2023-24 Lake Conference Preview

This is the 14th preview in my 2023-2024 season preview series.  In this preview, I finish my look at my look at each of the metro area conferences with a look at the Lake Conference.  There's 1 more preview left.  That will include section predictions and what to watch.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Buffalo Bison (2022-23 season 23-8, 7-5 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Wing Nate Dahl (24.1 PPG) was a Mr Basketball final 10 guy.  His production and clutch play will be hard to replace.  But the rest of the roster returns and is poised for another state trip.  Senior wings Grady Guidy (13.9 PPG) and Brody Wishart are the top offensive threats.  Those are just 2 of the 7 rotation members coming back.  The junior class is strong too.  Not much size but they will always run sound offense and play hard-nosed defense for coach Josh Ortmann.

Eden Prairie Eagles (2022-23 season 11-14, 2-10 Conference, 6th)
Zander Culver comes over from Roseville to replace David Flom as head coach after last year's off court controversy.  He'll have a strong perimeter group with juniors Max Lorenson (14.4 PPG) and JJ Sullivan (10.6 PPG) and soph Nolen Anderson (10.5 PPG).  There are questions up front but Cam Riggins-Brown and Parker Fahning should see time there.  Fahning's inside out ability should fit the system very well.  Frosh Ty Schlagel could be a rotation factor too.

Edina Hornets (2022-23 season 15-12, 6-6 Conference, 5th)
Coach Jon Bryant has 4 of his top 5 scorers coming back.  Wing Josiah Coleman (13.4 PPG) and versatile forward Daniel Molhoek (10.8 PPG) were the top 2 scorers last season.  Waylon Erlandson and Owen Kemper are returning perimeter starters.  Nick Presthus, Billy DeMars and Charlie Moore should also figure into the wing rotation.  Frosh Vince Cronin could step into a forward slot.

Hopkins Royals (2022-23 season 19-9, 7-5 Conference, tie 3rd)
Soph PG Jayden Moore (20.8 PPG) and junior SG Anthony Smith (20.8 PPG) form one of the top backcourts in the state.  Add in junior wings JJ Semanko (11 PPG) and Daveion Hart from last year's rotation as well.  They'll miss Vince Hillesheim (13.7 PPG) and his interior presence.  Jacob Rothman's pesky defense and toughness will be missed too.  Senior Anthony Walker will provide experience.

Minnetonka Skippers (2022-23 season 23-8, 8-4 Conference, 2nd)
The Skippers return their top 2 scorers.  PG Andy Stefonowicz (16.4 PPG) leads the offense not only in scoring but also with his poise.  He'll play at North Dakota State.  Wing Jordan Cain put up 15.8 PPG last season.  Wings Duke Richardson and Greyson Uelman are both shooters who can reach double figures on any night.  Wing Kayden Wells comes over from Benilde-St. Margaret's.  They'll need to play small and fast but have the firepower to do it once again.

St. Michael-Albertville Knights (2022-23 season 8-19, 1-11 Conference, 7th)
Forward Colton Demarais was a double figure scorer inside and needs to be replaced.  Freshman transfer Jack Thelen should step into his interior spot.  He's arguably the top 2027 big man in the state.  Juniors Jeremiah Johnson (11.3 PPG at PG) and Hudson Hochstedler (13.4 PPG) return to lead the offense on the perimeter.  Landon Riebel will be an inside out option.  Jordan Holm, Andrew Luster and guard Carter Arnlund also return to the rotation.

