This is the 7th preview in my 2026-2027 season preview series. Week 2 of the previews continues 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 (2025-26 season 15-13, 7-9 Conference, 5th)
AHA needs to replace star wing and leading scorer Blake Nixon (15.7 PPG). Shooter Arjun Jain (12.2 PPG) and Ike DePoint (11.7 PPG) will lead the offense. Peter Koenig and Keegan Spence also return to the guard rotation. Replacing the ball handling of Rhikenzo Lee and the size of Daniel Devine and Jake Winston are questions to answer.
Bloomington Kennedy Eagles (2025-26 season 12-15, 6-10 Conference, Tie 6th)
Kennedy returns 2 starters including junior point guard Judah Mithell (22.8 PPG). But interior star Mus Mwenentanda (22.8 PPG) moving to Omaha leaves a huge hole inside. Junior Jackson Giles will have to step into that interior role. Mitchell loses a pick and roll partner but I wouldn't be shocked to see him average 25-30 PPG with a perpetual green light. Khalil Wertz Copeland and Parker Redmon are 2 more juniors returning to the lineup. Add in a couple of freshman guards, Xander Bain and Jerrell Washington, that saw a ton of time last year.
Brooklyn Center Centaurs (2025-26 season 3-22, 0-15 Conference, 9th)
Aloysius Vah is the top returnee. Te'Shaun Thomas will be the man inside. CJ Jones would have been a top option but he's another member of the long list of transfers to Minneapolis North. The JV was very young last year so experience will be limited. On the bright side, the Centaurs will have home games once again. That's after playing all of last season on the road due to their home gym being unplayable.
Columbia Heights Hylanders (2025-26 season 14-12, 8-7 Conference, 4th)
Leading scorer Jayvion Gardner (16.4 PPG) is also now at Minneapolis North. They also graduate top guards Judah Caine, Kahlil Mkali and Alan Moore in a group of 10 seniors. That leaves guard Nico Luitjens Weatherspoon and Demarcus Whitmore as the top returning players.
DeLaSalle Islanders (2025-26 season 25-4, 15-1 Conference, Tie 1st, AAA State Runner-Up)
Leading scorer and 6th man Kamar Thomas (16.1 PPG) is off to prep school but the Islanders still have plenty of firepower. Lefty Jaeden Udean (15.1 PPG) can go for 30 at anytime with deep range. Forward Ichima Idoko is a top junior in the state. South Dakota State commit Deon Wallace-Johnson is an elite role guy who doesn't need to score. Taaj Whitlock can also be a ballhandler for them. Omar Ali can give them a true big guy and he has range too. The junior class is loaded with depth options too such as Jonas McCreary and Max Winston.
Fridley Tigers (2025-26 season 10-15, 6-10 Conference, Tie 6th)
The Tigers need to replace guards Brein Robinson and Tyler Osell and wing Shamarion Evans. Forward Jenovic Kandinula leads the front line. Avion Johnson, Ta'marjay Hicks and soph Dee Lacy-Martin will lead the backcourt along with leading returning scorer Tyrone Washington (14.7 PPG).
Richfield Spartans (2025-26 season 29-3, 14-2 Conference, Tie 1st)
The transfer of Waleed Muhammed (13.5 PPG) to Hopkins leaves a big hole at the lead guard spot. The Spartans will still be one of the most high octane offenses in the state though. Dre Collins thrives in the running game. Tyrece Hagler can score in a hurry from the wing. Gideon Horne returns as the primary forward. Ben Heidgerken gives them an experienced guard who can be a handler. Juniors Ian Nelson and Oscar Peterson provide guard depth.
Robbinsdale Cooper Hawks (2025-26 season 7-20, 4-12 Conference, 8th)
Guard Desmond Goines was breakout player last year for the Hawks. He's just 1 of 3 primary scoring options that needs to be replaced. Junior Daviion Ellison returns to run the point guard position. Soph Elijah Thomas will be a scoring threat on the wing. Senior wings Henry Larsen and Yanni Brown return to the starting lineup along with guard Joel Sherman.
St. Anthony Huskies (2025-26 season 14-11, 10-6 Conference, 3rd)
The Huskies have to replace their top inside and outside threats of Isaan Kitila and Brett Siroin. That's 37.5 PPG gone from the lineup. Forward Logan Buck (13.6 PPG) is the lone double figure scorer coming back. Ian Page and lefty wing Myles Falkner join him in the starting lineup. Ahmed Ahmod and Cameron Lesinski provide guard depth.
Predicted Order of Finish
- DeLaSalle
- Richfield
- Bloomington Kennedy
- Holy Angels
- St. Anthony
- Fridley
- Columbia Heights
- Robbinsdale Cooper
- Brooklyn Center
Conference Overview:
DeLaSalle and Richfield will once again be the top tier of the league and contenders to make a state run. Kennedy loses their inside threat but their guards still make them best of the rest. The middle tier is a toss up a couple guys returning for each roster. I'll take Holy Angels with Arjun Jain leading the way. The bottom 3 are all rebuilding. Heights is the best of those.
Underclassmen to watch:
- Henry Strand - Academy of Holy Angels
- Xander Bain, Jerrell Washington - Bloomington Kennedy
- Rashad Smith - DeLaSalle
- Elijah Thomas - Robbinsdale Cooper
- Dee Lacy-Martin - Fridley
- DeLaSalle at Richfield - Jan 19th
- Richfield at DeLaSalle - Feb 19th
- Richfield vs Maple Grove - Dec 12th (Tipoff Classic at Edina)
- DeLaSalle vs Maple Grove - Dec 19th (Big Stage at Bloomington Jefferson)
- Richfield vs St. Paul Johnson - Dec 29th (Capital City Classic)
- Orono at Richfield - Jan 14th
- DeLaSalle at Prior Lake - Feb 27th
- DeLaSalle at Buffalo - Mar 3rd