Welcome to the 19th annual season preview series! This is the 1st preview in the 2025-2026 season preview series. As usual, I'll start from the small class A schools and move all the way up to the class AAAA schools. The previews will once again span 4 weeks leading right up to the start of practice. Let's get started with a look at the small local independents. For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.
Aim Academy Arctic (New Program)
This south Minneapolis charter school is new to the local hoops scene and will be in Section 4A. They're within shouting distance of Hope Academy just off of the Midtown Greenway. A fun small gym that I've seen a game in and a great blue/green/orange color scheme and logo. Think Legacy Christian's orange with Blake's blue and green.
Community School of Excellence Mighty Ones (New Program)
Speaking of new programs with great logos/mascots. We also have a new program on the St. Paul side of the metro. This new charter school is right next to St. Paul Arlington Washington. The mascot is an outstanding elephant. Fear The Pachyderm!
Hiawatha Colliegiate Wolves (2024-25 season 16-13)
The Wolves have to replace 25.5 PPG from star wing Kam Solomon and 10.9 PPG from Melvin Anderson. They do return uber athletic forward King James on the front line as their star piece. He's double double guy every night and a highlight reel waiting to happen. Staying out of foul trouble will be a key to his success. Junior Myshaun Washington returns in the backcourt. Cole Finn and Kristian Ward also return to the lineup
Higher Ground Academy Panthers (2024-25 season 17-10)
Higher Ground returns the entire roster including 9 seniors. Wing Abdiaziz Abdi (19.2 PPG) and PG Sakariya Ahmed (17.9 PPG) lead the Panthers offense. Ismail Mohamud averaged 11.4 PPG as the main front line threat. Besides Mohamud and Abdi, its a small roster. Offensively they like to play fast and shoot the 3.
Hope Academy Lions (2024-25 season 17-9)
Hope Academy returns 3 of their top 4 scorers as they look to be a section 4A sleeper. But the loss of junior forward Gideon Horne (19.9 PPG, 12 RPG) to Richfield costs Hope their top player. Junior wing Jordan Moss (10.7 PPG) returns to lead the Lions. He could very easily double his scoring output this season. Junior shooter Braylon Peterson and soph PG Tyriek Martin also return to the starting lineup to form a solid perimeter trio. Phil Johnson and forward Eli Samuel also return to the rotation.
International School of Minnesota/Chesterton Academy Huskies (2024-25 season 9-17)
ISM loses their top scorer in wing Ruhaan Singh (11.4 PPG). Forward Greg Hovey leads the returning roster with 9.8 PPG and 8 RPG. Spencer Tupper and Derek Busch are other front line option. Junior Emmitt Wuebben (8.6 PPG) and Ryan Cooley return as point guards. Peter Miller adds backcourt depth.
Parnassus Prep Olympians (2024-25 season 12-10)
Leader and point guard Ray Ogunti is a major loss for the Olympians. Igor Chernyak also needs to be replaced inside. Wings Abdulai Komara and Ayoub Komara are the top returnees Frosh Mohamed Komara could be a breakout player on the wing. They return plenty of undersized guards but they have no size.
Ubah Medical Academy (2024-25 season 15-10)
Ubah played a ton of guys last season. Senior wing Mohamed Mohamoud (13.6 PPG) returns after leading the team in scoring. Junior Abdullahi Mohamed (11 PPG) looks to take over the point guard duties. Forward Leeban Addow needs to be replaced after averaging 13.5 PPG. Abdirahman Noor returns at a combo forward spot after averaging 8 PPG.
Overview
Hiawatha is the top team in this group but their game against Twin Cities Academy at the end of the year has the chance to change that. CHOF is always respectable. Hope's youngsters and their up and down style will make them fun to watch.
- Kenny Armstrong - Hiawatha
- Ali Said, Aqeel Liban - Higher Ground
- Tyriek Martin - Hope Academy
- Blaise Nelson - ISM/Chesterton
- Mohamed Komara, Alexander Kochendorfer - Parnassus
Games to Watch
- Hiawatha at Minneapolis North - Dec 4th
- Hiawatha vs Southwest Christian - Dec 18th (at Hutton Winter Classic)
- Hiawatha vs Minnehaha - Dec 26th (at Hamline, Capitol City Classic)
- Hiawatha vs Caledonia - Jan 24th (at St. Paul Humboldt)
- Hiawatha at Spectrum - Feb 5th
- Holy Family at Hiawatha - Feb 17th
- Minneapolis Camden at Hiawatha - Feb 20th
- St. Paul Johnson at Hiawatha - Feb 26th
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