2022-23 St. Paul City Conference Preview

This is the 7th preview in my 2022-2023 season preview series.  Now that the private schools are mostly covered, its on to public schools.  We start with the city leagues and St. Paul goes first.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.

Central Minutemen (2021-22 season 11-15, 8-4 Conference, 3rd)
The Minutemen need to replace most of their rotation from last season.  Soph guard Allen Lankfard (12.9 PPG) is one of the league's top returning players.  Senior Jack Augustine gives them a solid option inside.  PJ Blakey and Eliezer Lopez-Henriquez are rotation options as well.  The JV squad won the league last year and will provide solid options.

Como Park Cougars (2021-22 season 16-10, 10-2 Conference, 2nd)
Como Park has a big task ahead replacing their dynamic forward duo of Donavan Clinton and Amir Plair.  They were 1st and 3rd respectively in league scoring last season. They'll build around junior forward Mason Aarness (8 PPG) and Levi Nichols.  Lots of inexperience behind those 2 as 10 seniors have graduated.

Harding Knights (2021-22 season 6-21, 4-8 Conference, 5th)
The Knights return 4 of 5 starters and a couple of reserves.  Forward Paul Walker (10.2 PPG) is the lone double figure scorer.  Soph PG Ai'jhon Douglas, Vell Benjamin and Robert Htoo return at the guard spots.  They'll be other top offensive options.

Highland Park Scots (2021-22 season 8-19, 6-6 Conference, 4th)
Highland Park returns just about everybody from last year's roster.  Junior forward Xavier May leads the way as the top returning scorer in the league.  He averaged 18.1 PPG in league play last year.  Senior wing Ishmael Powell is another double figure scoring threat.  Juniors Andrew Bacigalupi and Quintice Combs also return to the starting lineup.  Seniors Dillon Foster and Terez McDaniel-Vaughn also return to the rotation.

Humboldt Hawks (2021-22 season 2-23, 0-12 Conference, 7th)
Sam Esboldt takes over the Humboldt program.  Guard Jorge Irizarry (15.3 PPG) returns to leads the Hawks attack.  Angelo Wilson and Endale Witt also return to the rotation.  Kuyu Mohammed rereturns inside.

Johnson Governors (2021-22 season 16-6, 12-0 Conference, 1st)
Johnson has to replace their top 3 scorers.  Wing Ishmael David was the 4th leading scorer in the league last year at 14.6 PPG in conference games.  Junior forward Daejohn Thomas was a top 5 returning scorer in the conference and arguably the league's top inside threat.  He's now at East Ridge.  Guard Christian Jones and forward Rickhi Graham also need to be replaced.  Dhimani Tucker and Ka'jon Jordan return at the guard spots. 

Washington Eagles (2021-22 season 5-20, 2-10 Conference, 6th)
The Eagles return 3 of their top 4 scorers from last season that includes Ty Allen and Chris Birdsong at the guard spots.  Both averaged double figures last season.  Not much size but there is experience.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Highland Park    
   
2. Johnson
   
3. Central 
4. Harding  
5. Humboldt 
6. Como Park 
   
7. Washington

Conference Overview:
Highland Park gets my nod here with most of the roster coming back.  Johnson will still be there but the loss of Daejohn Thomas inside takes them out of the top spot.  Central loses most of their rotation but their JVs won the league last year and they traditionally reload.  Harding has the most coming back of the rest but they aren't at that level.  Sam Esboldt will keep Humboldt out of another trip to the cellar.  Como Park loses a ton and will battle Washington to stay out of the basement.

Conference MVP: Xavier May - Highland Park

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Allan Lankford - Central
• Ai'john Douglas - Harding
• Danny Hobday, Tes Sturm - Humboldt
  
• Kenneth Turner - Johnson
• Malakhi Bergman - Washington
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Johnson at Highland Park - Jan 12th
  
• Central at Highland Park - Jan 24th
  
• Central at Johnson - Jan 26th
  
• Highland Park at Johnson - Feb 7th
  
• Highland Park at Central - Feb 17th
  
• Johnson at Central - Feb 22nd
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Johnson at Hiawatha - Dec 10th
• Hiawatha at Central - Dec 16th
  
• Central vs Bloomington Jefferson - Dec 20th (at Hamline)
  
• Highland Park at South St. Paul - Dec 21st
  
• Minnehaha at Johnson - Feb 4th
  
• Central at South St. Paul - Feb 4th