2024-25 Skyline Conference Preview

This is the 5th preview in my 2024-25 season preview series.  Next on the list is the Skyline.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Concordia Academy Beacons (2023-24 season 10-18, 5-11 Conference, tie 6th)
The Beacons return 3 starters.  That includes their top duo of guard Gage Greene (14.1 PPG) and forward Noah Quiggle (13.5 PPG).  Guards Caleb Schutte, soph Marzae Huffman and Kurtis Persell also return to the lineup.  Andrew Sell will be another inside option.  Wings Kellen Quast and Luke Olson are 21 PPG of wing scoring that need to be replaced. 

Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas (2023-24 season 6-21, 5-11 Conference, tie 6th)
Cristo Rey turns the page from a group that struggled the last couple of seasons.  All 3 double figure scorers have graduated including 16+ PPG from guard Corey Dotson and wing Patrick Akoussan.  Senior guards Xavier Kolpitcke and Julian Jones are the top returnees.  The rest of the roster is a question mark.

Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs (2023-24 season 21-7, 15-1 Conference, 1st)
The 3 time defending league champs have to replace their 3 double figure scorers.  That guard trio of league MVP Datrell McCrimmon, Gresyn Rennie and Drew Balentine combined for almost 54 PPG last season.  They also caused havoc in being able to extend the defense.  Junior guard Daijor McCrimmon just missed out on double figures last year but should be the top option this season.  Eli Ahrends returns as a big body in the middle.  Sam Eibes will also return to the front line rotation.  JoJo Bartolomeos and Carson Moscoso return to the perimeter rotation.

New Life Academy Eagles (2023-24 season 14-14, 8-8 Conference, 4th)
4 of the top 5 scorers need to be replaced.  Wing/Forward Colter Stone (20.7 PPG) and shooter John Kirschling (15.9 PPG) are the biggest losses.  Noah Hahn averaged 18.8 PPG before missing the 2nd half of the season.  He'll be the top guy coming back.  Junior forward Gavin McColloch will be another option to pick up the offense.  Soph guard Evan Seaton will be another guard in the rotation.  Juniors Dylan Wall and Zeke Lindahl are other guard options.

Nova Classical Academy Knights (2023-24 season 10-18, 0-16 Conference, 9th)
Coach John Carrier has to replace 3 starters.  Center Silas Revenaugh and his 11 PPG will be very hard for the Knights to replace.  No other size options are available.  The guard play features senior Mason Engelking who averaged 13.3 PPG.  Junior Caleb Taylor (15.7 PPG) will be the other featured option after leading the team in scoring last season.

St. Agnes Aggies (2023-24 season 18-10, 13-3 Conference, 3rd)
The Aggies graduate 4 starters, all on the perimeter.  That includes the school's all-time scoring leader Andrew Weber, guards Cegan Flood and Elijah Simmons and wing Joe Skidmore.  Nolan Davis (12.4 PPG) returns for his 4th season in the middle.  Stephen Novak will see time on the front line too.  Guards Dan Plamann and Michael Gutzmann were rotation players last year who will have bigger roles this year.

St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders (2023-24 season 22-6, 14-2 Conference, 2nd)
St. Croix Lutheran was a great surprise last season.  Only 1 rotation loss in guard Elias Blumer (11.5 PPG).  The Crusaders very strong front line of Riccardo Marzetti (15.8 PPG) and Ole Skrien (13 PPG) leads the way.  Marzetti can play inside or out, Skrien is a sneaky athlete who rebounds and can block shots.  Guard Miguel Rafael returns as the top returning perimeter scorer.  Guards Matthew Beekman, Mateo Garcia and Issac Garcia also return.

St. Croix Prep Lions (2023-24 season 9-19, 5-11 Conference, tie 6th)
St. Croix Prep needs to replace their leading scorer Patrick Brown.  He averaged 15.2 PPG on the perimeter.  Forward William Weeldreyer (10 PPG) is the leading returning scorer as a physical presence inside.  Wing Brady Harbinson and junior Logan Eiselt also return to the starting lineup.  Soph Ali Akram is a youngster who looks for rotation minutes as well.

Trinity Tri-Hawks (2023-24 season 14-14, 7-9 Conference, 5th)
Trinity loses double figure scorer Justin Groppel (12.5 PPG) and forward Joseph Laughery.  Guard Nathan Adbebe (14.7 PPG) and wing Isaac Rudquist (13.9 PPG) are a potent senior duo on the wings. Josh Bormann and Zach Bowden are other wing options. Franklin Waldron is the lone returnee on the front line.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. St. Croix Lutheran  
   
2. Concordia
   
3. Maranatha
   
4. Trinity    
   
5. New Life 
   
6. St. Agnes 
   
7. St. Croix Prep
   
8. Cristo Rey 
9. Nova Classical

Conference Overview
Lots of important graduation losses across the league.  St. Croix Lutheran is the clear first pick as they return basically everything.  Building at Nova and Cristo Rey puts them in the bottom 2 spots.  Concordia, Maranatha and Trinity also have multiple quality pieces returning in the second tier.  Concordia has a ton of guards back plus Noah Quiggle inside, I like them next.  MCA's tradition gets the next spot here but Trinity at 3 wouldn't surprise me with their solid defensive style.  I think New Life has the most of the next group but St. Agnes always seems to exceed expectations.  St. Croix Prep looks to have another year where they could struggle to score.

Conference MVP: Riccardo Marzetti - St. Croix Lutheran

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Marzae Huffman, Logan Duis - Concordia
• Aaron Buchanan Jr - Cristo Rey
  
• Evan Seaton - New Life Academy
• Finn Penniman, Eli Taylor - Nova Classical Academy
• Ali Akram - St. Croix Prep
  

Conference Games to Watch

• St. Croix Lutheran at Maranatha - Jan 2nd
  
• Concordia at St. Croix Lutheran - Jan 6th
• Maranatha at St. Croix Lutheran - Feb 4th
  
• St. Croix Lutheran at Concordia - Feb 7th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• St. Paul Johnson at St. Croix Lutheran - Dec 3rd
  
• St. Croix Lutheran at Minnehaha - Dec 18th
• St. Croix Lutheran vs Blake - Dec 21st (Hutton Winter Classic at Hamline)
• St. Croix Lutheran at Southwest Christian - Feb 1st