Wayzata Trojans (2022-23 season 27-4, 11-1 Conference, 1st, AAAA State Champions)
Wayzata has a 3 year streak of making the state title game with 2 titles to show for it.  That will be a tall task this year as they have to replace most of their rotation.  Creighton commit Jackson McAndrew (16.7 PPG) should have a big season and be a Mr. Basketball favorite.  Guard Ben Shaffer (4.7 PPG) and Drew Nepstad (4.1 PPG) are the 2 other rotation guys coming back.  Soph guard Isaac Olmstead should see a major role.  Soph Christian Wiggins is a rotation option too after spending last season at Benilde-St. Margaret's.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Minnetonka   
   
2. Wayzata
   
3. Buffalo 
   
4. Hopkins
5. Edina
   
6. Eden Prairie
7. St. Michael-Albertville

Conference Overview
Despite some significant losses across the league, its another loaded year in the Lake.  The perimeter play with Jackson McAndrew, Jayden Moore, Andy Stefonowicz and others is top notch.  Three teams in the league made state in AAAA last year and I'd be surprised if that wasn't the case again.  Seeing 5 of them in a section final wouldn't be a surprise either.  Minnetonka gets my pick for the top spot with their offensive firepower.  Wayzata won't drop far as they'll plug in new pieces to go with the state's top senior. Buffalo beat Hopkins twice last year so I'll give them the nod for the 3rd spot.  Any of the top 4 could finish in any order so it should be exciting.  Edina and Eden Prairie make up the 2nd tier.  They're top half in any other league but this league is too deep.  Both have good young players to look forward to watching.  Eden Prairie has a new coach and system plus 2 head to head losses last year so I give Edina the nod for that 5th spot.  Both will play a spoiler role in the final league results.  Remember Edina beat Buffalo twice last year and Eden Prairie gave Wayzata its only league loss.  St. Michael-Albertville gets the leftover spot.

Conference MVP: Jackson McAndrew- Wayzata

Underclassmen to watch:  

• Nolen Anderson, Hamze Yusuf, Ty Schlagel- Eden Prairie
• Vince Cronin, Gus Carpenter, Race Deshotel - Edina
• Jayden Moore, Quincy Johnson - Hopkins
• Jack Thelen - St. Michael-Albertville
• Christian Wiggins, Isaac Olmstead - Wayzata
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Buffalo at Wayzata - Jan 12th 
• Buffalo at Minnetonka - Jan 19th
  
• Wayzata at Hopkins - Jan 23rd
  
• Minnetonka at Hopkins - Jan 30th
• Wayzata at Minnetonka - Feb 1st
• Buffalo at Hopkins - Feb 2nd
  
• Wayzata at Buffalo - Feb 6th 
• Minnetonka at Buffalo - Feb 12th
  
• Hopkins at Wayzata - Feb 15th
  
• Hopkins at Minnetonka - Feb 23rd
  
• Minnetonka at Wayzata - Mar 1st
• Hopkins at Buffalo - Mar 1st
  

 Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Orono at Hopkins - Nov 30th
• Totino-Grace at Hopkins - Dec 5th
  
• Wayzata vs Totino-Grace - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• East Ridge at Hopkins - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic)
• Minnetonka vs Lakeville South - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Mankato East vs Buffalo - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Shakopee at Wayzata - Dec 12th
  
• Minnetonka vs Osseo - Dec 16th (Big Stage at Park Center)
• Hopkins vs Lakeville South - Dec 16th (Big Stage at Park Center)
• Chanhassen at Buffalo - Dec 19th
  
• Wayzata vs Eastview - Dec 28th (East Ridge Holiday Tourney)
  
• Wayzata at Lakeville North - Jan 4th
  
• Minnetonka at De La Salle - Jan 6th
• Wayzata at East Ridge - Jan 8th
  
• Hopkins at Benilde-St. Margaret's - Jan 9th
  
• Minnetonka vs Grafton (WI) - Jan 20th (Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret's)
• Wayzata at De La Salle - Feb 3rd
  
• Minnetonka at Cretin-Derham Hall - Feb 7th
• Shakopee at Minnetonka - Feb 10th
  
• Totino-Grace at Minnetonka - Feb 17th 
• Hopkins at De La Salle - Feb 24th
• Hopkins at Minneapolis North - Feb 27th
  
• Minnetonka at Chanhassen - Feb 28th