Andover Huskies (2018-19 season 5-21, 3-16 Conference, 7th North)
Andover returns their top 2 scorers from a year ago. Guard Calvin Foy and his 11.4 PPG were tops last season. Forward Shandon Schannauer (9.1 PPG) is the returnee of note. Austin Learned and Jared Kleppe give them size options. Very little scoring punch and experience beyond those top 2 returning.
Anoka Tornadoes (2018-19 season 12-14, 7-12 Conference, 4th North)
Coach Jeff Wall has to replace all 3 double figure scorers from a year ago. That includes center Joey Lombard (14 PPG) in the middle. Senior guard Cody Lindenberg (9.9 PPG) will drive the offense. Brody Lake also returns to the guard rotation. Collins Yego returns on the front line. Junior wing David Ayeni (9.3 PPG) will also see an increased scoring role.
Blaine Bengals (2018-19 season 21-8, 13-6 Conference, 2nd North)
Blaine needs to replace all 3 double figure scorers including versatile forward Jason Kaul (16 PPG). It adds up to more than 40 PPG lost. Wing Patrick Perrault leads the returnees with 7.3 PPG. Isaiah Giles returns to hold down the front court. Limited experience returns beyond that. Kossi Kavi is one of those options in the backcourt.
Centennial Cougars (2018-19 season 13-14, 8-11 Conference, 3rd North)
Centennial loses 3 double figure scoring guards. But leading scorer Carter Anderson (16.1 PPG) returns to lead the offense. I expect a big year from the sharpshooting wing. The tiny crew of Jaxon Valdvogel (6.2 PPG), Noah Larson (4.3 PPG) and Richard Hemric (2.5 PPG) will fill those spots. They'll need to replace the size of Cole Fenstermacher inside. Thomas Palmsteen and Romolo Facente are options there. Expect the Cougars to go small, play fast and let it fly.
Champlin Park Rebels (2018-19 season 23-6, 17-2 Conference, 1st North)
Four of the top 5 scorers are gone and that accounts for almost 50 PPG of offense. Despite that, I see another year of reloading and winning the division for the Rebels. Junior Francis Nwaokorie leads the returnees at 7.4 PPG. Cooper Olson, Ethan Rens and Jaice Miller will also man the front court. TJ Moberg, Jared Walter return to the guard rotation. Joshua Strong should step right in at a point guard spot as well.
Coon Rapids Cardinals (2018-19 season 10-18, 4-15 Conference, Tie 5th North)
Forward Marshall Holland and his team high 15.7 PPG needs to be replaced. Reese Mahn and Elijah McGrath also need to be replaced in the starting lineup. The front line should be a strength with juniors David Osayameh (11.2 PPG) and Lucky Moronge (6.7 PPG) coming back. Both are active and athletic. Add in scoring punch from senior Jackson Aurelius (11 PPG) for a nice compliment. Junior PG Jordan Doe (6.9 PPG) also returns to the lineup. Soph M.J. Galimah is another option to fill a backcourt spot.
Elk River Elks (2018-19 season 6-21, 4-15 Conference, Tie 5th North)
Coach Randy Klasen has retired after 516 career wins. Assistant Ryan Servaty takes over the program. The top 3 scorers have to be replaced and combined for 30 PPG. The front court of senior Alex Eng and soph Brandon Melchior will be the strength of the roster. Isaac Hultberg provides depth there. Guard Carter Behne leads the backcourt and is the top returning scorer at 6.2 PPG. Connor Wyse will also see backcourt time.
Maple Grove Crimson (2018-19 season 23-8, 15-4 Conference, 2nd West)
The Crimson need to replace their trio of double-figure scorers at the guard spots. That accounted for almost 39 PPG of offense. RaShaun Parker and Lovell Williams return as wing options with Terrance Larmouth looking to join that group. The front line will be strong with juniors Sean Bergstrom and Caden Boettcher returning. Jatai Dillard and DJ Miller are top options to replace the departed guards.
Osseo Orioles (2018-19 season 16-12, 10-9 Conference, 4th West)
All 3 double-figure scorers are gone with Cornell Richardson now at Hopkins. But Osseo just reloads. Senior Tariq Henry averaged 9.2 PPG last year and should be the next breakout candidate for the Orioles. The rest of the rotation will likely see many members of the loaded sophomore class. Fridley transfer Hassan Kamara adds to the talented crew as a 2 year varsity veteran. Kamara will join G Bernard Omooria, Joseph Ola-Joseph, F Blessed Barhayiga and G Donald Ferguson as sophomores who could join the rotation. Junior Michael McIntyre will be an option up front.
Park Center Pirates (2018-19 season 30-2, 18-1 Conference, 1st West)
The Pirates have to replace 3 important pieces from last year in guard Tommy Chatman and wings Khari Broadway and Emmanuel Tamba. But don't feel sorry for coach James Ware. Despite those losses and the loss of 3 talented freshmen to Totino-Grace, he still has a roster that should contend for a state title. The front line of Dain Dainja (15.2 PPG) and DT Frierson (14.1 PPG) makes the pirate ship sail. Then you have shooter Josh Brown (7.3 PPG) coming back after a breakout AAU season. Add in face up 4 man John Grigsby from Colorado as a perfect compliment to the roster. He already holds multiple D2 offers. Point guard is the biggest question mark.
Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons (2018-19 season 18-10, 13-6 Conference, 3rd West)
Jon Bryant with an impressive 1st year leading the Falcons to a surprising 18 wins. Versatile Jake Breitbach (11.7 PPG), wing Adam Biewen (10.7 PPG) and C Hezekiah Iyawe (9.5 PPG) lead the returnees. Soph F Kayden College and junior shooter Dylan Inniger are primed to contribute. The intangibles of guard Devin Frye will be missed.
Rogers Royals (2018-19 season 11-16, 8-5 Conference, 3rd Mississippi 8 West)
The Royals join fellow district member Elk River in the conference. They have to replace all 3 double figure scorers from last season. Forward Thomas Glad averaged 9.9 PPG. Sam Simpson (5 PPG) and Jake Hemann (7.6 PPG) should man the guard spots. Not much experience returning beyond that. Being placed in the tougher west division doesn't help the cause.
Spring Lake Park Panthers (2018-19 season 15-12, 9-10 Conference, 5th West)
Coach Grant Guzy has a roster looking to make a major impact this season. Six members of the rotation return. That includes shooters Blake Remme (18.7 PPG) and Gabe Myren (15.7 PPG). Jacob Say (9.8 PPG) will run the show again. Daydor Phillips (7.6 PPG) will return at a combo forward spot. They do lose 2 primary post options including Mason Johnson and his 8.3 PPG. Replace that size is the 1 noteworthy hole in the lineup.
Totino-Grace Eagles (2018-19 season 13-16, 7-12 Conference, 6th West)
Coach Nick Carroll featured an inexperienced and defensively stout roster last year. SG Eric Krieger's 15.9 PPG will be missed as their main offensive option. The junior class leads the way with wing Devin Berger (12.6 PPG) and defensive minded guards DJ Akpati and Chasen Livingston. Soph RJ Spencer saw time last year before injury. Seniors Carson and Caden Wolla are undersized inside. A trio of talented freshman have transferred in from Park Center. Taison Chatman and C.J. O'Hara are 2 elite members of the 2023 class along with Tommy Humphries.
Predicted Order of Finish
North Division
- Champlin Park
- Maple Grove
- Coon Rapids
- Centennial
- Blaine
- Anoka
- Andover
- Park Center
- Osseo
- Spring Lake Park
- Robbinsdale Armstrong
- Totino-Grace
- Elk River
- Rogers
Irondale joined their district foe Mounds View in the Suburban East. So its only fitting that Rogers joins district foe Elk River as a replacement. Both are now in the west division with Maple Grove strangely moving to the north division. That means no 2 game series for the Crimson with their district rivals Osseo and Park Center.
The north division is the easier half once again. Champlin Park once again runs away with it. Everybody in the division has heavy losses. Maple Grove has plenty coming back so they are my clear favorite for 2nd. Coon Rapids and Centennial are polar opposites but have enough back to fight for that final top tier spot. Blaine has too much to replace. Anoka continues to improve. Andover will once again struggle.
In the west, its really tough. Park Center is too loaded to move out of the top spot. Osseo is young but hard to count them out with their tradition. Spring Lake Park and Armstrong will give them a big run though. Totino-Grace stands out above the rest and can scare the group in front of them. Rogers and Elk River will battle each other to stay out of the division cellar.
Conference MVP: Dain Dainja - Park Center
Underclassmen to watch:
- Ben Kopetzki, Sammy Msungu - Andover
- Japheth Nyamari - Anoka
- Reese Neudahl - Centennial
- Zach Simon, MJ Galimah, Elijah Smith - Coon Rapids
- Brandon Melchior - Elk River
- Jon Haakenson, Lincoln Palbicki - Maple Grove
- Hassan Kamara, Joshua Ola-Joseph, Bernard Omooria, Blessed Barhayiga - Osseo
- Braeden Carrington, JJ Ware - Park Center
- Kayden College, Peyton Newbern - Robbinsdale Armstrong
- Nick Ojile, Jackson Weier, Stephen Kesti, Owen O'Keefe - Spring Lake Park
- CJ O'Hara, Taison Chatman, Tommy Humphries, RJ Spencer - Totino-Grace
- Osseo at Park Center - Dec 10th
- Champlin Park at Maple Grove - Jan 22nd
- Champlin Park at Park Center - Jan 28th
- Maple Grove at Osseo - Jan 28th
- Park Center at Osseo - Feb 3rd
- Maple Grove at Champlin Park - Feb 24th
- Park Center vs Hopkins - Nov 30th (Big 12 at Champlin Park)
- Eastview at Champlin Park - Nov 30th (Big 12)
- Park Center vs East Ridge- Dec 7th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
- Champlin Park vs Waseca- Dec 7th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
- Hopkins at Champlin Park - Jan 3rd
- Park Center at Minnehaha - Jan 3rd
- Park Center vs Eden Prairie - Jan 18th (Hall of Fame Classic at ARCC)
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