2022-23 South Suburban Conference Preview

This is the 13th preview in my 2022-23 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 (2021-22 season 5-22, 2-16 Conference, Tie 9th)
Former De La Salle assistant David Collier is the new head coach.  The top 5 scorers have graduated.  PG Eli Ocharo (5.4 PPG) is the top returnee.  There is experience at the guard spots with Romelo Speights, Yaden Cunningham and youngsters Justin Cowan and Ja'khi Hollie.

Burnsville Blaze (2021-22 season 3-22, 2-16 Conference, Tie 9th)
Also a coaching change at Burnsville with assistant Erik Leafblad taking over the program.  Most of the roster returns.  He'll be able to build around the league's top returning scorer Khalif Bettis (19.8 PPG).  Henry Saykeo (12.6 PPG), Jeremy Sherlock and Jude De La Luz return at guard spots.  They also add guard JT Thornton from Lakeville North.  7 foot junior Henry Buchanan (6.7 PPG) returns as a rim protector inside.

Eagan Wildcats (2021-22 season 7-20, 3-15 Conference, 8th)
The Wildcats return their 3 top scorers, all on the perimeter.  The offense will run thru 4 year guard Emmanuel Schmitter (16.1 PPG).  Senior shooters Oscar Khazon and Austin Carruthers (10.8 PPG) surround him.  Khazon returns after missing much of last season due to injury.  Logan Schmitt needs to be replaced inside.  Jack Hansen figures to take most of those minutes.  George Anderson and Owen Ford will provide perimeter depth.

Eastview Lightning (2021-22 season 23-8, 13-5 Conference, 3rd)
Eastview has to replace 4 of their top 5 scorers including the top duo of F Jamal Ambrose and PG Kenji Scales.  They both averaged 15.8 PPG.  But this is Eastview and they just reload.  PG Dylan Omweno (9.8 PPG) and F Chet Kloss (6.5 PPG) lead the returning cast.  Kloss is the next in the long line of inside out Eastview forwards.  The supporting cast is loaded.  Mario and Myles Adams are athletic wings.  Elias Batala and Ruhan Jordan are solid guards.  Henry Eliason is a sniper.  Then there's another forward waiting to breakout in junior Jonathan Mekonnen.

Farmington Tigers (2021-22 season 21-8, 15-3 Conference, 2nd)
Farmington has to replace their top 3 scorers.  That includes star forward Kyle Hrncir and his 20.6 PPG.  PG Baiden Bean (8.6 PPG) leads the returning players.  Connor Todd is the only other rotation player coming back.  Juniors Tyler Beckwith and Brandon Hrncir figure to step in to the rotation.  Sophs Cole Wilcek, Jonah Ask and Nik Domier will compete for time too.

Lakeville North Panthers (2021-22 season 19-9, 12-6 Conference, 4th)
Coach John Oxton has the option to deploy a gigantic lineup with his 2-3 zone.  Wisconsin commit Nolan Winter (17.5 PPG) mans the middle defensively but his skill to step out on offense makes him a very dangerous offensive threat.  Jack Robison and Hudson Vaith are 2 versatile big wings who can score or distribute.  Matt Drake and Sam Nolan give them a set of more conventional guards should they go that way.  Jace Hernandez is a big body inside.  Will Kutzler and Erik Ryan are in the stretch forward mold that the Panthers have had for years.  A true point guard is about the only question this roster has.

Lakeville South Cougars (2021-22 season 17-11, 10-8 Conference, Tie 5th)
Lakeville South has to replace 3 of their top 4 scorers including 3 in double figures.  They'll be solid on the perimeter.  Guard Jackson Ressler (8.2 PPG) is the top returning scorer and anchor of this team.  Reece Volk joins him at a guard spot.  Junior wings Marley Baah-Yeboah and DaMarcus Burks will see much expanded roles.  Fellow Junior Ryan Johnson should also see time there after sitting out last year as a transfer.  Reece Gerl will man in the interior.

Prior Lake Lakers (2021-22 season 11-17, 7-11 Conference, 7th)
Forward Malcolm Jones (19.9 PPG) is now at Minnesota State.  That's the biggest loss with all 5 starters graduating.  Luke McCollough (4.1 PPG) is the top guy back.  Wing Gavin Pierce transfers in from Hopkins.  Joey Krouse and Luke Crosby will see guard minutes along with Vinny DeLuca.  Jamison Lien and Luka Mortenson are other rotation guys.

Rosemount Irish (2021-22 season 17-11, 10-8 Conference, Tie 5th)
The Irish have to replace Caleb Siwek (21.2 PPG).  He was a top 3 scorer in the league each of the last 3 seasons.  St. Cloud St commit Anish Ramlall (14.6 PPG) looks to step into that role this season after a breakout season last year and a great summer.  Rest of the guards are inexperienced.  Carter Theisen (6 PPG), Collin Archer, Gavin Bass and Kyson Leenherts will make up the front court.

Shakopee Sabers (2021-22 season 25-4, 16-2 Conference, 1st)
Shakopee has to replace their full starting 5 with a very productive 2022 class graduating.  That balanced group had 4 players in double figures.  The guard rotation will be the strength with juniors Jalen Langsy and Isaac Snell.  They both averaged 6.3 PPG last year.  Expect both to be double figure scorers this season.  Players like Tyler Boegeman will compete for the front court spots.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Lakeville North   
   
2. Eastview
   
3. Lakeville South
   
4. Rosemount 
5. Shakopee 
6. Eagan
   
7. Farmington
   
8. Burnsville 
   
9. Prior Lake
10. Apple Valley

Conference Overview:
Lakeville North with their experience is the favorite here.  Eastview reloads and is the easy pick for 2nd here.  Lakeville South has experience at all spots and a group of talented junior wings to put them in the top half.  After these 3, I see a group of mediocrity.  Rosemount has experienced bigs and a really good guard in Anish Ramlall.  That should be enough to overcome Shakopee's guard play.  Eagan and Farmington have nice guard play as well and can compete for the top half.  The bottom 3 are rebuilding with Prior Lake and Apple Valley losing a ton.  That means I give Burnsville the nod due to having their lineup back.

Conference MVP: Nolan Winter - Lakeville North

Underclassmen to watch:

• Justin Cowan, Ja'khi Hollie - Apple Valley
• Cole Wilcek, Nik Domier, Jonah Ask - Farmington
• Luke Loehlien - Prior Lake
• Kavari Floewrs - Rosemount
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Eastview at Lakeville North - Jan 10th
  
• Lakeville North at Eastview - Feb 14th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• East Ridge at Lakeville North - Dec 6th
• Eastview at Eden Prairie - Dec 8th
  
• Lakeville North vs Totino-Grace - Dec 10th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
• Eastview vs Wayzata - Dec 10th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
  
• Lakeville North at Wayzata - Dec 13th
• Lakeville North vs Park Center - Dec 17th (Big Stage Classic at Osseo)
• Eastview at Osseo - Dec 17th (Big Stage Classic) 
• Eastview at East Ridge - Dec 28th (East Ridge Holiday Tourney)
• Eastview vs Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 29th (East Ridge Holiday Tourney)
• Eastview at Minnetonka - Jan 3rd
  
• Lakeville North vs Eden Prairie - Jan 14th - (Hall of Fame Classic at ARCC)