This is the 9th preview in my 2023-2024 season preview series. This preview is for the Metro
East Conference. For a list of all the season
previews and an explanation of how the previews are generated, click here.
Hastings Raiders (2022-23 season 7-20, 5-11 Conference, tie 6th)
The Raiders return 8 of their top 9 scorers. PG Owen Bernatz and his 16.3 PPG is the leader. Kellen Nuytten (10.7 PPG) is the other double figure scorer returning. He leads the front line. Junior Lukas Foss will be in that forward rotation too. Payton Lee-Dean, Parker McGinnis, Kyan Esterby, Weston Schult and soph Matthew Foss are the experienced perimeter rotation.
Hill-Murray Pioneers (2022-23 season 2-25, 0-16 Conference, 9th)
Cam Jones takes over the Pioneers program. He'll build around junior forward Xavier Daniels. The 2 year starter averaged 19.1 PPG last year. No other returnee averaged more than 5.9 PPG. That was senior wing Jake Kohler. The next 3 returning scorers after Daniels were on the roster but not opening night starters last year. So not much punch on the roster. They do add junior guards Ben Myers (9.2 PG) and Thomas Myers from St. Croix Prep.
Mahtomedi Zephyrs (2022-23 season 25-4, 15-1 Conference, tie 1st)
Its a new era for coach Keith Newman. 12 seniors have graduated so the entire rotation needs to be replaced. Star forward Owen Carlson (20.8 PPG) is off to Concordia-St. Paul. PG Will Underwood (18.9 PPG) is now at Wake Forest. Tyler Swanson will be a primary guard option. Micah Schmidt looks to be the top front line option. Charlie Thein, Sam Thein and Ben Carlson will be other rotation guys.
North Polars (2022-23 season 7-19, 6-10 Conference, 5th)
Anthony Harris is the new Polars head coach. 2 important pieces need to be replaced. Leading scorer Tavian Berglund (12.4 PPG) has graduated. Guard Jazayah Gates (8.1 PPG) is now at Tartan. Brevin Conway (11.1 PPG) is the lone double figure scorer coming back. Starting wing Ryder Salinas (6.8 PPG) returns to the lineup as well. Jayden McLaughlin (8.8 PPG) is another returnee.
St. Thomas Academy Cadets (2022-23 season 23-6, 15-1 Conference, tie 1st)
Khalid El-Amin has taken the Anoka-Ramsey head job. Assistant Jacob Sand moves over to the big chair. 4 of the top 5 scorers have graduated. That includes a guard group that had a ton of experience. There is 1 guard left to build around and that's senior SG Luke Dobbs (16 PPG). Junior Manny Smith (4.8 PPG) leads the front line. Sean O'Brien will be another guard option. Soph wing Lars Osteraas saw plenty of minutes last season and figures to have a much bigger role this season.
Simley Spartans (2022-23 season 7-19, 4-12 Conference, 8th)
Most of the short rotation needs to be replaced. That includes 17.6 PPG from wing Zach Jacobson. Guard Deoviez Gibson (14.1 PPG in 8 games) can be a go to guy for this group. Justin Klint will also see time in the perimeter rotation. Frosh Tre Lovelace along with sophs Conner Streiff and Lyric Groth will factor into that list too. Tapio Neimioja (4.4 PPG) will be the primary interior option.
South St. Paul Packers (2022-23 season 20-8, 11-5 Conference, tie 3rd)
The guard rotation will be strong with leading scorer Gavin Pendergast (14.2 PPG) and Elonzo Simmons (13.2 PPG) returning. Soph Sincere McCampbell (5.2 PPG) should see an increased perimeter role this season. A couple of transfers should make up the interior rotation. Senior Jordan Terhune comes in from Sartell. Frosh Mustafa Mohamed saw time at Twin Cities Academy last season. They'll replace America Fitch (7.6 PPG) in the big man spot.
Tartan Titans (2022-23 season 17-10, 11-5 Conference, tie 3rd)
A down year by coach Klingsporn standards still means 17 wins and a 3rd place league finish after replacing basically everybody. That means an up year this season with most of the team returning. Senior forwards Elijah Barrett (13.6 PPG) and Brody Radtke (5.9 PPG) are 2 top threats up front. Junior CJ Banks (12.2 PPG) leads the returning guard group. 8th grader Kevin Wilson gave them some good backup minutes last season too. Guard Jazayah Gates (8.1 PPG) transfers in from North St. Paul.
Two Rivers Warriors (2022-23 season 9-17, 5-11 Conference, tie 6th)
The Warriors need to replace all 3 double figure scorers from last season. Center Davion Long's length inside will be missed as well. No good answers to replace that. Junior PG Ramzi Rislove (6.7 PPG) and soph wing Lamont Michaels (6.1 PPG) are the duo to build around. Thomas Hesse (4.1 PPG), Tate Slowiak, Xavier Battle and junior Mason Boyken look to step into bigger roles.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Tartan
- South St. Paul
- St. Thomas Academy
- Hastings
- Mahtomedi
- Simley
- Two Rivers
- North
- Hill-Murray
Tartan has a ton coming back and has to be the favorite. South St. Paul's backcourt will keep them near the top. St. Thomas Academy can give them a battle there as they also return good guard play. Then the middle 3 is a toss up. I like what Hastings has returning so I'll take them to make a leap. Mahtomedi drops with a new roster. Simley is the best of the rest and will battle in the middle. Then a drop to the bottom 3. Two Rivers and North will battle for the 7th spot. Hill-Murray starts another round of rebuilding.
Conference MVP: Elijah Barrett - Tartan
Underclassmen to watch:
- Matthew Foss, Carter Lundstrom - Hastings
- Colton Ricker - Hill-Murray
- Lars Osteraas - St. Thomas Academy
- Tre Lovelace, Conner Streiff, Lyric Growth - Simley
- Mustafa Mohamed, Sincere McCampbell - South St. Paul
- JC Green, Tyrel Pride, Kevin Wilson - Tartan
- Lamont Michaels - Two Rivers
- Tartan at South St. Paul - Jan 17th
- Tartan at St. Thomas Academy - Feb 8th
- South St. Paul at Tartan - Feb 16th
- Minneapolis Washburn at Tartan - Dec 14th
- Minneapolis North at South St. Paul - Dec 15th
- Hopkins at South St. Paul - Jan 3rd
- St. Paul Johnson at South St. Paul - Feb 26th
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