2023-24 MCAA Preview

This is the second preview in my 2023-24 season preview series.  We continue the conference previews with a look at the Minnesota Classic Athletic Association (MCAA).  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Eagle Ridge Academy Gryphons (2022-23 season 5-23, 2-12 Conference, 7th)
Coach Kris Babler has to replace 1 starting senior from his lineup.  Senior guard Teddy Relan is the lone returning double figure scorer at 16 PPG.  Junior Oliver Kelash anchors the inside at 8.7 PPG.  There is a young group that the staff is excited about.

Heritage Christian Academy Eagles (2022-23 season 18-7, 10-4 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Tim Herman has to replace 1 starter and 1 other senior from his rotation.  He'll build around 4 his talented juniors.  Forward Abu Tarawallie is really physical inside.  His 14.7 PPG was tops on the roster.  3 other perimeter players also averaged double figures.  PG Josh Sokeye (11.3 PPG) and 2 wings Owen Haag (13.1 PPG) and Jonah Moulton (11.3 PPG) are those 3.  Soph Griffin Booms and junior Lucas Hultgren return to back them up.

Legacy Christian Academy Lions (2022-23 season 23-6, 12-2 Conference, 2nd)
Coach Nate Bellefeuille has 3 major pieces to replace.  That starts with league MVP Aiden Johnson inside and his 18.7 PPG with 13 RPG.  Wing Ben Tschida (14.5 PPG) and their engine at PG, Jestin Wuollet (4.1 PPG), also graduated.  Wings Dominic Zoa (15.7 PPG) and Micah Strand (11.4 PPG) are the returning double figure scorers.  Zoa does it as a slasher while Strand does it as a shooter.  Junior Carson Anderson is a candidate to fill in Johnson's spot up front.  Juniors Andrew Mulvihill, Solomon Kardell and Evan Bovee should see time on the perimeter with soph Hudson Strand.

North Lakes Academy Huskies (2022-23 season 10-18, 1-13 Conference, 8th)
Senior forward Jonathan Ozment (20.1 PPG) and guard Caleb Jensen (24.7 PPG in 9 games) are major pieces to replace.  Soph PG Jayden Dillard (9.2 PPG) will pick up some of that.  Senior guard Aiden Zenkic (8.5 PPG) will be the other main option.  After that no other returnee put up more than 4.5 PPG.

PACT Charter Panthers (2022-23 season 11-17, 4-10 Conference, 6th)
Senior Victor Nyabuto (17.2 PPG) is the leading returnee for the Panthers.  He's also the lone returning starter.  Junior Tim Cherenkevich (11.4 PPG) is another top offensive option.  Evan Karlan will step into a starting guard role.

Spectrum Sting (2022-23 season 18-9, 14-0 Conference, 1st)
The defending league champs can still sting with 2 of their top 3 scorers coming back.  Wing Blake Femrite (20.3 PPG) and forward Ethan Mielke (8.6 PPG) will provide the scoring punch.  Will Lawrence (5.7 PPG) returns to the starting lineup at a guard spot.  Junior Braden Nelson and frosh Cody Benson should be other guard options.  Junior Jordan Williams provides another size option.  Senior Lance Siegel also returns to the rotation on the wing.

United Christian Academy Thunder (2022-23 season 10-15, 5-9 Conference, 5th)
The Thunder jumped from 2 wins to 10 last season and look to continue their rise.  They need to replace forward Mitch Jensen (7.8 PPG) and Abe Hilgenberg (14.5 PPG).  Senior Braylon Kerr led the team in scoring at 18.3 PPG.  Sophs Sam Rich (6.8 PPG) and Josiah Hendley (13.8 PPG) also return to the starting lineup.  Senior PG Ezra Webster (7.1 PPG) provides stability.

West Lutheran Warriors (2022-23 season 16-12, 8-6 Conference, 4th)
The Warriors return 4 starters and most of their rotation.  That includes guard Isaiah Ronning and his 18.5 PPG.  Senior wings Jack Nelson (9.9 PPG) and Micah Davis (7 PPG) also return.  Junior Kolten Miller returns up front.  Aaron Schuler returns to the starting lineup at a guard spot.  He's a candidate to take over ball handling duties now that Thomas Bursch (10.2 PPG) has graduated.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Spectrum 
   
2. Heritage
   
3. Legacy 
   
4. West Lutheran  
   
5. United Christian 
6. PACT 
   
7. Eagle Ridge
   
8. North Lakes

Conference Overview
I see the league breaking into 4 sections.  Spectrum and Heritage to me is the top tier.  West Lutheran and United Christian return a lot and Legacy loses a ton in tier 2.  PACT and Eagle Ridge battle for 6th while North Lakes rebuilds.  Mayer Lutheran enters the league next year.  Will we see a 10th member in time to join them?

