2021-22 Tri-Metro Conference Preview

This is the 6th preview in my 2021-2022 season preview series.  Week 2 of this season's preview series begins with a look at the Tri-Metro Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Academy of Holy Angels Stars (2020-21 season 8-11, 5-9 Conference, 5th)
Senior guard Emmett Johnson averaged 11.7 PPG.  He's the lone returning double-figure scorer.  Terrance Roberts also returns at a guard spot.  Rob Issa and Aiden Smith are returning forward options.  Junior PF Joe Miller should see expanded time as the inside threat.  Cam Holter (8.6 PPG) has returned to Minneapolis Southwest plus Bryce Boyd (12.3 PPG) graduated.  Those were 2 of the top 3 scorers from last season and both played on the wing.

Brooklyn Center Centaurs (2020-21 season 1-16, 0-14 Conference, 8th)
Junior guard Quayvant Douglas had a monster season averaging 28.1 PPG.  But with minimal help around him, the Centaurs only won 1 game.  The only other double figure scorer, Ben Weyhee (16.4 PPG), has graduated  Forward Christopher Taylor is the top option up front.  Terryon Rogers and Michael Albertson are perimeter options .

Columbia Heights Hylanders (2020-21 season 12-3, 10-2 Conference, 1st)
Coach Willie Braziel is primed for another top notch season with his Hylanders.  He returns just about everybody from his rotation.  That includes the dynamic wing duo of Hassan Kamara (17.1 PPG) and Muja Burton (17 PPG).  Inside they return Donnavin Hinsz (14.9 PPG) and hopefully get Spencer Alvarez back from injury.  Terrence Brown (7.3 PPG) returns to run the show. 
 
De La Salle Islanders (2020-21 season 15-6, 10-4 Conference, 4th)
Last season was the worst De La Salle conference season since 2008-2009.  Coach Travis Bledsoe has to replace 2 of his 3 double-figure scorers from last season plus a top wing.  But he still has a strong perimeter group to work with.  Junior Nasir Whitlock (13.9 PPG) provides the most scoring punch and is coming off a strong summer.  Sophomores Casmir Chavis (6.9 PPG) and Randy McClendon (5.3 PPG) will be anchors of the rotation as well.  Seniors Amir Everett (6.1 PPG) and Kyle Johnson will also see plenty of time.  Losing the 16.3 PPG of Dartmouth signee Cade Haskins will hurt as much defensively as he was the only semblance of any size in the lineup last season.

Fridley Tigers (2020-21 season 8-10, 4-9 Conference, 5th)
Fridley loses 4 starters and 2 double figure scorers from last season.  Senior shooting guard Eli Nelsen (13.2 PPG) was the leading scorer last season.  Senior forward Devin Williams (8 PPG) emerged as an inside threat last season.  I expect his numbers to go up noticeably this season.  Limited options behind them.  Guard MJ Newton and forward Daniel Pobupa will also see rotation time.

Richfield Spartans (2020-21 season 16-5, 11-3 Conference, 2nd)
The star perimeter duo of Lamar Grayson (23.2 PPG) and Ryan Miles (13.4 PPG) needs to be replaced from last season's state semifinal team.  Bruising PF Jaden Wollmuth (14 PPG) and PG Mitchell January (11.2 PPG) return to anchor the lineup.  They provide a formidable inside out duo.  Senior Jaedyn Patterson will be a wing option.  Very limited experience after those players.

St. Anthony Huskies (2020-21 season 5-14, 4-10 Conference, 7th)
St. Anthony has to replace its top 3 scorers.  That includes leader Max Kachman (12.4 PPG) who graduated and breakout forward Gani Stevens (11.2 PPG).  Stevens is now at Minneapolis North.  Junior guards Nathan Lucas (7.2 PPG) and Caydin Hauser (6.2 PPG) are the top returning players in the rotation.  Fellow juniors Caden Rodkewich and Joe Randle will see significant rotation minutes as well.  

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Columbia Heights 
2. De La Salle
   
3. Richfield
4. Holy Angels
5. Fridley 
   
6. St. Anthony 
7. Brooklyn Center    

Conference MVP: Muja Burton - Columbia Heights

Conference Overview:
St. Croix Lutheran departs for the Skyline Conference leaving only 7 teams in the Tri-Metro.  Columbia Heights should be near the top of the AAA poll all season and are the clear favorite.  De La Salle and Richfield will be a quality battle for second.  De La Salle with more experience returning so I'll take the Islanders to rebound a bit from last season.  Holy Angels is the clear best of the rest.  Fridley and St. Anthony battle for the next spot.  I'm going to pick the Tigers since I got these 2 flipped last season and St. Anthony is young.  Brooklyn Center continues to rebuild.

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Jency Davis, Quaylin Hardrict - Columbia Heights
• Casmir Chavis, Randy McClendon- De La Salle

Conference Games to Watch

• De La Salle at Columbia Heights - Jan 11th 
• Richfield at Columbia Heights - Jan 18th
  
• Columbia Heights at De La Salle - Feb 4th
• Columbia Heights at Richfield - Feb 10th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• De La Salle at Park Center - Dec 9th 
• Minneapolis South at  De La Salle - Dec 11th (Tipoff Classic)
  
• Maranatha at Columbia Heights - Dec 13th 
• Robbinsdale Cooper at De La Salle - Dec 14th
  
• De La Salle at Totino-Grace - Dec 18th (Big 12 Classic)
• De La Salle at Benilde-St. Margaret's - Dec 21st
  
• Richfield vs South St. Paul - Dec 29th (Capitol City Classic)
• De La Salle at Minneapolis North - Jan 8th 
• Columbia Heights vs Minneapolis South - Jan 22nd (at Burnsville)
  
• Cretin-Derham Hall at De La Salle - Feb 19th
  
• Columbia Heights at Minnehaha - Feb 24th
• Wayzata at De La Salle - Feb 24th
• Hopkins at De La Salle - Mar 1st