2019-20 Skyline Conference Preview

This is the third preview in my 2019-20 season preview series.  Week 1 of the 6 week series moves on with a look at brand new Skyline Conference in the east metro.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Concordia Academy Beacons (2018-19 season 11-17, 3-8 Conference, 3rd Tri-Metro East)
Concordia has to replace the front line duo of Barnabas Preble (16 PPG) and Luke Raymond (11.5 PPG).  But they return sharpshooter Aaron TerHaar (12.9 PPG) and guard Essay Hagos (11.6 PPG). Gary Legvold will look to replace the front line minutes lost.  Brandon Bonk returns in the backcourt and junior PG Thomas Ghidey adds depth.

Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas (2018-19 season 19-8, 12-0 Conference, 1st TCAC D1)
Cristo Rey's high-powered backcourt is back for another season.  Senior PG James Sommer leads way with 23.8 PPG.  Wings Derek and Erick Burgess combined for over 28 PPG.  Most of the front line is gone though including Victory George and center John Williams.  But the backcourt was tops on the team in rebounds anyway.  Expect them to play small and fast.

Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs (2018-19 season 23-6, 12-0 Conference, 1st MCAA division)
Former Gopher Ariel McDonald takes over from Providence Academy after Rob Ware moved on to an admin job.  He played a very slow style last year but don't expect that with this group.  Its a team that needs to play fast and create turnovers.  5 seniors plus forward Chase Carter, now at Minnehaha, have to be replaced.  PG Maciah Harut (7.2 PPG) and F Hakim Daniels return to the starting lineup.  Daniels was the team leader in scoring and rebounds last season.(11.3 and 7.9).  Forward Tristan Lee should expand his role into being a double-figure scorer as well.

New Life Academy Eagles (2018-19 season 11-16, 6-8 Conference, 4th MCAA division)
New AD Jed Moseman also takes over the head coaching duties.  Its a logical fit since he has spent time as an assistant at Bethel.  He has plenty to work with since the top 5 scorers all return.  Senior forward Michael Reader averaged 16.4 PPG.  Konner Ware added 13.8 PPG.  Soph wing Kollin Kaemingk will see a significant offensive role as well.  They'll miss the leadership of Colin Quirk at the point.

Nova Classical Academy Knights (2018-19 season 13-13, 8-4 Conference, 2nd TCAC D1)
The 40+ point a night duo of Mathieu LaFrambois and Shae Nelson needs to be replaced.  Junior Jack Monroe is the top returning scorer at 4.7 PPG and nobody else listed at higher than 2.7 PPG.   It will be an inexperienced roster of largely sophomores and juniors building for another season.

St. Agnes Aggies (2018-19 season 8-19, 2-9 Conference, 4th Tri-Metro East)
It could be a rough move to the Skyline for the Aggies.  5 of the top 6 scorers have graduated.  Guard Jacob Brezny will be a main offensive threat after averaging 13.5 PPG last season.  Guard Sam Masek will be eligible after a transfer from Trinity last year.  Jevon Jones is another guard who should see a significant role.  Luke Planmann returns to the lineup after being out last year.

St. Croix Prep Lions (2018-19 season 22-7, 12-2 Conference, 2nd MCAA Division)
The Lions are prepped for another big season.  Lefties Daniel McCarrell and Addison Metcalf combined for 31 points a game.  They can both run the show or be knock down shooters.  Barrett Benson and Zach Doely  (12.2 PPG) provide good size on the front line.  Andrew Howard gives them another option at the guard spots.

Trinity Tri-Hawks (2018-19 season 20-9, 9-5 Conference, 3rd MCAA Division)
Trinity needs to replace all 3 double-figure scorers from last sesaon.  That includes 18.6 PPG from guard Ben Maslow.  Juniors Lewis Gerrity, Ben Erickson and Paul Wessel all return to the rotation.  Senior Isaac Showalter returns to man the middle. Despite the losses, many players return who saw time.  I expect the dropoff to be less than one may expect.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. St. Croix Prep
2. Cristo Rey
3. Maranatha  
4. New Life
5. Concordia
6. Trinity 
7. St. Agnes
8. Nova Classical

Conference Overview
The new Skyline Conference is to the east metro what the IMAC is to the west metro.  Can we get a Mounds Park for Maranatha trade to save the geography?  The league is top heavy with 3 teams worthy of a top 10 ranking in a deep year in AA.  New Life has a ton coming back and will battle for the top tier with Concordia.  Trinity has too many losses to reach the top tier but could surprise in the middle.  St. Agnes will battle them for 6th and the Aggies did beat Concordia twice last season..  They too could be better than expected.  Nova is in store for a long year.

Conference MVP: Daniel McCarrell - St. Croix Prep

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Josh Kirchoff - Concordia
• Kollin Kaemingk, Max Briggs - New Life
• Charlie Matthews, Rayan Taha, Spencer Frost - Nova Classical

Conference Games to Watch

• Maranatha at Cristo Rey - Jan 14th
• St. Croix Prep at Maranatha - Jan 16th
• Cristo Rey at St. Croix Prep - Jan 28th
• Cristo Rey at Maranatha - Feb 4th
• Maranatha at St. Croix Prep - Feb 11th
• St. Croix Prep at Cristo Rey - Feb 18th

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Holy Angels at Cristo Rey - Dec 12th
• Minneapolis North at St. Croix Prep - Dec 13th 
• St. Croix Prep at St. Paul Central - Dec 17th
• Spectrum at St. Croix Prep - Jan 3rd
• Maranatha at Minneapolis North - Feb 1st 
• St. Croix Prep at Hudson (WI) - Feb 25th
• Maranatha at Minnehaha - Feb 28th