Conference MVP: Blake Femrite - Spectrum

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Griffin Booms - Heritage
  
• Hudson Strand - Legacy
• Jayden Dillard - North Lakes
  
• Cody Benson - Spectrum
• Josiah Hendley, Sam Rich - United Christian
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Heritage at Spectrum - Jan 5th
  
• Spectrum at Heritage - Feb 2nd
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Avail at Heritage - Dec 5th
• Spectrum at Annandale - Jan 2nd
• New Life at Heritage - Feb 20th
  
• St. Paul Academy at Heritage - Mar 4th
  

2023-24 EMAC and Independents Preview

This is the first preview in the 2023-2024 season preview series.  As per tradition, I'll start from the small schools all the way to the big schools in this 3 week series.  In this first week, its mostly class A and class AA schools.  To begin, I start with a look at the small local independents and the Eastern Minnesota Athletic Conference.  This is due to the conference schedules being weird for all these teams and to make room for extra Wright County East preview later in the series.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Eastern Minnesota Athletic Conference

Academy for Sciences and Agriculture Eagles (2022-23 season 2-11, 1-6 Conference, 6th)
Junior guard Tim Williams and senior wing Kris Kirkland return to the lineup.  They'll provide most of the offense for the Eagles.

Avail Academy Valor (2022-23 season 20-8, 8-3 Conference, 2nd)
FEAR THE RHINO!  Avail returns their entire lineup.  Senior Zachariah Schaap (19.4 PPG) is one of the top players in the EMAC.  Senior wing Justin Kroeze (12.4 PPG) is another top returnee.  Juniors Isaac Aune (12.2 PPG) and Jacob Ritzema (10.4 PPG) also return to the balanced starting lineup.

Community of Peace Academy Tigers (2022-23 season 7-21, 3-7 Conference, 4th)
Guards Bernard Taylor (10.3 PPG) and Jah'cir Allen (9 PPG) need to be replaced.  But there's still experience on the perimeter.  Junior Julius Terrell (14.8 PPG) and soph Touwin Yang (11.4 PPG) led the team in scoring last season.  Senior Dawayne Lowery leads an undersized front line. 

Groves Academy Griffins (2022-23 season, No Team)
No information available as they did not field a team last season.

Hmong Academy Warriors (2022-23 season 6-12, 2-5 Conference, 4th)
Mike Sauer takes over the program.  Leading scorer Damien Vang returns.  They had limited numbers last year.

Lakes International Language Academy Dragons (2022-23 season 4-20)
After a rebuilding year last year, the Dragons return their entire roster.  4 seniors return to the starting lineup.  Wing Connor Severson is the top scoring threat.  He can also play some on the interior.  Centers Carter Moore and Callum Crowe also provide size and interior play.  Sam Kuhlman and Connor Gillespie return as ballhandlers. Max Sandstrom is another returning wing.

Liberty Classical Academy Lions (2022-23 season 24-4, 10-0 Conference, 1st)
Liberty needs to replace 3 of their 4 scorers.  That includes their dominant front line of Trent Verbeek and Andrew Levin.  They both averaged over 19 PPG last year.  Guard Anton Romportl is also an important loss.  Soph guards Ethan Richter (11.2 PPG) and Sam Rupnow (7.8 PPG) lead the way this season.  Junior guard Jens Christensen also returns to the rotation.  With no seniors coming back, this group can also look forward to 24-25

Math and Science Academy Dragons (2022-23 season 8-19, 2-7 Conference, 5th)
Senior Josh Balami (23.4 PPG) is a favorite for league player of the year.  The entire roster returns with him.  Guards Kirolos Kamel and Israel Girma provide experience and the remaining scoring punch.  Sean Ngue provides size inside.  Tomi Taiwo and Zebulon Shefa also return to the lineup.

Independents

Chesterton Academy Knights  (2022-23 season 3-15)
Chesterton needs to replace top forward Michael Hornecker (24.4 PPG) along with 2 other starters.  Seniors Zach Vandermark and Sam Schroers look to be the top options.  Alex Vandermark and Cal Havilcek also return to the rotation.

Christ's Household of Faith Lions (2022-23 season 13-14)
CHOF returns almost their entire roster.  Starting center Skyler Alleman is the lone loss.  Senior guards Evvo (16.2 PPG) and Henry Bluhm (12 PPG) return to lead the offense.  Soph Sawyer Okerstrom was also a double figure scorer last season.  They look to be a sleeper in section 4A.

Exploration Explorers (2022-23 Season, 7-10)
Junior guard Amari Warren leads the way.  The lefty runs the show and will be the focus of the offense.  The top 2 interior options have graduated so they'll need to find somebody over 6 foot to play inside.  They had 3 7th graders and 2 freshman that saw time last season.

