2024-25 Metro East Conference Preview

This is the 12th preview in my 2024-2025 season preview series.  This preview is for the Metro East Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and an explanation of how the previews are generated, click here.

Hastings Raiders (2023-24 season 14-13, 9-7 Conference, 5th)
Hastings has to replace their top scorers including star wing Owen Bernatz (19.4 PPG).  The guard play will be their strength with seniors Kyan Esterby (10.5 PPG), Weston Schult (7.1 PPG) and junior Matthew Foss (10.3 PPG) returning to the starting lineup. Senior Lukas Foss returns along with soph Marlowe Strain up front.

Hill-Murray Pioneers (2023-24 season 11-16, 4-11 Conference, 8th)
The Pioneers made nice strides in the first year for coach Cam Jones.  Seniors Xavier Daniels (15.4 PPG) and Thomas Myers (13.2 PPG) are top options.  John Pietruszewski and Ben Myers also return to the lineup.  Soph Charlie Westerhaus and frosh Koa Fuller also look to contribute.

Mahtomedi Zephyrs (2023-24 season 16-12, 12-4 Conference, 2nd)
Mahtomedi had a brand new lineup last year and started 0-7.  Then they won 16 of their last 21 on their way to a surprising 2nd place league finish. Now the 3 top scorers have graduated.  Soph Willie Roelofs (9.2 PPG) should have a breakout season as the top option.  Senior Hank Roelofs also returns on the front line.  Ethan Felling, Mark Graff and Jacob Wilson return on the perimeter.

North Polars (2023-24 season 9-17, 6-10 Conference, tie 6th)
North St. Paul has to be replaced 2 double figure scorers including Brevin Conway (18 PPG) and Ryder Salinas (13.2 PPG).  A couple of talented juniors lead this year's squad.  That's Duke King (11.1 PPG) inside and Elijah Adzimahe (7.1 PPG) at the point.  Senior Jay'von Swift will contribute inside and out.  Seniors Alex Rodiguez and Wesley Tyus are depth options.

St. Thomas Academy Cadets (2023-24 season 18-11, 10-6 Conference, 3rd)
The Cadets lose their top 2 double figure scorers including shooting guard Luke Dobbs (19.4 PPG).  But they still return a couple other starters who averaged double figures.  Junior Lars Osteraas (11.2 PPG) and forward Andrew Nolde (10.9 PPG) will lead the way.  Junior guards Dominic Baez and Liam Kirchner return to the rotation.  Senior Chase Young will be another rotation guy.

Simley Spartans (2023-24 season 4-23, 0-16 Conference, 9th)
Willie Braziel moves over from Columbia Heights to replace Isaiah Walfred.  He will have some quality youth to build with.  Leading scorer Tre Lovelace (15.1 PPG) on the wing is only a sophomore.  Freshman point guard Andre Glass started in their section opener last season.  Juniors Conner Streiff and Lyric Groth averaged just short of 10 PPG last season.  Groth will be the main interior option with Streiff being the other wing scoring threat..  Sophs Justin Runge and Nathan Elachi are also guys to watch.

South St. Paul Packers (2023-24 season 13-15, 9-6 Conference, 4th)
All 3 double-figure scorers from last year's roster need to be replaced.  Junior guard Sincere Casarez-McCampbell (7.5 PPG) is the top returning scorer.  Seniors Caleb Marik and Jimmy Thomas provide experience on the perimeter.  Soph Marco London and and junior Donte Branch will see time there along with frosh Keli Mark.  Soph Mustafa Mohamed (4 PPG) was a backup last year inside but is a breakout candidate as the main inside guy this year.  Charles Duncan comes over from Robbinsdale Armstrong and should see time too.

Tartan Titans (2023-24 season 24-5, 15-1 Conference, 1st)
Forward Elijah Barrett (12.6 PPG) is a major loss as the top interior player in the league last year.  But the Titans just reload.  Guard CJ Banks (15.5 PPG) returns as the leading scorer from last season's roster.  Frosh PG KJ Wilson and senior Jakhi Richmond also figure to be perimeter starters. Jerror Borsay will factor in that rotation too.  So despite losing a couple of guard transfers, the perimeter play will be their strength.  Interior play is a major question mark.

Two Rivers Warriors (2023-24 season 10-17, 6-10 Conference, tie 6th)
Alum Isaiah Robinson takes over the program.  He has to replace his 2 top scorers.  The guard rotation is the strength.  Junior wing Lamont Michaels (11.3 PPG) is the leading returning scorer.  Seniors Ramzi Rislove and Mason Boyken come back to the starting lineup at the point and a hard working wing respectively.  Junior Julian Greer (9.1 PPG) will see an expanded role on the front line.    Keeon Parker and Rory Shuler provide rotation depth.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Tartan
   
2. St. Thomas Academy  
   
3. South St. Paul 
   
4. Mahtomedi    
5. Simley
6. Hastings
7. Hill-Murray
8. North  
9. Two Rivers 

Conference Overview
Heavy losses around the league mean a down year in the league.  I think its Tartan and everybody else.  Too much guard play from the Titans.  St. Thomas and South St. Paul go next by default.  South St. Paul is more talented but still lost a ton and underachieved last season.  After Mahtomedi's surprise last year, I'll keep them in the top half.  Lots of mediocre teams after this.  I also expect Simley to be much improved after a rough season so they'll fight for the top of the bottom half.  Hill-Murray looks to be trending up in the bottom half.  They split with North and Two Rivers last year so I'll put them ahead of both this season.  

Conference MVP: CJ Banks - Tartan

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Marlowe Strain, Liam Bernatz - Hastings 
• Charlie Westerhaus, John Omoyeni, Koa Fuller - Hill-Murray
• Willie Roelofs - Mahtomedi
  
• Maxwell Hayes, Jack Wills - St. Thomas Academy
• Tre Lovelace, Justin Runge, Nathan Elachi, Andre Glass - Simley
• Mustafa Mohamed, Marco London, Keli Mark - South St. Paul
• KJ Wilson, Emannuel Oyesanmi - Tartan
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Tartan at St. Thomas Academy - Dec 20th
  
• South St. Paul at Tartan - Jan 28th
• St. Thomas Academy at Tartan - Jan 30th
• Tartan at South St. Paul - Feb 28th

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• St. Paul Harding at Tartan - Dec 3rd