This is the fourth preview in my 2023-2024 season preview series. Week 1 moves along with this look at the Independent
Metro Athletic Conference (IMAC). For a list of all the
season previews and how they are done, click here.
Blake Bears (2022-23 season 15-11, 6-4 Conference, 3rd)
Coach Tyler Biwan returns his top 6 scorers from last season. Senior guard Grayson Okonronkwo (21 PPG) is the catalyst. He's flanked by juniors Drew Dillon and Kris Baker (7.8 PPG) along with soph Carson McMichael (13.2 PPG) on the perimeter. Juniors Omar Kaba (10.1 PPG) and Ian Schnabel (6.8 PPG) hold down the inside.
Breck Mustangs (2022-23 season 19-9, 7-3 Conference, 2nd)
Wings Waziri Lawal (12.3 PPG) and Will Walker (7.6 PPG) need to be replaced. But coach Harry Sonie still has a loaded roster. They also add Daniel Freitag from Bloomington Jefferson to increase the talent level even more. Leading scorer Hanif Muhammed (16.3 PPG) is back at a guard spot as another ball handler. Soph JP Musoke (7.8 PPG) and senior Kevin Armstrong (9.5 PPG) return on the wings along with junior Miles Newton (9.1 PPG). Junior Teddy Koch returns as a shooter. Junior Carter Steinbeck gives them length inside.
Minnehaha Academy Redhawks (2022-23 season 23-9, 8-0 Conference, 1st, state AA runner-up)
Minnehaha loses center Rolyns Aligbe (15.3 PPG) to graduation. They also lose their leading scorer and distributor Jerome Williams (20.3 PPG) and wing Harrison Aligbe (6.3 PPG) to prep school. Senior guard Lorenzo Levy (16.3 PPG) should fit nicely into Williams touches and could put up 25 PPG this year. Senior lefty Mateo Cortez Weiss is a wing shooter along with TJ Cusciotta. Then there's a group of juniors who played well together this summer that can step in. That includes guards Fitta Jafar and Quincy Starling along forwards Kingston Manning and George Norsman.
Mounds Park Academy Panthers (2022-23 season 9-18, 0-8 Conference, 6th)
Junior forward Wyatt Srsen (20.2 PPG) and senior guard Micah Hudock (16.3 PPG) are the returning 1-2 punch for the Panthers. Senior Jay Green (7.4 PPG) returns to run the point. There's been improvement in the program but the rebuild continues.
Providence Academy Lions (2022-23 season 6-20, 3-6 Conference, tie 4th)
The Lions have to replace their 2 double-figure scorers from a year ago. Forwards Alvin Mokua (15.6 PPG) and Dylan Perrill (14.9 PPG) were most of the scoring punch. Wings Henry Jacobson and George Jacobson will be 2 of the top scoring threats. Patrick Newman should be a primary guard option. Junior Matt Hunter looks to develop in an interior role.
St. Paul Academy Spartans (2022-23 season 18-10, 3-6 Conference, tie 4th)
Coach Kevin Keto lost 4 starters last season and the Spartans still won an impressive 18 games. Now the top 5 scorers and 4 starters return. Senior Mikkel Rawdon (18.2 PPG) holds down the inside. Seniors Ethan Carter (18.7 PPG) and Tysen Hayes (15.2 PPG) are versatile do everything types on the perimeter. Hayes is a big wing type who can be a mismatch problem playing inside or outside.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Breck
- Minnehaha
- Blake
- St. Paul Academy
- Providence
- Mounds Park Academy
Minnehaha shared the league title in a 3 way tie in the 1st year of the IMAC. Then they've run the table in league ever since. As the IMAC celebrates its 10th season, is this the season where the streak (currently 49 games) comes to an end? I say yes to that. The Redhawks are still going to be very good, but Breck is absolutely stacked. If the Mustangs put it all together, that's a state championship level team. How Daniel Freitag adjusts to not needing the ball all the time will be something to watch. Blake and SPA both return a ton and can play spoiler here as teams that could push for 20 wins. Blake gets the nod here via 2 close head to head wins over the Spartans last season. Providence and Mounds Park are rebuilding.
Conference MVP: Daniel Freitag - Breck
Underclassmen to watch:
- Carson McMichael, Aiden Wilson - Blake
- Waleed Muhammed, JP Musoke - Breck
- Ezra Cunningham - St. Paul Academy
- Minnehaha at Breck - Jan 16th
- Breck at Minnehaha - Feb 22nd
- Minnehaha at Orono - Dec 5th
- Breck vs Alexandria - Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic at Hopkins)
- Minneapolis North at Breck - Dec 19th
- Holy Family at Breck - Jan 10th
- St. Cloud Tech vs Minnehaha - Jan 13th (Southside Showcase)
- Breck vs Heritage Christian (WI) - Jan 20th (Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret's)
- Breck vs Esko - Jan 27th (Community Clash at Chanhassen)
- Lake City at Minnehaha - Jan 27th
- Columbia Heights at Breck - Feb 1st
- St. Paul Johnson at Minnehaha - Feb 3rd
- Minnehaha at Maranatha - Feb 10th
- Breck at Minneapolis Washburn - Feb 10th
- Breck at Eastview - Feb 14th
- Albany at Minnehaha - Feb 15th
- Maranatha at Breck - Feb 26th
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