This is the 13th preview in my 2021-22 Season Preview Series. In this preview, we head south for a look at the South Suburban
Conference. For a list of all the season previews
and how they are generated, click here.
Apple Valley Eagles (2020-21 season 4-15, 4-14 Conference, Tie 8th)
Apple Valley once again has to replace their top 3 scorers. That includes Dylan Omweno (11.2 PPG) who is now at crosstown rival Eastview. Junior forward Khalif Bettis (8.9 PPG) will lead the offense. Quinn Ewald (6.6 PPG) also returns to the starting lineup as a hard working wing. Mileo Patterson will see time on the front line as well.
Burnsville Blaze (2020-21 season 0-19, 0-18 Conference, 10th)
Burnsville loses 3 of their top 4 scorers from last year's squad. Junior guard Henry Saykeo (9.1 PPG) leads the returning unit. Nobody else averaged more than 3.7 PPG last season. Brendan Affana-Shanks returns in the center spot. Sterling Brown and Abdihamid Jama return at perimeter spots.
Eagan Wildcats (2020-21 season 6-13, 6-12 Conference, 7th)
Coach Kevin McKenzie returns 3 of his top 4 scorers from last season. The junior duo of double figure scorers Oscar Khazon (13.7 PPG) and Emmanuel Schmitter (13.2 PPG) returns on the wings. Khazon is a knock down shooter and Schmitter is a solid all around wing. Logan Schmidt (6.6 PPG) returns to anchor the middle. The experience of 8 seniors who all saw significant minutes will be missed. Olana Mitoro and Mason Amann are main candidates to fill those minutes.
Eastview Lightning (2020-21 season 17-3, 16-2 Conference, 1st)
Eastview replaced all 5 starters last season and won the league outright. Now they lose 6 of their top 7 scorers. But the Lightning once again will reload and be a threat to win the league. Kenji Scales (14.7 PPG) returns at the PG spot. They also add Dylan Omweno from Apple Valley as another guard. Juniors Mario and Myles Adams look to fill wing spots. The front line is loaded with Jamal Ambrose and Chet Kloss. Both are in the classic Eastview mold of bigs who can step away from the basket and shoot it.
Farmington Tigers (2020-21 season 12-8, 11-7 Conference, 6th)
The Tigers have to replace 4 of their top 6 scorers from last season. Leading scorer Kyle Hrncir (13.8 PPG) returns to the lineup after a nice summer with WOTN. Guard Sam Hoffman (6.9 PPG) and forward Zach Cochnauer (5.7 PPG) also return to the rotation. Rod Finley and Connor Weed will also see major minutes.
Lakeville North Panthers (2020-21 season 13-7, 12-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
It will be a youthful Lakeville North roster after graduating 3 of their top 4 scorers. That includes a combined 26.5 PPG from Will Blascziek and Cooper Laufenburger. 3 juniors will lead the way. That group features a pair of talented wings in Nolan Winter (11 PPG) and Hudson Vaith (5.6 PPG). Add in soph lefty Jack Robison (4.1 PPG) and you have a nice core for the next 2 seasons. Seniors R'Moni Warner (5.9 PPG), Brayden Manning and Michael McDonald will see rotation time.
Lakeville South Cougars (2020-21 season 13-7, 12-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The Cougars have to replace 2 double figure scorers including star guard Reid Patterson (18.2 PPG) and Trystan Ressler (10.4 PPG). The wing position will be deep with Avery Mast (12.2 PPG), Sam Fliehe (7.5 PPG) and lefty Connor Beauchamp. Chase Androff returns to man the interior. Junior Jackson Ressler is an option to run the show.
Prior Lake Lakers (2020-21 season 4-15, 4-14 Conference, Tie 8th)
Senior forward Malcolm Jones led the league in scoring at 20.2 PPG last season. Expect that to happen again this season. Kellan Miller (8.3 PPG) and PG Kyle Haas also return to the starting lineup. Emmett McKush and Tommy Hjerpe are experienced guards in the rotation.
Rosemount Irish (2020-21 season 15-7, 12-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The Irish are coming off a state tournament season. They gave Cretin-Derham Hall all they wanted in a 41-40 loss in the state quarters. Senior Caleb Siwek (20.1 PPG) is the top sniper in the league along with being a clutch player in crunch time. I expect a monster season from him. The next 3 scorers behind him need to be replaced. That includes the 10.8 PPG, defense and leadership of guard Sean Sullivan. Junior guard Anish Ramlall (6.1 PPG) should pick up much of that. Carter Theisen and Sam Kuseske return to man in the interior.
Shakopee Sabers (2020-21 season 17-6, 13-5 Conference, 2nd)
Shakopee returns most of their balanced rotation from last season. Forward Mick Wherley and his 10.8 PPG will be the hardest thing to replace. The main key will be keeping leading scorer Cade McGraw (12 PPG) healthy at the point guard spot. UMD commit Nick Katona (11.7 PPG) and Sam West are versatile forwards. Yonis Mohamud (7 PPG) can score in bunches from the shooting guard spot.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Shakopee
- Eastview
- Rosemount
- Lakeville North
- Lakeville South
- Eagan
- Farmington
- Prior Lake
- Apple Valley
- Burnsville
Shakopee made the state tourney last year and has most of the roster back. That makes them the pick here. Eastview will reload and give them a stiff challenge. The next 3 all tied for 3rd last season and that seems very plausible again as all return multiple pieces. I'll put Rosemount at the top of the group thanks to their state qualification and return of Caleb Siwek. Eagan loses experience but returns 2 top scorers and an experienced big. Combined with Farmington's losses, I'll flip-flop them in this year's standings. Prior Lake has the best player of the rest. Apple Valley and Burnsville are in major rebuilds.
Conference MVP: Caleb Siwek - Rosemount
Underclassmen to watch:
- Jeremy Sherlock - Burnsville
- Jack Robison - Lakeville North
- Isaac Snell - Shakopee
- Eastview at Shakopee - Jan 28th
- Shakopee at Eastview - Feb 24th
- Eastview at Chaska - Dec 3rd
- Eastview vs Maple Grove - Dec 11th (Tipoff Classic)
- Shakopee at Wayzata - Dec 14th
- Eastview at Minnehaha - Dec 14th
- Eastview vs Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 30th (East Ridge Holiday Tourney)
Khalif Bettis has returned to Burnsville
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