This is the 16th preview in my 2020-21 Season Preview Series. This is the 4th and final week of this season's preview series. This second bonus preview covers the 9 class AAAA teams that weren't included in the specific conference previews. Then for fun, I've included a handful of random AAA and AA teams that I saw last season. For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.
THE REST OF CLASS AAAA
Brainerd Warriors (2019-20 season 9-18, 8-8 Central Lakes Conference, 5th)
Brainerd
loses their top 3 scorers and they all were in double figures. PG
Conner Powers (16.1 PPG) and forward Owen Davis (13.8 PPG) are the
biggest losses. But big wing Griffin Rushin (11.1 PPG) returns and is
poised for a big season. Juniors Cam Engholm (4.4 PPG) and Nate
Staehling (4.1 PPG) also return to the lineup. The front line will be
solid, guard play is my question mark.
Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets (2019-20 season 24-4, 12-2 Mississippi 8 Conference, 2nd)
Coach Mike McDonald has to replace almost all of his rotation
that had played together for years. That includes star guard Henry
Abraham (33.5 PPG) along with shooters Micah Ladd (15.3 PPG) and Ryan
Cox (7.4 PPG) on the perimeter. Forward Connor Braaten (8.9 PPG) is the
only rotation guy coming back. Rigo Mork looks to take over the point
guard spot. Juniors Braden Jones and Reese Bickford are more options to
fill the vacated perimeter slots.
Duluth East Greyhounds (2019-20 season 24-5)
Another
outstate team poised to make a move in class AAAA is Duluth East. The
Greyhounds have the locally committed to UMD duo of wing Mattie Thompson
(18.5 PPG) and Noah Paulson (14.8 PPG) in the middle to build around.
Guard Giovani Saldivar (10.2 PPG) also returns to the starting lineup.
Junior PG Will Van Scoy (12 PPG) is out for the year with a knee
injury. Filling his role is a major concern.
Moorhead Spuds (2019-20 season 21-7)
The
Spuds appear poised for another year to challenge in section 8AAAA.
Assistant Matt Ellington takes over for Tyler Bormann. He moved up to the D3 Concordia-Moorhead head job. Forwards Drew Hagen (16.8 PPG) and
Donnavin Hinsz (7.1 PPG) are significant losses. Hinsz is now at
Columbia Heights. Double-figure scorers Brady Walthall (11.7 PPG) and
Trey Feeney (10.1 PPG) lead the solid core coming back. Shooter Blake
Walthall (9 PPG) and Belind Alemadi (8.1 PPG) at the point also return
on the perimeter. Inside there's not much experience.
Northfield Raiders (2019-20 season 8-19, 7-15 Big 9 Conference, 9th)
Northfield
looks to make a jump in the Big 9 standings as they lose only 2
seniors. The guard duo of Kip Schetnan (16.4 PPG) and Karsten Clay
(15.2 PPG) return to anchor the offense. Luke Labenski (6.5 PPG) gives
them another ball-handling option. Its a group of small guards without a
true big man.
Owatonna Huskies (2019-20 season 17-11, 14-8 Big 9 Conference, 5th)
Owatonna
is another team with a ton coming back that is looking to take another
step. The junior duo of bruising forward Evan Dushek and guard Brayden
Williams is a great start. Dushek is a guy who can go for 20 points and
10 boards on any night. Williams is one of the better shooters in the
league. Payton Beyer is another key returnee. Tough PG Nolan
Burmeister and Ty Creger give them options to handle it.
Rochester Century Panthers (2019-20 season 19-9, 16-6 Big 9 Conference, 4th)
Its
a rebuilding year for the Panthers. They lose their top 6 players from
last season. Top guard Jack Fisher is the most significant loss from
the group that included 4 double-figure scorers. Guard RJ Saar is the
top perimeter returnee. Luke Kottom transfers in from Schaeffer Academy and will be the top front line option. He averaged 15.3 PPG last season. Peter Lynch also provides experience in the middle.
Rochester John Marshall Rockets (2019-20 season 11-16, 9-13 Big 9 Conference, Tie 7th)
Coach
Jim Daly has to replace 6 of his top 7 players. That includes UMD
commit Lincoln Meister in the middle and scorer Jacob Daing on the
wing. Forward Ty Tuckner is the top returning player. Aballa Bagutti
should pick up some of the scoring slack on the wing. Trevale Moe and
soph Logan Tuckner are guard options. I expect a small lineup.
