Academy of Holy Angels Stars (2019-20 season 19-10, 8-6 Conference, 3rd)
Forward Matt Banovetz and his 20.2 PPG from his forward spot made him one of the top players in the league. He'll need to be replaced. The rotation is still strong though. Junior guard Emmett Johnson averaged 14.5 PPG. Senior wing Bryce Boyd had a breakout season with 11.6 PPG. Junior wing Cam Holter has transferred in from Minneapolis Southwest. 4 underclassmen from last year saw time last season. That experience will pay off this season.
Brooklyn Center Centaurs (2019-20 season 5-20, 1-13 Conference, 8th)
The young core of 2024 kids that the Centaurs were looking to build around has scattered. Many of them including point guard Demari Larkins and center Chiang Ring are off to Minneapolis South. So between the loss of those 5 players and 3 seniors, there's nothing coming back from the team I saw at the end of the season.
Columbia Heights Hylanders (2019-20 season 13-12, 7-7 Conference, Tie 4th)
League MVP Jordan Jones and his 22.3 PPG need to be replaced at the point guard spot. Guards Elijah Williams, Jamaz Garner and Terrence Brown all return. Forward Spencer Alvarez and wing Muja Burton (17.3 PPG) also return. They also add wing transfers Donnavin Hinsz (7.1 PPG at Moorhead) and Hassan Kamara (6.3 PPG at Osseo). All of those players except Williams are juniors. The Hylanders return home this season after playing last season on the road due to construction.
De La Salle Islanders (2019-20 season 24-5, 14-0 Conference, 1st)
Dartmouth commit Cade Haskins (16.4 PPG) returns as the most dangerous offensive threat in the league. He uses screens well and is big enough to shoot over smaller defenders. Wing Keijuan White (8.7 PPG) and guard Evan Boyd (6.9 PPG) join him in returning to the lineup. They'll seriously miss the physical presence of Jalen Travis (15.5 PPG) in the post.
Fridley Tigers (2019-20 season 14-14, 7-7 Conference, Tie 4th)
Hall of Fame coach Jim MacDonald has retired. The top 2 scorers in guard Isaac Burns (14.7 PPG) and forward Yoal Ruei (16.4 PPG) have graduated. Guards Micah Niewald (12.1 PPG), Christian Crockett and junior Eli Nelsen (7.5 PPG) will lead the returning offense.
Richfield Spartans (2019-20 season 23-6, 11-3 Conference, 2nd)
After a breakout year, the Spartans are poised to repeat that with almost the entire rotation returning. Wing Lamar Grayson (19.3 PPG) is a dynamic slasher. Guards Ryan Myles (15.2 PPG) and Mitchell January (13.9 PPG) are a very experienced and productive backcourt. Isaiah Casey-Hammond and Jaden Wollmuth are a nice combination of strength and length on the front line. They both averaged 9.4 PPG last season.
St. Anthony Huskies (2019-20 season 12-16, 3-11 Conference, 7th)
A huge loss for the Huskies as their all-time leading scorer Tait Nelson (22.2 PPG) has graduated. The senior inside out duo of guard Max Kachman (9.6 PPG) and forward Luke Omodt (9 PPG) will try to pick up the slack. Sophomores Nathan Lucas (5.9 PPG) and Joe Randle will see increased roles.
St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders (2019-20 season 13-13, 5-9 Conference, 6th)
The Crusaders are coming off a disappointing season. Assistant Drew Kock takes over the program. The entire lineup was set to return. But a big loss in the offseason with wing Xavier Garcia transferring to Humboldt. His 14.3 PPG and ability to attack the rim will be missed. A pair of lefty shooting guards will lead the offense. Zach Longueville (18.6 PPG) and Owen Bushaw (16 PPG) can both handle and shoot it. Its a small lineup that relies as much as any on the 3 point shot.
Predicted Order of Finish
- De La Salle
- Richfield
- Columbia Heights
- Holy Angels
- St. Croix Lutheran
- St. Anthony
- Fridley
- Brooklyn Center
Conference Overview:
I can't pick against De La Salle until somebody actually beats them in a conference game. 11 straight league titles with only 3 league losses in that stretch. Richfield could give them a run with everybody coming back. Columbia Heights could also join that group and coach Willie Braziel has good history knocking off the Islanders. Holy Angels and St. Croix Lutheran look to fight it out for the last spot in the top half. Adding Cam Holter puts AHA in that spot. St. Anthony and Fridley lose major scoring pieces so I can't see them any higher. Brooklyn Center has too many questions to jump out of the cellar.
Underclassmen to watch:
- Jency Davis - Columbia Heights
- Casmir Chavis, Nasir Whitlock, Ian Boyd - De La Salle
- Joe Miller, Gavin Pierce - Holy Angels
- Nathan Lucas, Joe Randle - St. Anthony
- Jaden Neish - St. Croix Lutheran
- Richfield at De La Salle - Jan 15th
- De La Salle at Columbia Heights - Jan 29th
- Richfield at Columbia Heights - Feb 5th
- De La Salle at Richfield - Feb 9th
- Columbia Heights at De La Salle - Feb 23rd
- Hopkins at De La Salle - Dec 8th
- St. Paul Central at Columbia Heights - Dec 8th
- Richfield at Minneapolis North - Dec 10th
- Minneapolis North at De La Salle - Dec 12th
- De La Salle at Robbinsdale Cooper - Jan 5th
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