This is the 12th preview in my 2020-2021 season preview series. In this preview, I continue my look at the local big schools with a look at the Suburban East Conference.
For a list of all the season previews and how they were generated, click here.
Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders (2019-20 season 25-4, 16-2 Conference, 2nd)
The high-powered trio of J'Vonne Hadley (19.6 PPG), Curtis Jones (15.7 PPG) and Amari Carter (11.8 PPG) needs to be replaced. Junior PG Tre Holloman (10.8 PPG) should now be the full focus both creating and scoring. Jack Tauer will be another critical guard piece for the Raiders (dang it Chloe!). Beyond them there's almost no experience. Peter Howard provides an option in the middle. Al Fleming is another front line option.
East Ridge Raptors (2019-20 season 23.6, 17-1 Conference, 1st)
Ben Carlson's graduation as the school's all-time scoring leader leaves a major hole of 24.7 PPG and 11.7 RPG in the lineup. Brody Kriesel (10.5 PPG) and his size will also be missed. Winona St recruit Drew Adams (7.3 PPG) takes over the front line. Senior Zac Thomas will also see time up front. Junior guard Kendall Blue (14.3 PPG) anchors the perimeter play. Ben North (5 PPG) is another tough guard in the starting lineup.
Forest Lake Rangers (2019-20 season 11-17, 7-11 Conference, 7th)
Leading scorer Eric Peterson (12.7 PPG) has graduated. Carter Thiesfeld
(11.5 PPG) leads the options at guard. Forward Jordan Boysen (11.8 PPG) returns to man the middle as the leading returning scorer. Nick Bartlett, Austin Traylor and Owen Berg are experienced players in the rotation as well.
Irondale Knights (2019-20 season 17-10, 9-9 Conference, 6th)
The move to the Suburban East paid dividends. Irondale had their highest win total since the 2010-11 season. Now the Knights lose all 5 starters and most of their rotation. That includes double figure scorers Kwame Herzog (15.9 PPG) and athletic forward Iggy Ejiofor (14.2 PPG). Forward Jake Vana (3.4 PPG) leads the returnees. Henry Eliefson is another returning forward. Cooper Jorgensen, Noah Kiani and junior Drake Gomez are options to fill the guard spots.
Mounds View Mustangs (2019-20 season 20-8, 11-7 Conference, 4th)
Mounds View was another surprising team moving up 5 spots and bumping their win total from 8 to 20. Starters Thomas Gebhardt (10.5 PPG) and center John Montgomery (9.6 PPG) need to be replaced. Wing Evan Kim (15.9 PPG) was a breakout player last year and is the top returning scorer. SG Dylan Wheeler (11.4 PPG) and Cole Sorenson (7.2 PPG) also return to the starting lineup. Lucas Sopcinski, Ethan Farm and Joey Bruggers should step into the rotation.
Park Wolfpack (2019-20 season 4-23, 1-17 Conference, 10th)
The Wolfpack is fully on the prowl this season with all 5 starters returning. PG Jayden Lane (14 PPG) is the top returning scorer and has deep range. Juniors Evan Bearth (11.6 PPG) and Jack Blumberg (10.3) can shoot it on the wings. Junior Pharell Payne (6.2 PPG) is a developing big man in the middle. The depth options have graduated so they'll need to figure out the bench options.
Roseville Raiders (2019-20 season 5-22, 3-15 Conference, 9th)
Leading scorer Keyshawn Payne (12.9 PPG) along with centers Spencer Nath (6.1 PPG) and Robert Riley (5.3 PPG) need to be replaced. Forward Elijah Burns (8.2 PPG) is the top returning scorer. Guards Treygan Adams (6 PPG) and Teris Watson (4.2 PPG) also return. Tomas Nelson is another ball handling option. Jesse Howard is another option in the middle.
Stillwater Ponies (2019-20 season 9-18, 4-14 Conference, 8th)
Soph Max Shikenjanski (17.1 PPG) returns to run the show after leading the team in scoring last season. Big brother Sam averaged 5.6 PPG last year. He'll return to the middle. Tyler Tompkins (7.7 PPG) is another top returnee. Ben Smalley (10.5 PPG) and Max Richardson (10.2 PPG) are double figure scoring options that need to be replaced.
White Bear Lake Bears (2019-20 season 13-13, 10-8 Conference, 5th)
Soph PG Jack Janicki (14.5 PPG) and wing Kanye Raheem (13.7 PPG) are a pair of lefties that return after leading the team in scoring last year. Will Forsythe (4.2 PPG) and Max Steiner (4 PPG) also return in the middle. Guard Brice Peters (12 PPG) and wing Moses Hancock (7.5 PPG) are scoring options that need to be replaced.
Woodbury Royals (2019-20 season 19-9, 12-6 Conference, 3rd)
The Royals were another Cinderella story in the league last year jumping from 6 wins to 19. That was highlighted by a thrilling 2 OT win at Cretin-Derham Hall in February. 5 of the top 6 scorers are back including wing Bradley Cimperman and his 15 PPG. Devin Padelford (7.8 PPG), junior Blake Rohrer (7.4 PPG), Donald West (7.1 PPG) and Mac Lockner (6 PPG) are other returning options for a balanced offense.
Predicted Order of Finish
- East Ridge
- Woodbury
- Mounds View
- Cretin-Derham Hall
- Forest Lake
- White Bear Lake
- Stillwater
- Park
- Roseville
- Irondale
I view this season as a compressed year in the league. Last year's best CDH and East Ridge aren't as good and the bottom is better with Park having everybody back and Roseville can only go up. I think East Ridge continues their run at the top with their solid duo of Adams and Blue and good depth. Woodbury and Mounds View are 2 experienced teams that you won't want to see in a big game. Tre Holloman is going to be a monster at CDH putting that team on his back. The battle between those 3 for the 2nd spot will be fun to watch. Forest Lake has enough returning to be the best of the rest and a spoiler. White Bear Lake and Stillwater will battle behind them. Park is a sleeper looking to jump into that group. Roseville and Irondale lose top scorers and have plenty to replace. The league will play a full double round-robin schedule with no non-conference games.
Conference MVP: Tre Holloman - Cretin-Derham Hall
Underclassmen to watch:
- Alex Mattes - East Ridge
- Ataa-Adjetey Mensah, Anthony Knight - Roseville
- Max Shikenjanski - Stillwater
- Jack Janicki - White Bear Lake
- Woodbury at Mounds View - Dec 8th
- Woodbury at Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 15th
- East Ridge at Woodbury - Jan 12th
- East Ridge at Mounds View - Feb 16th
- Woodbury at East Ridge - Feb 19th
- East Ridge at Cretin-Derham Hall - Feb 26th
- None
- None
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