2023-24 NW Suburban Conference Preview

This is the 11th preview in my 2023-2024 season preview series.  Its the 3rd and final week of the preview series and that means its time for the big schools.  Most of the teams this week will be AAAA schools.  In this preview, a look at the Northwest Suburban Conference. For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Andover Huskies (2022-23 season 23-9, 16-3 Conference, 1st North)
The Huskies have to replace their entire starting lineup.  That includes their star backcourt of Ben Kopetzki (25.5 PPG) and Sam Musungu (21.2 PPG).  They'll also miss the inside out forward play of Landyn Nelson (11.5 PPG).  Chase Pemberton and Luke Dehnicke should move into starting roles after being in reserve spots last season.  Guards Cameron Begalle and Alex Kopetzki should see increased roles as well with Kopetzki likely taking over the PG duties for his brother.  Ayden Shaw is an interior option.

Anoka Tornadoes (2022-23 season 12-16, 6-13 Conference, 5th North)
Junior guards Peyton Podany (13.5 PPG) and Trey Borchers (14.7 PPG) return after leading the team in scoring last season.  Soph Dre Ellis should also be a part of the backcourt rotation along with juniors Caleb Sherer and Afy Ibekwe.  Evan Freking looks to replace Reagan Reeder (13 PPG) as the interior guy. 

Blaine Bengals (2022-23 season 15-12, 11-8 Conference, 3rd North)
Forwards Ryan Bohlman (18.4 PPG) and Zack Schusted (14.5 PPG) are 2 major losses for the Bengals.  They also lose a reserve big man too so size is a question mark.  They'll be strong on the wing with shooter Ethan Pettis (16 PPG) and Alvin Payne (11.6 PPG).  Jordan Lyon (9 PPG) also returns to the starting lineup at a guard spot.

Centennial Cougars (2022-23 season 5-22, 3-16 Conference, 6th North)
Most of the roster returns.  Guard Ty Burgoon (14.9 PPG) and junior wing Jackson Driessen (10.5 PPG) are the top scoring threats.  Jack D'Agostino and Timmy Ball provide the interior play.  Seniors Will Quick and Luke Gunderman will be other primary rotation options.

Champlin Park Rebels (2022-23 season 10-16, 8-11 Conference, 4th North)
Champlin Park has to replace 4 starters.  That includes leading scorer Luke Graff (14 PPG) who transferred to Holy Family.  Wing Amory Peterson (11.8 PPG) will be the primary offensive option.  Nobody else averaged more than 4.5 PPG.  Senior guards Jevon Kiros and Parrish Wallace will look to step into bigger roles.  Lefty Dominick Mueller will be a front line option.

Coon Rapids Cardinals (2022-23 season 6-21, 1-18 Conference, 7th North)
Most of the roster returns from the end of last season.  But that was after 2 pieces were already gone.  The remaining group includes 3 double figure scorers. Lefty PG Jerry Freeman (12.2 PPG) and wings Jaxon Young (11.6 PPG) plus Jackson Hettwer (10.2 PPG) are the top options.  They'll be experienced but how will they rebound from a rough 2nd half.

Elk River Elks (2022-23 season 12-15, 8-11 Conference, 5th West)
The Elks have to replace 4 starters including guard Cade Osterman (21.8 PPG) and wing Carson Haack (19.3 PPG).  Guards TJ Caouette (6.5 PPG) and soph Levi Harris are top perimeter options.  Owen Van Drehle is a top forward option.  The rest of the rotation will be very inexperienced.

Maple Grove Crimson (2022-23 season 21-7, 15-4 Conference, 2nd North)
The Crimson need to replace center Lincoln Palbicki (11 PPG) and PG Raoul Vaidya (10 PPG) as part of losing 4 starters.  SG Henry Stang (11.8 PPG) returns after leading the team in scoring.  Gannon McGuire and Brady Laliberte will be solid wings who can knock down shots.  Josh Femrite will take over the primary minutes in the middle.  A solid group of juniors plus soph Kaden Harney will provide quality depth.

Osseo Orioles (2022-23 season 16-13, 11-8 Conference, 3rd West)
Wing Trey Smith (16.5 PPG) is the biggest loss.  He's now playing at Minnesota-Duluth.  Senior PG De'Mari Larkins (15.8 PPG) is the lone double figure scorer returning.  Fellow seniors Ty Swanson and Temi Deneno return with him in the backcourt.  Aaron Smith returns as big body in the middle.  Jaymeson Travis will be another interior option.

Park Center Pirates (2022-23 season 28-3, 17-2 Conference, 1st West, AAAA State runner-up)
The Pirates replaced 5 starters and were still an inch away from winning a state title.  This year they return 3 major pieces.  PG Cash Chavis (16 PPG), wing Jackson Fowlkes (13 PPG) and shot blocking forward Chiang Ring (10.5 PPG) make up a talented and experience nucleus.  Add in Osseo transfer Temi Omotoyinbo on the other wing and you have a roster looking to make another state title run. Aiden Memene is an experienced guard that returns.  They'll miss the clutch play of CJ O'Hara and dirty work from Kaden Cook.

Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons (2022-23 season 10-18, 6-13 Conference, Tie 6th West)
Coach Rob Ware used a ton of players last season and hopefully that experience pays off this season.  Leading scorer Owen Skram's shooting and 16.1 PPG will be missed.  Wing Seth Newbern (15 PPG) is the top returnee.  Junior Desmond Ware (8.2 PPG) returns at the point.  Senior guard Navonn Fields and Charles Scott are 2 experienced rotation options.  Fitz Freeman is an effective option at center.  Senior Langden College can also give them big man minutes.

Rogers Royals (2022-23 season 8-19, 6-13 Conference, Tie 6th West)
Mike Pomroy returns to the metro to take over the Royals program.  He was at the University of South Dakota women's program but has previous experience as the Irondale girls head coach.  Rogers has 3 of its top 4 scorers returning.  They are all on the perimeter.  Senior guards Blake Dalluge (16.2 PPG) and Jaxson Fuller (12.8 PPG) are the 2 returning double figure scorers.  Junior wing Colton Kazmierkoski (9 PPG) should be a double figure scorer this year too.  Treyvon Mix, Adam Broberg and Alexander Kane will also see perimeter minutes.  Michael Watson's 7.4 PPG inside will need to be replaced.

Spring Lake Park Panthers (2022-23 season 9-18, 9-10 Conference, 4th West)
The Panthers lose 2 of their 3 double figure scorers.  The wing position should be strong with leading scorer Andrew King (14.3 PPG) and Myles Thomson (6.2 PPG) coming back.  Forward Brock Remme (9.3 PPG) also returns to the lineup.  Gavin Welch will fill some point guard minutes.  They'll need to find a replacement for Beau Johnson (10.5 PPG) in the middle.

Totino-Grace Eagles (2022-23 season 24-8, 16-3 Conference, 2nd West, AAA State Champion)
Coming off a state championship season, the Eagles now look to reload.  4 significant members of the rotation need to be replaced with 3 of them off to mid or high major basketball.  Guard Zy'Lerre Stewart (5.9 PPG) is the other major loss as he's transferred to Columbia Heights.  Forward Isaiah Johnson (12.4 PPG) had a terrific summer and has committed to play at Miami.  Expect a huge season from him.  Sophs Tian Chatman and Dothan Ijadimbola are 2 of the best in the class and will step right in to starting roles.  Junior guards Tyler Wagner (9.4 PPG) and Chace Watley are very experienced.  Wagner is one of the premier shooters in his class.  A talented freshman group waits behind them.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Park Center
   
2. Totino-Grace
   
3. Osseo
   
4. Maple Grove
5. Robbinsdale Armstrong
6. Spring Lake Park
   
7. Rogers
   
8. Anoka
   
9. Elk River
10. Andover
11. Champlin Park
    
12. Blaine
13. Centennial
14. Coon Rapids

Conference Overview:
Major change to the league schedule this year as they decide to play a single round-robin league wide.  That means only 13 league games and more openings for those higher profile non-conference events.  Once again Park Center and Totino-Grace are the class of the league.  Park Center gets the home game plus they have experience so I'll take them.  Maple Grove and Osseo are the next tier.  Robbinsdale Armstrong will try to jump into that group.  Beyond that, it falls off to a ton of mediocrity.  That includes most of the entire former north division which is really down this year.  I'll take Anoka to make a jump with their returning guards.  Rogers also has some nice returning pieces for me to move them up.

Conference MVP: Cash Chavis - Park Center

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Dre Ellis - Anoka 
• Drew Bryant, Shiloh Ayitey, Lane Pettis - Blaine
• Kyler Pust - Champlin Park
• Levi Harris - Elk River
  
• Kaden Harney - Maple Grove
• Joel Saah, Eli Kuempel, Braxton Thomas - Robbinsdale Armstrong
  
• Xavier Frelix - Park Center
  
• Tian Chatman, Dothan Ijadimbola, Malachi Hill, Jaylan Hynes - Totino-Grace
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Totino-Grace at Maple Grove - Jan 16th
• Osseo at Maple Grove - Jan 19th
  
• Maple Grove at Park Center - Jan 23rd
• Totino-Grace at Osseo - Jan 23rd
  
• Park Center at Osseo - Jan 26th
  
• Totino-Grace at Park Center - Feb 2nd
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Totino-Grace at Hopkins - Dec 5th
• Totino-Grace vs Wayzata- Dec 9th (Tipoff Classic  at Hopkins) 
• Benilde St. Margaret's at Park Center - Dec 16th (Big Stage) 
• Bellevue West (NE) at Totino-Grace - Dec 16th
  
• Benilde-St. Margaret's at Totino-Grace - Jan 6th
  
• Totino-Grace vs Onalaska (WI) - Jan 20th (Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret's)
  
• Park Center vs Eau Claire Memorial (WI) - Jan 20th (Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret's)
• Eastview at Totino-Grace - Feb 10th
  
• East Ridge at Totino-Grace - Feb 28th
  
• Park Center at Columbia Heights - Mar 1st