Hiawatha Colliegiate Wolves (2022-23 season 17-10)
The Wolves go into a new era after graduating a star senior class.  PG Jessie Lewis, forwards Romelle Bell and Jaheim Houts along with wing Travonte Sumpter all averaged double figures last season and need to be replaced.  Junior wing Kam'Ron Solomon (14.6 PPG) should become the focus of the offense and have a big season.  Soph guard Ludy Webster and senior Domonick Watkins should be rotation pieces as well.

High School for Recording Arts Falcons (2022-23 season 4-8)
No information available

Higher Ground Academy Panthers (2022-23 season 17-10)
The Panthers stormed onto the scene last year.  They press and get up and down to play as fast as anybody in the metro.  Junior center Abdilahi Abdirashid is a shot blocker who can also step out and hit 3s.  He led the team with 16.7 PPG.  They'll miss PG Yaseen Muhammed (15.8 PPG) who was the anchor on both ends of the floor.  Frosh PG Waleed Muhammed was going to step in but he's transferred to Breck.

Hope Academy Lions (2022-23 season 8-19)
Forward Zak Ruhland and his 20 PPG need to replaced.  His rebounding will also be missed.  They'll also miss coach Kelby Brothen who retired after last season.  Expect them to still play their fast pace.  Lefty wing Brian Moss averaged 19.6 PPG last year.  Expect another season filling the stat sheet.  Most of the rest of the rotation returns so there will be experience.  Freshmen Gideon Horne, Jordan Moss and Eli Samuel are a view to the future.

International School of Minnesota Huskies (2022-23 season, no varsity team)

Kaleidoscope Comets (2022-23 season 18-9)
Kaleidoscope will rebuild after losing a ton of experience.  PG Michael Jude was a 4 or 5 year veteran at the point.  Forward Matt Aasen is also a critical loss on the front line.  No double figure scorers return.  Junior Ian Schwab is the oldest and top scoring returnee.  A pair of sophomores should see major minutes.  Bowen Walton at a guard spot and Dylan Dunigan as the primary interior guy.  Note that there's no listing of them supporting the sport this season so they may not have a team, but I've previewed them here just in case.

Lincoln International Eagles (2022-23 season 8-7)
Not a ton to work with here.  They'll struggle to score.

Metro Deaf School Cheetahs (2022-23 season)
No information available.

Metro Schools College Prep Lions (2022-23 season 18-4)
Another team that tries to get up and down at a frenetic pace.  Also the type of team where a 20 point margin either way is still a ball game.  They'll play a bunch of players and have balance.

Minnesota Transitions Wolves (2022-23 season 0-6)
No information available

Parnassus Prep Olympians (2022-23 season ?)
This school in Maple Grove played a mixed JV/Varsity schedule last season and appear to be full time varsity this season.  Don't know what they have returning.  Last year's roster was an eclectic mix of talent.  They had a 10 point halftime lead in a game vs Higher Ground last year so there's something there.

Prairie Seeds Academy Lycans (2022-23 season 0-12)
What is a Lycan anyway and is it subject to mange?  Prairie Seeds had 1 close loss to AFSA last season and all other losses by at least 15 points in a winless season.  A rebuilding season looms.

St. Paul City School Wolves (2022-23 season)
No information available

Twin Cities Academy/Great River Tigers (2022-23 season 7-18)
Starting forward Andrew Emelife is a significant loss from last year's roster.  Frosh Mustafa Mohamed saw also minutes inside last season.  He's now at South St. Paul.  3 double figure scorers return.  That includes wings Jamal Randle (16.4 PPG) and soph Jacob Stiele (15.5 PPG).  Senior Giovanni Alonso averaged 12.1 PPG up front.  

Ubah Medical Academy (2022-23 season 11-6)
Not sure what they have returning.  Last season they featured a pair of wings would could score it.  Another team where the record is deceptive due to the weak schedule.

Venture Academy Tigers (2022-23 season 12-3)
There are pieces to work with for the Tigers.  There's a bit of size and some athletes.  Skill level and basketball experience are the questions.

Overview
In the EMAC list, not sure what the schedule will be there.  Seems like the league is fading fast.  But 3 teams there return the entire roster so expect an improved season there.  Looking forward to seeing how far Josh Balami can carry Math and Science.  Higher Ground is entertaining and dangerous on the east side of the metro in section 4AA as well.  Amari Warren is a high scoring guard at Exploration that few know about.

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Sawyer Okerstrom - CHOF
  
• Tou Win Vang - Community of Peace
  
• Ludy Webster - Hiawatha
  
• Gideon Horne, Jordan Moss - Hope
• Ethan Richter, Sam Rupnow - Liberty
  

Games to Watch

• CHOF at Spectrum - Nov 30th
  
• Avail at Heritage - Dec 5th
• Avail at New Life - Dec 7th
  
• Math and Science at Avail - Dec 14th
• CHOF at New Life - Dec 14th
  
• CHOF at Heritage - Jan 16th