2023-24 Tri-Metro Conference Preview

This is the 6th preview in my 2023-2024 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 (2022-23 season 7-19, 4-12 Conference, Tie 7th)
Troy Bell returns to his alma mater as the new head coach.  He has to replace an entire front line of starters that all averaged double figures.  That's over 45 PPG lost from the top of the lineup.  Senior guards Jamison Rowe (8.6 PPG) and John Kenney return to the lineup.  Junior Damian Devine (8.7 PPG) should be the new top interior option.  Junior Nathan Ritz and soph Dalton DeBoer are other post options.  Senior Adam Akerson (4.2 PPG) returns on the wing.

Bloomington Kennedy Eagles (2022-23 season 10-17, 5-11 Conference, 6th)
Kennedy has major holes to fill with 8 seniors departing.  They should be strong on the wing with Lamarrius Starr (9.1 PPG) and soph Delannie Bush (7.2 PPG) coming back.  Junior guard Markus Williams also returns to the rotation.  Sonte Lajeunesse-Wood will see frontcourt minutes.  After him there's very limited big man options.

Brooklyn Center Centaurs (2022-23 season 7-19, 4-12 Conference, tie 7th)
Coach Andre Gilbert needs to replace 3 double figure scorers.  That includes one of the state's top scorers in guard Quayvant Douglas and his 31.3 PPG.  Center Steven Nzimi (7.4 PPG) is the top returning scorer.  DeShaun Pongsak (6.6 PPG) also returns to the lineup.  Abriel Foster returns on a wing.  Limited backcourt experience and where will they find their points are the big question marks.

Columbia Heights Hylanders (2022-23 season 13-14, 8-7 Conference, 4th)
Coach Willie Braziel went young last year.  That results in him returning 5 of his top 6 scorers.  That would be all 6 except for star frosh Jaeden Udean (13.4 PPG) who transferred to league rival De La Salle.  PG Jency Davis (17 PPG) will run the show again.  Randy McClendon (18 PPG) is their wing scorer.  Cam Smith (12.1 PPG) and Boona Morke (9.2 PPG) return on the front line.  The Hylanders also add Zy'lerre Stewart (5.9 PPG) who was an important guard for Totino-Grace last season.

De La Salle Islanders (2022-23 season 26-6, 16-0 Conference, 1st, State AAA runner-up)
The 3 top scorers including star PG Nasir Whitlock (26.7 PPG) have departed.  The wing spot will be well stocked with Minnesota-Duluth commit Jaden Morgan (7.4PPG) and Columbia Heights transfer Jaeden Udean (13.4 PPG).  Morgan is coming off an outstanding summer on the grassroots circuit.  Junior De'Von Irvin returns at the point.  Ray James and Justin Johnson are other perimeter rotation guys.  Johnson gives them another option to knock down shots.  Juniors Marcus Anderson, Dorian Pruitt and Andrew Apiagyei will look to jump into the rotation as well.  Size is a question mark.

Fridley Tigers (2022-23 season 7-18, 2-13 Conference, 9th)
Senior PG Antwan Smith (8.9 PPG) returns to lead the roster.  Fellow senior Bryson Buggs (6.2 PPG) joins him in the backcourt.  Jordan Foster is the only other returnee with significant rotation time.  Soph Brevon Robinson should see added minutes this season.

Richfield Spartans (2022-23 season 11-17, 8-8 Conference, 5th)
The Spartans return the high scoring wing duo of junior CJ Armstrong (23 PPG) and senior Zavier Hayes (12.3 PPG).  David Lee (8.3 PPG) also returns to the rotation.  Senior Musa Sanneh and soph Adin Inda provide depth.  Not a ton of size but they will be quick and able to score.

Robbinsdale Cooper Hawks (2022-23 season 18-7, 13-3 Conference, 2nd)
Coach Bo Powell has to replace 3 double figure scorers. That includes breakout forward Michael Cooper (21.6 PPG) and lead guard Sam Massaquoi (17.6 PPG).   Chance Wicks and Jamin Cook lead the returnees as experienced guards.  Both should be double figure scorers this season.  Soph Abel Nason also returns to the rotation along with junior Tarik Jackson.

St. Anthony Huskies (2022-23 season 16-11, 11-5 Conference, 3rd)
The Huskies made a jump of 8 league wins in coach Josh Pratt's inaugural season.  His backcourt of Caydin Hauser (14 PPG) and Nathan Lucas (17.1 PPG) has graduated.  Joe Randle also needs to be replaced on the front line.  Wing Kenji Asai and his 10.2 PPG lead the returning dog team.  Guard Alexander Igherighe (6.9 PPG) is another scoring option from last year's rotation.  Junior guard Braden Siroin will look to step into the Nathan Lucas role to knock down shots.

Predicted Order of Finish

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

Conference MVP: Jaden Morgan - De La Salle

Conference Overview:
De La Salle is the class of the league until beaten so they get the top vote.  Columbia Heights even without Jaeden Udean is a clear second but they can give the Islanders a run.  Richfield is talented enough to play spoiler here with their talented duo of Armstrong and Hayes.  Cooper and St. Anthony will battle for the middle spots.  Then Troy Bell starts retooling at Holy Angels.  The bottom 3 is another step down as I see all of those struggling.

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Delannie Bush, D'Andre Moffit - Bloomington Kennedy 
• Zahir Mohamednur - Columbia Heights
• Jaden Udean, Evan Miller - De La Salle
  
• Brevon Robinson - Fridley
  
• Blake Nixon, Daniel Kelly, Dalton DeBoer - Holy Angels
• Adin Inda, Tyrece Hagler - Richfield
  
• Abel Nason - Robbinsdale Cooper
• Brett Siroin - St. Anthony
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Columbia Heights at De LaSalle - Jan 16th
  
• De La Salle at Columbia Heights - Feb 15th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• De La Salle vs Osseo  - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Columbia Heights vs St. Cloud Tech - Dec 20th (Hutton Winter Classic at Hamline)
  
• De La Salle at Benilde-St. Margaret's - Dec 22nd
• Minnetonka at De La Salle - Jan 6th
• Columbia Heights vs New Ulm - Jan 13th (Hall of Fame Classic at Anoka-Ramsey)
  
• De La Salle at Minneapolis North - Jan 19th 
• Columbia Heights at Breck - Feb 1st
  
• Wayzata at De La Salle - Feb 3rd 
• Cretin-Derham Hall at De La Salle - Feb 17th
  
• Hopkins at De La Salle - Feb 24th
• Park Center at Columbia Heights - Mar 1st