Edison Tommies (2017-18 season 6-21, 1-11 Conference, Tie 6th)
Coach Ahmil Jihad played a ton of guys last year. He has forward Jackson Rusnacko and junior Jermain Cornell to build around for this season. A down year in the league gives them a chance for wins.
North Polars (2017-18 season 23-6, 12-0 Conference, 1st)
Center Odell Wilson (NSDU) and guard Tayler Johnson combined for 40 PPG and graduated. But don't despair as the Polars are still talented. Star freshman Trejuan Holloman is now at Cretin-Derham Hall. Eli Campbell returns at a guard spot (12.1 PPG). Soph Davon Townley will man the middle. Omar Brown and Ar'mon Dalton provide experience in the rotation. Willie Wilson and Clifford Brown are the next wave of youth. Their conference winning streak stands at 27 games.
Patrick Henry Patriots (2017-18 season 13-13, 7-5 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Guard Rashaud Rollins (13.4 PPG) and forward Anton Barr are the top returnees. The Patriots JV squad won the JV Twin Cities Game last season. That group of now juniors will be their depth. Glentrell Carter, Mark Campbell and Yusuf Abdullah are the key members of that crew.
Roosevelt Teddies (2017-18 season 17-10, 7-5 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Head Coach Rob Mestas took over at Burnsville. Mike Walker takes the reins and has a couple of talented pieces to work with. High flying guard Deszi Sims averaged 26.4 PPG. Forward Luke Barnes will be the 2nd option with 8.2 PPG last year. Feysal Yusuf and frosh Muja Burton also return to the rotation. They'll miss the shooting of Leo Buchwald (14.6 PPG).
South Tigers (2017-18 season 12-15, 8-4 Conference, 2nd)
The Tigers have to replace their top 3 scorers. That includes PG Curtis Jones (17 PPG) who is now at Cretin-Derham Hall and graduated post Cossy Kowouto. Jaylen Blakley and Suldan Omar are backcourt options. Josiah Lossow, Marcus Acha and Phillip Williams also saw time last season.
Southwest Lakers (2017-18 season 6-21, 1-11 Conference, Tie 6th)
Coach Greg Boone has to replace all 5 starters and his top 6 scorers from last year. That includes the forward duo of Niko Polydorou (19.2 PPG) and Treavon Nystrom (13.5 PPG) who were the double figure scorers. Nobody else averaged more than 2.6 PPG. Owen Dean, Casey Peterson, John Clark, Marshall Hawkins and Christo Polydorou look to be the major players in this year's rotation.
Washburn Millers (2017-18 season 10-15, 6-6 Conference, 5th)
The Millers are decimated by transfers with 3 likely starters leaving. That includes guards Charles and Emmett Johnson leaving for Holy Angels. Soph Cade Haskins left mid-season last year for De La Salle. Despite losing Emmett Johnson, they still have a talented sophomore crew that won the league's freshman title last year. That crew may take over this year as there's no meaningful varsity experience coming back.
Predicted Order of Finish
- North
- Roosevelt
- Henry
- South
- Southwest
- Washburn
- Edison
North is still the favorite. Roosevelt with league MVP Deszi Sims gets my nod for 2nd. Henry will give them a run for that spot. Then South gets the middle spot by default as they at least have players coming back. Southwest and Washburn have completely new rotations and Edison is still rebuilding. Southwest gets the nod over Washburn as some of their guys at least saw varsity time
Conference MVP: Deszi Sims - Roosevelt
Underclassmen to watch:
- Willie Wilson, Clifford Brown, Davon Townley - North
- Muja Burton - Roosevelt
- Damarion Bradley - South
- Ben Schliemann, Sir'vell Miller - Washburn
- North at Henry - Dec 14th
- Henry at North - Feb 1st
- Twin Cities Game - Mar 2nd (at Minneapolis champion)
- North at De La Salle - Jan 8th
- Caledonia at North - Jan 12th
- North at Hopkins - Jan 25th
- Henry at Hopkins - Feb 5th
- Minnehaha at North - Feb 19th
- North at Eden Prairie - Feb 26th
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