Mayo continues the theme of major changes amongst the Rochester big schools. Former St. Mary's (MN) assistant Kevin Landrum takes over the program. Coach Luke Madsen resigned now that his twin sons Gabe (26.8 PPG) and Mason (18.8 PPG) are now playing at Cincinnati. Big man Riek Riek (6.2 PPG) also needs to be replaced. But the cupboard is more full here. Perimeter players Michael Sharp (11 PPG), Andre Crockett (6.2 PPG) and Mo Hammadelniel (6.3 PPG) all return to the rotation. Junior forward Makuei Riek looks to take over the interior spot.
CLASS AAA AND AA SCHOOLS
Chisago Lakes Wildcats (2019-20 season 7-20, 5-9 Mississippi 8 Conference, Tie 5th)
Chisago Lakes has to replace a pair of double figure scorers. They do have their leading scorer Andrew Koehler (19.8 PPG) returning to anchor the post. Guard Nick Wasko also returns to the starting lineup. Ryan Sanvik (6.5 PPG), Noah Lasiuta (4.4 PPG) and Reed Marquart are further rotation options.
Faribault Falcons (2019-20 season 8-19, 7-15 Big 9 Conference, 9th)
The Falcons return leading scorer John Palmer at a guard spot. Forward Nick Ehlers returns to the starting lineup as well. Alex Sullivan and Devin Lockerby are options can fill forward spots. Junior Hunter Nelson is another guard option.
I was bad luck as I saw the only league loss for the Tigers last year, maybe because I still want one of their old orange short sleeve hoodies. 4 of the top 5 scorers need to be replaced including forward Cody Miller (18.2 PPG) and guard Tate Laabs (12.3 PPG). Laabs is now playing at St. John's (MN). Junior forward Haydn Stay was 2nd on the team at 14.2 PPG last season. Manny Flicek (8.6 PPG) and Callahan O'Neil (6.1 PPG) should step right into increased rotation roles. Ben Arseneau looks to fill the size lost with Miller's graduation.
Rockford Rockets (2019-20 season 21-7, 10-4 Wright County West Conference, 2nd)
Rockford needs to replace 5 of their top 7 scorers. The big front line of Luke Pepin (13.5 PPG), 7 footer Calvin Sisk (11.9 PPG) and bruiser Carter Kulavik (6.7 PPG) all graduates after being a difficult matchup for opponents last season. Junior Sam Zilmer (4.3 PPG) is the top option to replace them. Guard Ryan Boysen (10.9 PPG) is the top scoring returnee and will lead the much more perimeter oriented offense. Junior wing Derek Pepin (4.9 PPG) will be another primary option.
St. Francis Saints (2019-20 season 7-20, 5-9 Mississippi 8 Conference, Tie 5th)
The Saints need to replace leading scorer Wyatt Schroeder (15 PPG) at a forward spot along with 3 other starters. Schroeder is now playing football at Minnesota. Despite that the future is bright for the Saints. Junior Cody Pennebaker averaged 13.6 PPG and should have a huge year. Soph forward Matt Bothun (6.2 PPG) is also poised for a much increased role. Forward Jacob Schultz along with guards Bjorn Hallberg and Kadyn Waller are other rotation options.
Southwest Christian Stars (2019-20 season 14-14, 7-7 Minnesota River Conference, 4th)
School legend Kit Avery departs as the career leader in scoring and coaching wins for the program. How many people have that on their resume? Former Chanhassen assistant Tommy Hutton will lead the Stars through their final year in the Minnesota River. They'll jump to the revamped Wright County Conference next season after their short move away from the MCAA. The Stars need to replace big man Tyren Harris (10.7 PPG) but return the rest of their top 7 scorers. Guard Tyson Sandness (14 PPG) leads the way. Junior Brayden Zimmerman (9.8 PPG) is the goto guy inside. Sandness has help outside with returning guards Nick Morland (7.8 PPG), Isaac Harrison (6.2 PPG) and Lucas Anderson (5 PPG)
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