2021-22 Lake Conference Preview

This is the 14th preview in my 2021-2022 season preview series.  In this preview, I finish my look at my normal list of conferences with a look at the Lake Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Buffalo Bison (2020-21 season 7-9, 4-8 Conference, Tie 4th)
Buffalo returns 4 of their top 5 scorers to the starting lineup this season.  Antonio Bluett (18.1 PPG) and defensive pest Carter Jackson (7.3 PPG) take care of the perimeter spots.  Forward Zach Zrust (13.7 PPG) can play inside and out.  Will Pool (8.5 PPG) returns on the wing.  Carson Giddings provides guard depth.  No real size behind Zrust in the lineup.

Eden Prairie Eagles (2020-21 season 12-7, 6-6 Conference, 3rd)
Coach David Flom returns 2 double figure scorers from last season.  That includes matchup nightmare Chiddi Obiazor (16.1 PPG) at a forward spot.  The junior forward had a breakout season last year.  He's took quick for bigs and too powerful for wings.  Senior lefty Miles Smith (10.3 PPG) provides a major shooting threat.  Junior Jermell Taylor also returns to the starting lineup.  Dalal Gaarhaye provides experienced size inside.  Matt Kelley will see time at a guard spot.

Edina Hornets (2020-21 season 7-10, 4-8 Conference, Tie 4th)
The Hornets return 3 significant pieces from last season.  Forward Brady Helgren (17.2 PPG) can score inside and shoot it.  The guard spots are strong with PG Sammy Presthus (10.7 PPG) and lefty SG Gabe Jobe (20.5 PPG).  Jobe was the league's top scorer last season.  Seniors Noah Deets, Dane Lusty and Jack Dickey will be the depth.  A strong youth movement awaits behind them.

Hopkins Royals (2020-21 season 12-5, 9-3 Conference, 2nd)
Elvis Nnaji returns to the front line after averaging 10.8 PPG.  Max Wilson and Tyrell Sappington return in the backcourt.  The Royals add CJ O'Hara from Totino-Grace and frosh Jaleel Donley who saw big varsity minutes at Bloomington Kennedy last year.  8th grader Jayden Moore figures to be in the strong perimeter rotation as well.

Minnetonka Skippers (2020-21 season 6-12, 4-8 Conference, Tie 4th)
Coach Bryce Tesdahl returns 3 double figure scorers to a young lineup.  Junior Jalen Cain (17.7 PPG), senior Vlad Ciubotaru (14.3 PPG) and soph PG Andy Stefoniwicz (10.5 PPG) all return.  They also add reinforcements in junior transfers Ibo El-Amin and Alex Jones.  Soph Will Koeppen also saw major minutes.  All of them are perimeter players so keeping that group happy with enough shots is a major question.  They struggled with interior play on both ends last season and their 2 main post players have graduated.

St. Michael-Albertville Knights (2020-21 season 6-13, 4-8 Conference, Tie 4th)
Three starters return for STMA.  Leading scorer Johnny Tennyson (15.3 PPG) returns to lead the perimeter group.  Fellow guard Riley Purcell (7.5 PPG) and forward Carson Radke also return to the lineup.  The 11.7 PPG from forward Wyatt Blakstvedt will be missed.

Wayzata Trojans (2020-21 season 19-2, 11-1 Conference, 1st)
The defending state champs have to replace 3 of their top 5 scorers.  That includes 2 graduations and top scorer Camden Heide (17.9 PPG) to Wasatch Academy (UT).  With Heide back, they were still the state AAAA favorite.  But the Trojans are still very talented.  Forward Carter Bjerke (14 PPG) and Drew Berkland (9 PPG) are the top 2 returning scorers and deadly from 3.  Juniors Hayden Tibbits and Spencer Hall figure to play bigger roles at the guard spots after seeing major minutes last season.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Wayzata 
2. Hopkins
3. Eden Prairie
4. Edina
5. Buffalo
6. Minnetonka   
7. St. Michael-Albertville

Conference Overview
Wayzata still comes in as a favorite.  Hopkins and Eden Prairie will battle for 2nd behind them.  Then the next group of 3 could finish anywhere.  Edina and Buffalo both feature strong returning backcourts along with a talented inside forward.  Minnetonka has plenty of scorers but can they get stops?  That leaves only the last spot for STMA.  There's plenty of talent returning across the entire league.  That's after every team won at least 4 league games last year.  So expect each night to be a slugfest and another tight grouping in the standings.

Conference MVP: Carter Bjerke - Wayzata

Underclassmen to watch:  

• Brody Wishart - Buffalo
• JJ Sullivan - Eden Prairie
• Daniel Molhoek, Nick Presthus, Kole Hanson - Edina
• Jayden Moore, Jaleel Donley - Hopkins
• Andy Stefonowicz, Jordan Cain, Will Koeppen - Minnetonka
  
• Jackson McAndrew, Drep Nepstad - Wayzata

Conference Games to Watch

• Wayzata at Hopkins - Jan 18th
• Hopkins at Eden Prairie - Feb 8th
• Hopkins at Wayzata - Feb 11th
• Wayzata at Eden Prairie - Feb 18th

 Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Wayzata vs Totino-Grace - Dec 11th (Tipoff Classic)
• Shakopee at Wayzata - Dec 14th
• Wayzata vs Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 18th (Big 12 Classic)
• Hopkins vs Osseo - Dec 18th (Big 12 Classic)
• Wayzata vs Osseo - Dec 29th (Capitol City Classic)
• Hopkins at Minneapolis North - Jan 25th
• Wayzata at De La Salle - Feb 24th
• Hopkins at De La Salle - Mar 1st