This is the 11th preview in my 2021-2022 season preview series. In this
preview, a look at the Northwest Suburban Conference. For a
list of all the
season previews and how they are done, click here.
Andover Huskies (2020-21 season 13-6, 9-4 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Assistant Jeremy Hable takes over the Husky program. He has to replace double figure scorer Calvin Foy (13.4 PPG). Juniors Sam Musungu (16.1 PPG) and Ben Kopetzki (14.6) have plenty of experience to build around on the perimeter. Kopetzki is a tough as nails point guard, Musungu is a defender and slasher. Sam Angell returns to man the inside. Joey Mallet is another possible option there. Very limited experience and firepower beyond the top 3.
Anoka Tornadoes (2020-21 season 0-19, 0-13 Conference, 14th)
Former Bethel assistant Jesse Jefferson is the new head coach. He returns most of the roster including the 2 double figure scorers. Guards Keenan Rodriguez (12.9 PPG) and Jaypheth Nyamari (11.5 PPG) will lead the offense. Jacob Duetschman and Grant Chapman provide size inside.
Blaine Bengals (2020-21 season 6-12, 4-8 Conference, 9th)
Assistant Lance Pettis takes the reins of the program. Top scorer Sam Olson (12.2 PPG) graduated but the next 3 scorers return. Senior forward AJ Kaul (12.1 PPG), soph SG Ethan Pettis (8.9 PPG) and senior Isaac Moin (7.2 PPG) lead the returning roster. Seniors Jack Pelkey and Joe Beckman also return to the rotation.
Centennial Cougars (2020-21 season 2-17, 1-12 Conference, 13th)
Continuing the assistants take over theme, Spencer Valdvogel is the new Centennial head coach. Leading scorer Mason Lindsay (10.9 PPG) has graduated after being the only double figure scorer last season. Soph guard Ty Burgoon averaged 8.9 PPG after moving up to varsity. Reese Neudahl (6.4 PPG) returns on a wing. Kevin Jansa returns to provide size inside.
Champlin Park Rebels (2020-21 season 21-1, 13-0 Conference, 1st)
Former Rebel Aaron Kloeppner takes over the program. He has to replace the league's top 2 scorers and the top 6 Rebels scorers from last season. Center Francis Nwaokorie and PG Josh Strong combined for over 40 PPG last season. Wing Ayo Taki (2.8 PPG) is the top returnee. Ethan Lukandwa is the only other member of the rotation coming back. Seniors Lorenzo Andrews, Laju Denedo, Branden Shaffa, Leo Juusola and Alex Gamber along with soph Luke Graff should comprise most of the rest of the lineup.
Coon Rapids Cardinals (2020-21 season 9-12, 4-9 Conference, 10th)
The Cardinals have to replace a pair of double figure scorers from last season including PG Jordan Doe (11.2 PPG). They have 3 double figure scorers returning from a balanced lineup. Wing MJ Galimah (17 PPG), forwards Elijah Smith (14.8 PPG) and Matt Ellingson (11.2 PPG) all return to the rotation. Griffin Thom and forward Alex Beck also return to the experienced rotation. Plenty of length to deploy in their 1-3-1 zone.
Elk River Elks (2020-21 season 6-12, 3-8 Conference, 11th)
Elk River returns 3 starters. Cade Osterman (14.7 PPG) and PG Parker Behne (11.5 PG) lead the offense. PF Caleb Gillquist (8.2 PPG) returns as the leader of the front line. He'll see more interior touches with Brandon Melchior (13.1 PPG) transferring to Cretin-Derham Hall. Mason Mattingly is the only other experience returnee to the rotation.
Maple Grove Crimson (2020-21 season 13-10, 9-4 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The Crimson have to replace the solid wing duo of Morgan Moore (13 PPG) and Terence Anthony-Larmouth (9.3 PPG) plus versatile forward Caden Boettcher (11.6 PPG). They also lose center Payton Mogire to Robbinsdale Armstrong. PG Jon Haakenson returns after leading the team in scoring last year with 13.2 PPG. His recovery from a fall injury will be a big item to watch. Junior center Lincoln Palbicki (6.9 PPG) also returns to the starting lineup. Junior guard Raoul Vaidya returns to the rotation and can also handle PG duties. The rest of the rotation will be inexperienced due to 7 seniors graduating.
Osseo Orioles (2020-21 season 11-9, 8-5 Conference, Tie 7th)
Coach Tim Theisen has to replace 2 of his top 3 scorers. That includes Minnesota commit Josh Ola-Joseph (16.7 PPG) who was the leading scorer last season. The uber athletic forward is off to prep school for his senior season. Benard Omooria (10.3 PPG) and Tyriece Waits (8.4 PPG) return at the guard spots. Blessed Barhayiga (7.4 PPG) returns at center. Seniors Lewis Cargeor and Owen Dukowitz are experienced role guys that Osseo plugs in every year. Trey Smith and soph Isaiah Johnson could also jump into the rotation.
