2019-20 South Suburban Conference Preview

This is the 12th preview in my 2019-20 Season Preview Series.  In this preview, we head south for a look at the South Suburban Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Apple Valley Eagles (2018-19 season 6-21, 2-16 Conference, 9th)
Apple Valley has to replace their top 3 scorers from a team that had a hard time scoring anyway.  One of those is wing Isaiah Davis who is now at Minnehaha.  A ton of guys played and will return. Noah Friedt on the front line and Davy Hosea in the backcourt lead the returning pack.  Bilhal Kone, Mason Klett and Nick Deluca are guard options.  Noah Wetzel is an option in the front court.

Burnsville Blaze (2018-19 season 12-17, 7-11 Conference, 7th)
The Blaze return forward Daniel Rosenbur and his 12.8 PPG.  Most of the rest of the scoring departs including Hayden Johnson (13.3 PPG) and 10.4 PPG from Marcus Shepley.  Josiah Jordan and Mohamed Hassan return to the rotation  Soph Yarin Alexander should see an increased role.

Eagan Wildcats (2018-19 season 11-17, 5-13 Conference, 8th)
Former Roseville and St. Paul Academy coach Kevin McKenzie takes over.  He had planned on being an assistant at South St. Paul before this job opened up. He has 5 of last year's top 6 scorers returning.  Kurt Ohlhues topped all scorers for the Wildcats last year at 11.9 PPG and also returns to the lineup.  The rest of the offense consists of a bevy of shooters including Cam House, Jack Carlson and Finn O'Malley. 

Eastview Lightning (2018-19 season 19-13, 10-8 Conference, 4th)
Eastview features one of the better inside out combos in the league in Wisconsin commit Steven Crowl (19.3 PPG) and wing shooter Ryan Thissen (14.3 PPG).  Forward Tate Machacek also was a double figure scorer last year.  Jaylen James will take over at the point full time but can also knock down an open 3.  Junior Zach Spann is an athletic forward who saw time last year.  Caden Scales also returns to the rotation.

Farmington Tigers (2018-19 season 12-15, 9-9 Conference, Tie 5th)
The Tigers have to replace 4 of their top 5 scorers from last year. Leading scorer Jameson Shrum and athletic wing Miles Mendes are the biggest losses.  Junior Isaac Ask leads the returning scorers with 8.3 PPG last year.  Carter Huschka, Gabe Bassett, Jack Cochnauer and Max Baata also return to the rotation.  Junior Eli Green could have a breakout year at a guard spot.

Lakeville North Panthers (2018-19 season 27-5, 17-1 Conference, 1st, Class AAAA Runner-Up)
The state class AAAA runner-up will look to reload again after losing their top 6 scorers.  That includes do everything forward Tyler Wahl and his 18.5 PPG.  Guards Josh Kamara and Carter Patterson lead the returnees.  Noah Frechette and Will Blascziek are just a couple of options to fill the holes left.  They will miss the football toughness of Eli and Will Mostaert on the front line.

Lakeville South Cougars (2018-19 season 14-14, 9-9 Conference, Tie 5th)
Coach Joe Janquart has a quality inside out duo of guard Reid Patterson (16.1 PPG) and Wisconsin football commit Riley Mahlman (12.2 PPG).  Both are juniors.  Guard Joe Bachinski also returns to the starting lineup. Sophmores Avery Mast and Sam Fliehe were both return after being rotation guys last year.  Jack Leland also returns to the front line.

Prior Lake Lakers (2018-19 season 25-4, 16-2 Conference, 2nd)
Assistant coach Jon Miller takes over after 1 year with the program and a bunch under Bruce Kugath at Shakopee.  The Lakers also have their own dynamic duo.  Star forward Dawson Garcia and his 27.5 PPG return to the lineup.  Guard Tyree Ihenacho should see his scoring increase after 9.2 PPG last year.  Kyle McCullough is the only other rotation returnee.  Taylor Flaata should slot into the center spot vacated by Robert Jones and Carson Schoeller.  They'll need to replace the shooting of Sam Nissen along with the the ballhandling and leadership of PG Jackyse Jaycox.

Rosemount Irish (2018-19 season 4-23, 1-17 Conference, 10th)
The top 2 scorers for the Irish, Jacob Siwek (11.8 PPG) and Andrew Reuter (8.9 PPG), have graduated.  Junior center Zach Wenthe leads the returning scorers at 8.2 PPG.  Sean Sullivan, Noah Loehr and Matt Schwinefus are a few options for the rotation.

Shakopee Sabers (2018-19 season 22-6, 14-4 Conference, 3rd)
The Sabers return their own group of talented seniors.  Forward Charlie Katona (16 PPG) leads a trio of returning double digit scorers.  PG Will Cordes and guard Caleb Druvenga are the other 2 and make up a rock solid backcourt.  Aaron Bosley is a solid option to go with them.  Bruce Lockwood gives them length on the front line.  Soph Nick Katona should see a bigger role on the wing replacing Brooks Allen.  Fellow soph Cade McGraw is another backcourt option.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Prior Lake
2. Shakopee
3. Eastview
4. Lakeville South 
5. Lakeville North 
6. Eagan
7. Apple Valley   
8. Farmington 
9. Burnsville
10. Rosemount  

Conference Overview:
Prior Lake gets the nod with Dawson Garcia coming back. Its a major log jam behind them.  Shakopee and Eastview have been building for this year and have lots of experience to go with their talent.  Prior Lake's rival Shakopee gets the nod as they overperformed last year and Eastview may have underachieved.  Lakeville South may be young but they are talented.  Lakeville North loses a ton but never underestimate a John Oxton team.  The 2nd level drops off significantly behind that.  Eagan sticks out as the best of the bottom half with all the offense they have returning.  Farmington and Apple Valley battle it out after that.  Not sure how much help Daniel Rosenbur will have for Burnsville.  Rosemount continues to rebuild.

Conference MVP: Dawson Garcia - Prior Lake

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Yarin Alexander - Burnsville 
• Emmanuel Schmitter - Eagan
• Kenji Scales - Eastview
• Kyle Hrncir - Farmington 
• Avery Mast, Sam Fliehe, Maddox Alipate - Lakeville South
• Malcolm Jones - Prior Lake
• Nick Katona, Cade McGraw - Shakopee

Conference Games to Watch

• Prior Lake at Shakopee - Jan 7th
• Prior Lake at Eastview - Jan 21st 
• Shakopee at Eastview - Jan 28th
• Shakopee at Prior Lake - Feb 7th
• Eastview at Prior Lake - Feb 18th
• Eastview at Shakopee - Feb 28th

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Prior Lake vs East Ridge - Nov 30th (Big 12 at Champlin Park) 
• Eastview at Champlin Park - Nov 30th (Big 12 at Champlin Park) 
• Chaska at Eastview - Dec 5th
• Prior Lake vs Eden Prairie - Dec 7th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Shakopee at Hopkins - Dec 7th (Tipoff Classic)
• Eden Prairie at Eastview - Dec 12th
• Shakopee vs Chaska - Dec 27th (Eden Prairie tourney)
• Eastview at East Ridge- Dec 27th (East Ridge tourney)
• Shakopee at Eden Prairie - Dec 28th (Eden Prairie tourney)
• Prior Lake at Chaska - Jan 30th