2019-20 Suburban East Conference Preview

This is the 13th preview in my 2019-2020 season preview series.  In this preview, we reach the mid-point of this 6 week series.  So last but certainly not least, let's take a look at the Suburban East Conference.  Next week, we start looking at the metro area sections.  For a list of all the season previews and how they were generated, click here.

Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders (2018-19 season 22-7, 13-3 Conference, 2nd)
Perimeter play was already going to be a strength with soph PG Trejuan Holloman (10.5 PPG) and wing Curtis Jones (14.3 PPG) returning.  Now the Raiders add in high scoring wing J'Vonne Hadley and his 28 PPG from Mahtomedi.  That will fill the gap left by Jaeden King nicely.  Amari Carter (13.2 PPG) returns to the combo forward spot.  Will Burke also returns and gives them a solid option in the middle.

East Ridge Raptors (2018-19 season 28-4, 16-0 Conference, 1st)
Former Eagan coach Josh Peltier takes over the program with Bryce Tesdahl leaving for Minnetonka.  He needs to replace 4 major rotation pieces including the entire perimeter rotation of 51 PPG.  That includes star Kendall Brown leaving for Sunrise Christian in Kansas.  Wisconsin commit Ben Carlson (16.3 PPG) was the team leader in scoring last year from his forward spot.  Brody Kriesel returns up front as well.  Zac Thomas and Drew Adams are quality options there as well.  Soph Kendall Blue is an option to fill the question marks on the perimeter.

Forest Lake Rangers (2018-19 season 4-20, 4-12 Conference, Tie 7th)
The Rangers battle injuries all of last year.  Guard Dorell Young returns after leading the team with 17.1 PPG.  But the other 2 double figure scoring guards depart leaving 27 PPG behind.  Eric Peterson (7.4 PPG) returns to a forward spot.  Harrison Taylor and Carter Thiesfeld are guard options. Jordan Boysen (4.5 PPG) returns to man the middle.

Irondale Knights (2018-19 season 9-18, 5-14 Conference, 7th NW Suburban West)
Leading scorer Aden Price (17.3 PPG) needs to be replaced in the backcourt.  Leighton Glodek's 11.3 PPG also departs.  Athletic forward Iggy Ejiofor (11.4 PPG) returns to lead the front line.  Jack Crooks also returns to the front line rotation.  Evan Romes and Kwame Herzog are candidates to take the backcourt spots.

Mounds View Mustangs (2018-19 season 8-19, 3-13 Conference, 9th)
Guard Josh Albers (9.9 PPG) is the biggest loss from the lineup.  Soph shooter Dylan Wheeler was the leading scorer last year at 13.1 PPG.  Thomas Gebhardt (9.8 PPG) returns to a forward spot.  John Montgomery (6.8 PPG) returns to the post.  Cole Sorensen, Evan Kim and Jack Hentges also return to the rotation.

Park Wolfpack (2018-19 season 12-16, 7-9 Conference, Tie 4th)
Park had their best year in ages last season.  Now coach Mike Weah has major holes to fill with 5 of his top 6 graduating.  That includes 16 PPG from F Charlie Gorres and 20.6 PPG from G Domenick Block.  Jayden Lane and Jack Blumberg are the top returning options.  Hunter Bammert-Mueller is a forward option.

Roseville Raiders (2018-19 season 10-18, 7-9 Conference, Tie 4th)
Alexander Culver comes over from the Wayzata staff to lead the program.  He has pieces to work with.  Spencer Nath (6.8 PPG) and Robert Riley return to the center spot.  Keyshawn Payne is a top guard option.  Juniors Teris Watson and Treygan Adams are also guard options.

Stillwater Ponies (2018-19 season 12-15, 6-10 Conference, 6th)
Stillwater needs to replace 6 of their top 7.  That includes 3 double figure scorers which included an effective front line duo that combined for almost 30 PPG. Guard Ben Smalley is the only returnee of note with 7 PPG.  Matt Moore should step into the lineup.  Ty Hawkins and Reid Schlosser are inside options. Max Shikenjanski is a guard candidate.

White Bear Lake Bears (2018-19 season 20-7, 12-4 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Keith Lockwood needs to replace his top 5 scorers and most of the rotation.  Forward Jeremy Beckler and guard Sam Schwartz combined for over 37 PPG.  Guard Brice Peters is the top returnee at 5 PPG.  Junior Will Forsythe will take over inside.  Freshman Jack Janicki is a prime candidate to take over the point guard duties.  Kayne Raheem and Moses Hancock are options on the wing.

Woodbury Royals (2018-19 season 6-21, 4-12 Conference, Tie 7th)
The Royals went with a large youth movement last year.  So despite losing leading scorer McK Robertson (15.9 PPG) and Adam Mazur (6.3 PPG), plenty of experience returns.  Brad Cimperman (13 PPG) and junior Mac Lockner (11.1 PPG) make a outside duo.  Soph Blake Rohrer saw plenty of guard time as well last year.  Parker McMorrow returns to a forward spot.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Cretin-Derham Hall  
2. East Ridge   
3. Roseville
4. Woodbury 
5. Forest Lake 
6. White Bear Lake    
7. Park
8. Mounds View  
9. Irondale 
10. Stillwater 

Conference Overview:
Irondale joins the league to make a round number of 10 teams.  Overall its a really down year in the league.  Cretin-Derham Hall is the clear favorite.  East Ridge is the best of the rest with a really good frontcourt but they have guard questions to answer.  Beyond that, it drops off to group of so so teams.  Roseville I see as the best of the rest but Woodbury could make a jump with what they have coming back.  Forest Lake has a couple pieces back as well.  White Bear Lake has a ton to replace but a couple of quality JV pieces should step in.  I see the rest of the league struggling.  Park and Mounds View will battle but they aren't as the same level as the rest.  Irondale and Stillwater don't have the horses.

Conference MVP: Ben Carlson - East Ridge


Underclassmen to watch:  

• Trejuan Holloman - Cretin-Derham Hall
• Kendall Blue, Logan Larson - East Ridge
• Nick Bartlett - Forest Lake
• Dylan Wheeler - Mounds View
• Brayden Fick, Jack Blumberg, Jackson Tessman, Josh Hotano - Park
• Tomas Nelson - Roseville
• Max Shikenjanski - Stillwater 
• Jack Janicki - White Bear Lake
• Blake Rohrer - Woodbury

Conference Games to Watch

• East Ridge at Cretin-Derham Hall - Jan 24th
• Cretin-Derham Hall at East Ridge - Feb 28th

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• East Ridge vs Prior Lake - Nov 30th (Big 12 at Champlin Park) 
• Cretin-Derham Hall vs Eden Prairie - Nov 30th  (Big 12 at Champlin Park)  
• Cretin-Derham Hall at North St. Paul - Dec 3rd
• East Ridge vs Park Center - Dec 7th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins) 
• Cretin-Derham Hall vs Minnehaha- Dec 7th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Eden Prairie at East Ridge - Dec 21st
• Eastview at East Ridge - Dec 27th
• Minnehaha at East Ridge - Dec 28th
• East Ridge vs Rochester Mayo - Jan 18th (Hall of Fame Classic at ARCC) 
• De La Salle at Cretin-Derham Hall - Feb 15th