2020-21 St. Paul City Conference Preview

This is the 7th preview in my 2020-2021 season preview series.  Now that the private schools are mostly covered, its on to public schools.  We start with the city leagues and St. Paul goes first.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Central Minutemen (2019-20 season 14-11, 11-1 Conference, Tie 1st)
The Minutemen look to stay on top of the conference with almost their full rotation returning.  Senior wing Kaden Doram had a breakout season on the wing with 12.2 PPG.  Guards Gavin Gothard (10.6 PPG) and junior Gideon Musabyimana (10.2 PPG) are also back in the starting lineup.  Donnie Preston and Jaylen Cardenas also return to the rotation.  PG Caron Crowe (19.2 PPG) is the major loss to replace.  Depth and size are their concerns.

Como Park Cougars (2019-20 season 0-24, 0-12 Conference, 7th)
It was a rough 1st year for coach Donnell Gibson as the Cougars were the only winless team in the state.  The lineup was very young so they'll return almost everybody.  Junior guards Jountay Kibble (11.3 PPG) and Donnell Gibson (9 PPG) will be focus of the offense.  Amir Plair is the top returning front line scorer at 8.4 PPG.

Harding Knights (2019-20 season 7-19, 4-8 Conference, 5th)
Forward Alex Addai (13.9 PPG) returns as the leading scorer and their anchor in the middle.  Wing Simeon Sharp and his 23 PPG is a major loss on the wing.  Sam Gray also returns to the starting front line.  Salman Ahmed is the top returning guard and 3 point shooter.

Highland Park Scots (2019-20 season 11-16, 8-4 Conference, 3rd)
Highland Park is another team in the league that has plenty returning.  The top 6 scorers and 2 other rotation members are coming back.  Wing Carter Owens (20.2 PPG) and forward Nico Peterson (14.8 PPG) were breakout players last year as the top 2 scorers.  Fellow wing Joey Kottke also averaged double figures at 13.8 PPG.  Joe Conzet gives them a physical presence up front.

Humboldt Hawks (2019-20 season 11-16, 2-10 Conference, 6th)
Leading scorer Brian Williams (17.1 PPG) is one of the few returnees from a senior laden roster.  Keith Pabon (6.8 PPG) also returns.  The lineup gets a major boost with transfer Xavier Garcia from St. Croix Lutheran.  That makes the wing position a strength.  The rest of the lineup is a major question.

Johnson Governors (2019-20 season 16-9, 11-1 Conference, Tie 1st)
Assistant Colin Moore takes over for the retired legend Vern Simmons.  Don't expect the havoc style to change.  Forwards Jesse Foster (10.2 PPG) and Jeremiah Knox need to be replaced inside.  The guard core is strong with leading scorer Julian Hodges (13.4 PPG) returning.  Treyvon Mollette, Christian Jones and Ismael David also are back in the perimeter mix.

Washington Eagles (2019-20 season 11-12, 6-6 Conference, 4th)
No team in the league is hit harder by graduation than Washington.  6 of the top 7 scorers are gone including the dynamic duo of PG Zaveon Smith (22.2 PPG) and F Drew White (23.8 PPG).  White finished his career as the school's all-time leading scorer.  They'll also miss the shooting of Andreas Green (8.4 PPG).  Soph Ka'Jon Jordan was set to join to rotation but he's now at Central.  Center La'Kendrick Reed leads the returning group with 10.9 PPG.  The rest of the lineup will be replenished with last year's league winning JV guys.  Damonte Cogshell is one of those major pieces.  

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Central 
2. Johnson
3. Highland Park 
   
4. Humboldt 
5. Harding 
   
6. Washington 
7. Como Park

Conference Overview:
Central has won 33 straight league games against everybody except Johnson.  Their last league home loss to somebody other than Johnson was to Highland Park in Feburary 2013.  Give me the Minutemen with an experienced lineup coming back.  Johnson and Highland Park will be a great battle for 2nd.  Then a drop off to the bottom 4.  Humboldt has a ton to replace but adding Xavier Garcia to go with Brian Williams is the difference here.  Harding and Washington are my next 2 as they also have heavy losses.  Alex Addai gives the Knights the edge there.  Como Park hopes their experience coming back can keep them out of the cellar.

Conference MVP: Julian Hodges - Johnson

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Dillon Foster - Highland Park
• Mason Aarness - Como Park
• Ka'Jon Jordan - Central
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Highland Park at Central - Jan 5th
• Johnson at Central - Jan 28th
  
• Central at Highland Park - Feb 2nd
  
• Central at Johnson - Feb 23rd
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Minneapolis South at Central - Dec 4th
• Central at Columbia Heights - Dec 8th