Central Minutemen (2018-19 season 22.7, 12-0 Conference, 1st)
Central loses almost the entire rotation from last year but they'll reload with a JV squad that won the conference last year. Caron Crowe and Gavin Gothard will man guard spots. Curtis Favors gives them a solid wing. Jaelen Thomas is a breakout candidate inside.
Como Park Cougars (2018-19 season 6-21, 3-9 Conference, 6th)
Mike Landers was going to take over after being an assistant with Edina. He got an assistant AD job at Maranatha. So now JV coach Donnell Gibson is the head man. All 3 double figure scorers including 18.8 PPG from guard Josh Ward need to be replaced. Tyroun Sain provides an option at the point guard spot. Isaiah Long provides length up front. Soph Jountay Kibble is a young piece to build around.
Harding Knights (2018-19 season 14-11, 8-4 Conference, Tie 2nd)
Assistant Kenny Olafeso takes over for long time coach Dean Keenan. Point guard Jovan Christian graduated in a tie for the school's all-time scoring record. Leading scorer Simeon Sharp (18.8 PPG) returns on the wing. He'll pair with forward Alex Addai (8.7 PPG) to form a nice 1-2 punch for the Knights. No experience coming back beyond those 2 however.
Highland Park Scots (2018-19 season 8-19, 5-7 Conference, 4th)
Jesse McCann takes over the Scots program. The top 3 scorers depart but 5 juniors and freshman Ishmael Powell saw a ton of time last year so expect much of the same. Forward Carter Owens averaged 9.4 PPG to lead the returnees. Joey Kottke averaged 8.8 PPG and Powell put up 5.5 PPG. This group of juniors did play in the Twin Cities freshmen game so that gives the Scots hope.
Humboldt Hawks (2018-19 season 11-16, 4-8 Conference, 5th)
Junior Brian Williams almost doubled his scoring output to 16.8 PPG to lead the Hawks. Two other double figure scores are back for the mostly intact rotation including the guard duo of Desmond Lugo (12.9 PPG) and A'Kei Pippins (11.6 PPG). Tom Hobday and Andre Johnson fill in the interior spots.
Johnson Governors (2018-19 season 15-11, 8-4 Conference, Tie 2nd)
Leading scorer Jordan Mobley (11.7 PPG) graduated and freshman DeWayne Givens (11.6 PPG) is now at Minnehaha. Guard Terrel Turner also graduated. Larry Harris is the top returning scorer at 10.6 PPG. 4 other underclassmen from last year will see big minutes at guard slots. That includes Jordan Gaultney, Treyvon Mollette and Julian Borney. Jeremiah Knox and Daniel Foster will be the interior bangers.
Washington Eagles (2018-19 season 6-19, 2-10 Conference, 7th)
Center Da'Quan Grimes needs to be replaced. PG Zaveon Smith (21.6 PPG) and wing Drew White (17.2 PPG) are the offensive spark. Guard Kshui Harris provides another offensive option. La'Kendrick Reed (6.4 PPG) will take the power forward spot.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Central
- Johnson
- Harding
- Humboldt
- Highland Park
- Washington
- Como Park
I'm picking Central here despite the lack of experience. Still plenty of talent. Johnson and Harding should hold their spots as well. Humboldt with all they have back gets the nod. The bottom 3 are going to struggle. Washington is far more talented than 6th but last year was a disappointment. I'm putting them behind a Highland team that they should beat. Como Park is in a rebuilding year.
Conference MVP: Simeon Sharp - Harding
Underclassmen to watch:
- Adam Belden, Jaylen Cardenas - Central
- Jountay Kibble, Amir Plair, Jermaine Walker - Como Park
- Ishmael Powell - Highland Park
- Jordan Gaultney - Johnson
- Johnson at Central - Jan 10th
- Central at Johnson - Feb 4th
- Twin Cities Game - Feb 29th (at St. Paul champion)
- St. Croix Prep at Central - Dec 17th
- Central at Minnehaha - Feb 6th
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