2020-21 Independents Preview

This is the first preview in the 2020-2021 season preview series.  This year is the 14th annual edition of this preview series.  The previews will be done starting with small schools and working up to the big schools.  When its all done, a final high-level preview will complete the series.  That means the we'll start with the tiny independent charter schools.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.   A special note on the 1st 2 previews.  While some EMAC teams may not be playing or playing independent schedules, the information on that is sparse.  Therefore, I've grouped the teams based on last year.

Chesterton Academy Knights  (2019-20 season 6-15)
This is the co-op between Chesterton Academy and International School of Minnesota.  International School hosts the games now that Chesterton has moved to downtown Hopkins.  There is some experience up front returning.  Overall I expect a long season.

CHOF Lions (2019-20 season 22-6)
CHOF has to replace forward Isaac Collins (20.5 PPG) and shooter Preston Alleman (13.5 PPG).  Drake Eckman and his 15.2 PPG return to lead the offense.  Clay Bluhm returns at a guard spot. Arren Strandlund returns to the post.  Frosh Henry Bluhm also reteurns to the rotation.

High School for Recording Arts Falcons (2019-20 season 12-11)
Coach Quincy Caldwell returns most of his roster.  That features seniors Jaelen Thomas and Jacquez Fondern.  Thomas is one of the top posts in section 4A and St. Paul.  Fondern is a scorer on the wing.  Baraka Sanzone is the top guard.  Cole Foss provides inside depth.

Hope Academy Lions (2019-20 season 12-16)
Do everything wing Caleb Hoilien and his 27.6 PPG need to be replaced.  The rest of the roster returns from an injury ravaged season.  The return of junior guard Elijah Wade from a torn ACL will be critical.  Junior Caleb Irving is the top returning scorer along with soph Desmond Hardimon.  It will be a very small lineup even with senior Kaleb Dube and soph Zak Ruhland returning.  That will work well with their run and shoot lots of 3s style.

Kaleidoscope Comets (2019-20 season 15-13)
Forward Jacob Donnett's 25 PPG and 14 RPG will be hard to replace.  They still have 2 significant offensive pieces coming back.  Soph PG Michael Jude and junior wing AJ Kargel will lead the offense.  They each averaged over 15 PPG last year.  Soph Matt Aasen and senior Gabe Warner also return to the starting lineup.  Sophs Isaac Freeman and Mason Lesyinski provide rotation depth.

Lakes International Language Academy Dragons (2019-20 season 13-9)
The Dragons have the entire roster coming back.  That includes a nice senior core returning.  Strom Norcross and his 24.2 PPG/12.3 RPG.  Gabe Strand added 16.1 PPG from a guard spot.  Ethan Maring chipped in with 9.9 PPG inside.  Guard Angel Silva also returns.

Lincoln International Eagles (2019-20 season 1-7)
No information available

Metro Schools College Prep Lions (2019-20 season 6-10)
Most of the roster returns.  That includes leading scorer Ayub Abdi.  Its a group of many interchangeable parts.  They can use that to try to press and play fast.

Minnesota Transitions Wolves (2019-20 season 6-10)
The Wolves lose most, if not all, of their rotation.  They played their tourney game with only 5 seniors last season.  That includes wing Lashone Patterson's 18.8 PPG.  With the school being destroyed during the George Floyd protests and a new coach, its a season of questions.

Prairie Seeds Academy Lycans (2019-20 4-6)
Micah Arnold is the top returnee.  The only real question though is a Lycan prone to mange.

Ubah Medical Academy (2019-20 season 1-14)
No information available

Venture Academy (2019-20 season 3-6)
Senior guard Omarion Walker (20.6 PPG) and forward Jordan Stokes (7.2 PPG) need to be replaced.  Junior Ronnie Davis (14.8 PPG) is the top returnee.

Independents Overview
CHOF was on their way to another section final appearance.  They just seem to reload so I'll pick them as the best of this group.  Kaleidoscope and LILA interest me as both are in the 3rd year of their varsity programs.  LILA returns everybody and Kaleidoscope still playing plenty of experienced youth.  HSRA returns almost everybody and can be dangerous on any given night.  Hope will have a bunch of young guys playing too.

Independents MVP: Strom Norcross - Lakes International
 
Underclassmen to watch: 

• Henry Bluhm - CHOF
• Desmond Hardimon, Zak Ruhland, Noah Farmer - Hope Academy
• Michael Jude, Matt Aasen, Isaac Freeman, Mason Lesyinski - Kaleidoscope
• Reide Strand, Murray Monson, Wesley Morris - Lakes International

Games to Watch

• CHOF vs Hiawatha - Dec 22nd
  
• Hiawatha at Lakes International - Jan 14th
• Kaleidoscope at Lakes International - Feb 16th
  
• Lakes International at Hiawatha - Feb 18th