This is the fourth preview in my 2021-22 season preview series. Moving
up to largely class AA schools now. Let's start with a look at the
Skyline Conference. For a list of all the
season previews and how they are done, click here.
Concordia Academy Beacons (2020-21 season 4-14, 3-8 Conference, 7th)
The best dressed coach in the league returns his top 3 scorers. That includes 20.3 PPG from junior lefty AJ Greene who is the top returning scorer in the league. Soph Luke Olson (8 PPG) and junior Luc Swanson (6.5 PPG) provide a couple of shooters around Greene. That will provide a solid perimeter trio for the next 2 seasons.
Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas (2020-21 season 6-11, 4-7 Conference, 6th)
Twins Erick and Derek Burgess have graduated after combining for 28.5 PPG. BJ Hollowell leads the returnees with 10.7 PPG. Senior Dashone Campbell (5.2 PPG) and guard Cayden Whitmore (4.7 PPG) also return to the rotation. They have a group of sophomores looking to step in. Miles Nelson tops that group averaging 4.9 PPG last season. The other sophomores Corey Dotson and Patrick Akoussan will have to provide their size.
Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs (2020-21 season 12-6, 9-2 Conference, 2nd)
The Mustangs return all but 1 player from their rotation last season. Senior shooter Jeremiah LaVelle averaged 20.2 PPG and is the #2 returning scorer in the league. The riches on the wing continue with juniors Bailey McDonald (12 PPG), Matthew Bluford (10.3 PPG), Isaiah Bluford (6.1 PPG) and Tori Legesse (5.6 PPG). Junior Nick Anderson gives them an athletic forward to play the middle.
New Life Academy Eagles (2020-21 season 8-12, 5-7 Conference, Tie 4th)
Robbie Whitney takes over as the 5th head coach in 6 years for New Life. He has one of the more talented rosters in the league to work with. Senior sharpshooter Kollin Kaemingk leads the offense after averaging 18.8 PPG last season. He was the only upperclassman on the roster last season. Juniors Max Briggs (12.4 PPG) and Erick Reader (6 PPG in limited action) return at the PG and big man spots respectively.
Nova Classical Academy Knights (2020-21 season 1-17, 0-11 Conference, 8th)
The Knights return wing Liam Borrell (8.6 PPG) and soph center Silas Revenaugh (3.6 PPG). Losing PG Rayan Taha (10.2 PPG) hurts as he was their main offensive option and ball handler. Coach John Carrier continues to develop the youth movement.
St. Agnes Aggies (2020-21 season 6-13, 5-7 Conference, Tie 4th)
Assistant and St. Agnes alumnus Chris Pierce takes over the program. He has a small lineup but 4 starters returning. Soph Andrew Weber (10.7 PPG) and senior Caleb Flood (10.6 PPG) are the returning double figure scorers. Junior Paul Plasch (8.5 PPG) also returns to a perimeter spot. Not much scoring beyond that.
St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders (2020-21 season 13-6, 10-3 Tri-Metro Conference, 3rd)
St. Croix Lutheran joins the league this season having to replace 6 of its top 7 scorers. The lefty guard duo of Zach Longueville and Owen Bushaw combined for over 35 PPG last season. Soph point guard Jaden Niesh (5.6 PPG) leads the returning roster. Omarion Miller is the only other returnee with significant experience.
St. Croix Prep Lions (2020-21 season 20-2, 12-0 Conference, 1st)
The Lions have to replace all 3 double figure scorers from last season. That includes the high scoring guard duo of Addison Metcalf and Andrew Howard. Metcalf led the league in scoring at 22.7 PPG while Howard was 5th at 18.4 PPG. Senior Peyton Gremmels (6.5 PPG) leads the returning scorers. The bench was very thin last year. Juniors Bjorn Benson and Cade Hanson look to step into primary roles.
Trinity Tri-Hawks (2020-21 season 10-10, 8-4 Conference, 3rd)
In a league with plenty of teams that push the pace, Trinity is a defend and execute, first one to 40 type of team. 4 senior starters from last year's surprise 3rd place finish. That's all the guards from the lineup including Zach Martin, Sam Bormann, Joe Rudquist and Kip Knippel. They provide almost all of the offense. They'll miss the size of Ben Erickson.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Maranatha
- New Life
- Trinity
- Concordia
- St. Croix Prep
- St. Croix Lutheran
- Cristo Rey
- St. Agnes
- Nova Classical
St. Croix Lutheran makes the jump from the Tri-Metro and moves back to class AA. Very logical move to be with its former east metro Tri-Metro members. Maranatha returns everybody and finished 2nd last year. They have to be the pick at the top. New Life and Trinity will battle for the 2nd spot with both returning a ton. Trinity has continuity in their favor. New Life is more talented but can they put it together? After the former MCAA members, there's a dropoff to the middle of the league. I'll take Concordia with AJ Greene coming back to be the best of the rest. Saint Croix is the patron saint for "we need to replace outstanding guard play". Cristo Rey will need their youth movement to lead the way. St. Agnes has the experience to give all of them a run. Nova Classical continues to rebuild. One scheduling quirk for the league this season is that Nova will only play league opponents 1 time.
Conference MVP: Jeremiah LaVelle - Maranatha
Underclassmen to watch:
- Luke Olson - Concordia
- Colter Stone, Parker Moseman - New Life
- Silas Revenaugh - Nova
- Andrew Weber - St. Agnes
- Jaden Neish - St. Croix Lutheran
- Maranatha at New Life - Jan 4th
- New Life at Maranatha- Feb 4th
- Maranatha at Holy Family - Dec 9th
- Maranatha at Columbia Heights - Dec 13th
- Twin Cities Academy/Great River at Maranatha - Dec 17th
- CHOF at New Life - Jan 11th
- Minneapolis South at Maranatha - Feb 1st
- New Life vs Legacy Christian - Feb 26th (UNWSP)
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