2024-25 Minneapolis City Conference Preview

This is the 9th preview in my 2024-2025 season preview series.  In this preview, its a look at the Minneapolis City Conference.  For a list of all the season previews, click here.

Camden Patriots (2023-24 season 6-18, 2-10 Conference, tie 5th)
This is the former Patrick Henry high school renamed in the offseason.  Senior PG Eban Moua leads the returning roster.  Seniors Wali Mosley and Tramere White return on the front line.

Edison Tommies (2023-24 season 8-20, 2-10 Conference, tie 5th)
Frank Webster takes over the program after a disappointing season. He's been at St. Agnes and Washburn in the past.  The 2 graduated seniors were the 2 double figure scorers last season.  Leading scorer Deidrick Taylor averaged over 29 PPG from his guard spot last season.  Senior Sam Young (8.7 PPG) is the top returnee on the wing.  Soph Nico Luitjens-Weatherspoon is another returning wing and top scoring option. Junior Ronald Williams returns at a guard spot.

North Polars (2023-24 season 17-11, 7-5 Conference, 4th)
Former Edison coach Ahmil Jihad is the late replacement for former Timberwolves guard Ricky Davis in the head coach chair.  Forward Zashon Rich (19.2 PPG) is off to Wyoming for football.  Soph guard Marcus Marshall is a dynamic scorer who will lead the way.  Senior Allen Hill will be a ball handler.  J'Marion Sanders was another guard returning to the rotation but he had surgery during football season.  They'll have to replace a bunch of interchangeable centers for the front line.  The JV team won the Twin Cities Game last season so there's help from there too.

Roosevelt Teddies (2023-24 season 13-14, 2-10 Conference, tie 5th)
The Teddies were much improved last season and snapped their long league losing streak.  The wing play is their strength with junior Calvin Peterson (15.9 PPG) and senior Obie Esparza (10.7 PPG) returning.  Senior PG Steven Hunter also returns after averaging double figures last season.  Junior forward Josiah Alexander will need to replace the play of Avery Wells on the front line.  Jason Wind also has front line experience.

South Tigers (2023-24 season 22-7, 9-3 Conference, 2nd)
The 2023-24 Tigers were one of the great feel good stories of the last few years as they made a run all the way to the state tournament.  Great to see success for coach Joe Hyser.  The entire starting lineup needs to be replaced including star guards Poet Davis (19.4 PPG) and Jumarion Weh (17.1 PPG).  Eugene Brown will be a top option inside to replace Romero Walker.  Guard Greg Johnson returns to run the point.  Lots of youth on last year's JV squad that could look to contribute.

Southwest Lakers (2023-24 season 16-11, 8-4 Conference, 3rd)
Southwest has to replace the entire starting lineup and 3 double figure scorers.  Wing Liam Farniok (25.6 PPG) was one of the top perimeter players in the league.  Wing DeJaun Jones would be the top returning scorer at 4.6 PPG but he's now at St. Paul Como Park.  Vansin Smith returns inside.  Henry Liestikow is an experienced guard.  Henry Wolfe and Finn George are a couple of seniors who could contribute.

Washburn Millers (2023-24 season 25-4, 12-0 Conference, 1st)
Washburn graduates a ton including star forward Kyle Jorgensen (22.3 PPG).  But with a 2nd place JV squad and a champion freshman squad, the future is still bright for the Millers.  Senior Cooper Carlson is a shooter on the wing who averaged 11.4 PPG last year.  Senior Armoni Dischinger-Harris can run the point.  Juniors Alex Young and Ryker Van Nostrand will see much bigger roles this season.

Predicted Order of Finish

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

Conference Overview
After one of the best league seasons in recent memory, most of the league has heavy losses so expect a down year across the board.  Minneapolis North still looks to be the class of the league and be challenged by Washburn.  Roosevelt has most everything back, can they make a big jump?  Southwest has a ton to replace but has proven they can plug and play.  South, Edison and Camden are all rebuilding.

Conference MVP: Marcus Marshall - North

Underclassmen to watch:  

• Nico Luitjens-Weatherspoon - Edison
  
• Marcus Marshall - North
  
• Ramadan Ibrahim, Jumair Wright - South
  

Conference Games to Watch

• North at Washburn - Jan 13th
• Washburn at North - Feb 19th
• Twin Cities Game - Mar 1st (Minneapolis Champion)
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Park Center at Washburn - Dec 3rd
  
• South St. Paul at North - Dec 4th 
• North at De La Salle - Jan 10th 
• Breck at North - Feb 10th
• Hopkins at Washburn - Feb 15th
  
• North vs Cherry - Feb 25th (at Minnehaha Academy)
• Washburn at Breck - Mar 1st