Park Center Pirates (2020-21 season 15-6, 9-4 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The beat goes on for coach James Ware and the Pirates. They have the top returning scorer in the league, Minnesota commit Braedon Carrington (18.1 PPG), at a guard spot. Ayouba Berthe and Leo Torbor are athletic wings that return. They also pick up wing Cody Pennebaker who scored 22.8 PPG at St. Francis last season. James Spencer will do the dirty work in the middle. Junior JJ Ware is the other experienced returnee.
Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons (2020-21 season 12-8, 8-4 Conference, 6th)
Former Maranatha and Totino-Grace head coach Rob Ware has been given the reins of the program. He needs to replace the 2 double-figure scorers from last season. Guard D'sean Larkins and shooter Dylan Inniger combined for over 35 PPG last season. Seniors Jamez Garner (7.4 PPG) and Peyton Newburn (8.2 PPG) return as top guards. Devin Jones, junior Owen Skram (6.9 PPG) and soph Seth Newburn also return to the rotation. Maple Grove transfer Payton Mogire takes over in the middle.
Rogers Royals (2020-21 season 5-14, 2-11 Conference, 12th)
Wing Michael Olowo (10.9 PPG) is the biggest lost from the rotation. Guards Peyton Belka (17.9 PPG) and junior Easton Whitcomb (8.3 PPG) return to lead the offense. Alex Bowman and Mitchell Jezierski return to the starting lineup. Lefty Nick Gleason returns to the rotation and can provide some shooting. They'll need to find size to replace Carter Daun (4.8 PPG) inside.
Spring Lake Park Panthers (2020-21 season 12-7, 8-5 Conference, Tie 7th)
The top 3 scorers from last season need to be replaced. They combined for 39 PPG last season. Breakout forward Logan Kinsey (9.4 PPG) will lead the way this season. He'll play his college ball at Minnesota-Moorhead. Nick Ojile (5.5 PPG) and Stephen Kesti will join him on the front line. In the backcourt, Payton Thomsen (8.1 PPG) is a quality shooter. Senior Jackson Weier will see time at the point guard spot.
Totino-Grace Eagles (2020-21 season 16-5, 11-2 Conference, 2nd)
Leading scorer CJ O'Hara (13.4 PPG) is now at Hopkins. Another double figure scorer Devin Burger (10.7 PPG) has graduated along with plenty of quality depth. Still plenty of riches for coach Nick Carroll. Iowa St commit Demarion Watson (12.6 PPG) and Tommy Humphries (9.8 PPG) man the wings. Junior Taison Chatman (12.6 PPG) returns at the point. Byron transfer Ahjany Lee will man the inside along with Patrick Bath. Bath can play a stretch 4 with both on the floor. RJ Spencer and PJ Ebeling are options in the rotation as well.
Predicted Order of Finish
North Division
- Maple Grove
- Andover
- Coon Rapids
- Champlin Park
- Blaine
- Centennial
- Anoka
- Totino-Grace
- Park Center
- Osseo
- Robbinsdale Armstrong
- Spring Lake Park
- Rogers
- Elk River
Conference Overview:
After using a single round-robin schedule last season, the league reverts to its usual 2 division North and West format. The league features 6 new head coaches this season. As has been the case in recent memory, the North division is far weaker than the West division. Division powers Champlin Park and Maple Grove have plenty of holes to fill but annually seem to reload. Maple Grove with 2 solid guards and a tough matchup inside coming back makes them my favorite. I'll move Andover up to second after their finish last season and 2 top guys returning. Coon Rapids also moves up with most of their roster returning. Champlin Park is a major wildcard here with a new coach and rebuilt roster. Blaine has a couple of pieces to work with so I'll put them ahead of rebuilding Centennial and Anoka.
In the West, Totino-Grace and Park Center are state championship contenders in the top 2 classes and have to be the favorites. I see Osseo having different chemistry and a redemption season after 2 straight seasons that weren't up to Osseo standards. They'll get a stiff test from Armstrong and Spring Lake
Park. Spring Lake Park is strong up front and always tough at home,
they'll be dangerous. Elk River and Rogers are a notch below and will battle to stay out of the cellar.
Conference MVP: Braeden Carrington - Park Center
Underclassmen to watch:
- Anthony Howze - Anoka
- Ethan Pettis - Blaine
- Ty Burgoon - Centennial
- Luke Graff - Champlin Park
- Isaiah Johnson - Osseo
- Seth Newburn - Robbinsdale Armstrong
- Zy'lierre Stewart- Totino-Grace
- Andover at Maple Grove - Jan 11th
- Park Center at Totino-Grace - Jan 21st
- Maple Grove at Toino-Grace - Jan 27th
- Maple Grove at Andover - Feb 4th
- Totino-Grace at Park Center - Feb 18th
- Park Center at Maple Grove - Feb 24th
- Hopkins at Maple Grove - Dec 7th
- De La Salle at Park Center - Dec 9th
- Totino-Grace vs Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 11th (Tipoff Classic)
- Park Center vs Wayzata - Dec 11th (Tipoff Classic)
- Maple Grove vs Eastview - Dec 11th (Tipoff Classic)
- De La Salle at Totino-Grace - Dec 18th (Big 12 Classic)
- Minnehaha at Park Center - Dec 18th
- Chicago Whitney Young (IL) at Totino-Grace - Jan 8th
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