2023-24 Minneapolis City Conference Preview

This is the 8th preview in my 2023-2024 season preview series.  In this preview, its a look at the Minneapolis City Conference.  For a list of all the season previews, click here.

Edison Tommies (2022-23 season 20-9, 7-5 Conference, 4th)
Forward Micah Young and his 20.1 PPG will be difficult to replace.  So too will wing Isiah Ayala (11.8 PPG) who is now at Minnesota Prep.  The Tommies do have 3 other notable returnees.  Guard Deidrick Taylor (14.8 PPG) will lead the way.  Legend Wright (8.6 PPG) and Jumarion Weh (6.8 PPG) also return to the rotation.  Juniors Francis Endrizzi and Sam Young look to step into rotation roles.

North Polars (2022-23 season 21-9, 11-1 Conference, 1st)
11 seniors need to replaced.  Wyoming football commit Zashon Rich is the lone double figure scorer. He's a versatile forward that can play inside and out with the added bonus of being left handed.  Jordan Hurd had a nice breakout season and returns in the middle.  Allen Jones and soph JMarion Sanders look to fill guard roles.  North's JV roster won the city last year so there's still plenty there to work with.

Patrick Henry Patriots (2022-23 season 8-17, 2-9 Conference, tie 5th)
Junior PG Eban Moua leads the returning roster.  Davonte White-Sledge also returns to the starting lineup.  Jeremie Niyonkuru and Wali Mosley are 2 experienced returnees.  The junior class looks to fill out the rotation.

Roosevelt Teddies (2022-23 season 4-22, 0-10 Conference, 7th)
Senior forward Avery Wells returned to Roosevelt at the end of last season.  He came back from Richfield and gives the Teddies a much needed offensive boost.  Junior wing Obie Esparza provides some shooting.  Senior Henry Murray also returns on the wing.  Teddies haven't won a league game since February 2019.

South Tigers (2022-23 season 6-20, 2-9 Conference, tie 5th)
Coach Joe Hyser has a couple of returning seniors to lead his Tigers squad.  Wing Poet Davis averaged 17.4 PPG last season.  Senior James Underwood  and his 7.3 PPG return at the point guard spot.  Forward Romero Walker is the top interior threat at 8 PPG.  Senior Maurice Hargrow returns to the rotation too.  Freshman guard Malachi Hill moves on to Totino-Grace after averaging 5.2 PPG last season.

Southwest Lakers (2022-23 season 19-8, 9-3 Conference, tie 2nd)
The Lakers have to replace a couple of double figure scorers.  Swiss army knife wing Caden Sullivan and his 13.4 PPG will be missed.  Southwest won't be short of scoring though.  Wings Liam Farniok (24 PPG) and Abe Anderson can knock down a bunch of 3s.  Farniok can go off in bunches.  Mason Dean (7.7 PPG) returns on the front line.  Guard Oliver Shors returns to the rotation as well.

Washburn Millers (2022-23 season 13-15, 9-3 Conference, tie 2nd)
Pound the rolling pin as the Millers look to make a run this year with a senior laden squad.  Colorado St commit Kyle Jorgensen (22.5 PPG) is one of the top bigs in the state.  He has quality footwork inside and an outside touch to boot.  Aedan Padgett joins him up front.  Blake Bergren and Charlie Gustafson return to starting perimeter spots.  Evan Young is a ball handling option in that group.  Cooper Carlson and Donnevan Okwor will join that group.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Washburn    
   
2. North
3. Southwest 
   
4. Edison 
5. South 
6. Henry
   
7. Roosevelt

Conference Overview
North is down from the previous high standard.  Washburn, Edison and Southwest all have plenty coming back.  Even South has a couple top returning pieces.  So I think its an up year for most of the league.  I take Washburn to reclaim the crown from North.  That should be decided on the final night of Washburn's league season on Valentine's Day.  Southwest is good enough to spoil it and try to over take the Polars as well.  Edison and South are clearly the best of the rest and will battle for the middle spot.  Henry is a level down.  Roosevelt looking to break their league losing streak.

Conference MVP: Kyle Jorgenson - Washburn

Underclassmen to watch:  

• JMarion Sanders - North
  
• Greg Johnson, Calvin Peterson - Roosevelt

Conference Games to Watch

• Washburn at Southwest - Jan 3rd
  
• Washburn at North - Jan 22nd 
• Southwest at Washburn - Jan 31st
  
• North at Washburn - Feb 14th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Washburn at Tartan - Dec 14th
• Washburn vs Eastview - Dec 16th (Big Stage at Park Center)
  
• North at Breck - Dec 19th
• North at Holy Family - Jan 3rd
  
• Washburn vs Holy Family - Jan 13th (Southside Showcase)
• De La Salle at North - Jan 19th
• Washburn at Wayzata - Jan 26th
  
• Breck at Washburn - Feb 10th
• Buffalo at Washburn - Feb 16th
  
• Hopkins at North - Feb 27th