20th
• De La Salle at Wayzata - Feb 28th