2024-25 NW Suburban Conference Preview

This is the 15th preview in my 2024-2025 season preview series.  Its the final week of the preview series and that means its time for the metro big 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 (2023-24 season 11-17, 4-9 Conference, 10th)
Andover will be one of the more entertaining teams to watch.  They return quite a bit from last season.  The returning senior guard trio of Alex Kopetzki (12.1 PPG), Cam Begalle (10.5 PPG) and Luke Fenton (13.5 PPG) is rock solid and they all shoot it.  Levi Strenge is another nice wing option.  Junior forward Eddie Miles (7.7 PPG) returns to be the primary guy inside. The versatility of Luke Dehnicke and his breakout year will be missed.

Anoka Tornadoes (2023-24 season 12-16, 5-8 Conference, 9th)
The story is much the same for Andover's arch-rival.  Senior guards Peyton Podany (18.6 PPG) and Trey Borchers (13.4 PPG) return after leading the team in scoring last season.  Junior Dre Ellis had a breakout year with 11.8 PPG and could make another jump this season.  Seniors Caleb Sherer, Dominic Bakhit and Afy Ibekwe provide depth there.  Junior Brody Lakanen will see plenty of time too.  Size is a question mark.

Blaine Bengals (2023-24 season 7-20, 3-10 Conference, tie 11th)
Bernie Ward comes over from the Andover staff to lead the program.  He needs to replace all 3 double figure scorers from last season including guard Alvin Payne and his 21.6 PPG.  Juniors Cade Neilson and Noah Tieden look to be primary front court options along with David Diamond.  Guards Nanno Gemta (7.5 PPG) and junior Lane Pettis (6.8 PPG) are the top 2 returning scorers.

Centennial Cougars (2023-24 season 8-19, 1-11 Conference, 14th)
Its another year of fun stretch 4 type players for the Cougars.  Jackson Driessen leads the returning cast with 15.2 PPG.  Jacob Hosfield and Zach Espinosa also fit that bill with experience.  They should be able to make up for the scoring punch lost by the graduation of leading scorer Ty Burgoon (15.5 PPG).  Jack Dagostino returns at the point.  Junior Tristan Hanson returns as a solid front court option

Champlin Park Rebels (2023-24 season 14-13, 7-6 Conference, 7th)
The Rebels look to take another step this season.  Wing Tyler Wagner is a big time shooter transferring in from Totino-Grace.  He'll more than make up for the loss of Amory Peterson.  Add him to Preston Thielke (18.3 PPG) and lightning quick soph PG Kwa Silikpoh (10.3 PPG) to give a trio that can match most anybody.  Soph Gavin Walter and senior Kyler Pust will also see plenty of perimeter minutes.  Senior Mo Jalloh is a quick undersized 4 man.  Simon Woodruff gives them length inside if needed.

Coon Rapids Cardinals (2023-24 season 16-15, 3-10 Conference, tie 11th)
Coon Rapids has to replace a big group of seniors after breaking thru section 7AAAA for a trip to state.  Coach Mike Ogorek can still build around leading scorer Jaxon Young (18.5 PPG) and Taigan Plowman-Tate on the outside.  Jeremy Otte will see point guard minutes again.  Armando Henry is another guard candidate.  Jadon Ekoue could become the primary big guy. 

Elk River Elks (2023-24 season 4-23, 2-11 Conference, 13th)
Elk River returns leading scorer Max Spanier (12.4 PPG) at a guard spot plus power forward Dominic Webster (8.2 PPG) as a nice duo to build around.  Junior guard Levi Harris coming back from injury is a big boost to the offense.  Juniors Chase Sheldon at guard and Jackson Boll at forward should see rotation minutes.

Maple Grove Crimson (2023-24 season 20-9, 11-2 Conference, 2nd)
Maple Grove loses leading scorer Henry Stang (19.7 PPG) from the point guard spot.  They'll be strong on the wing with leading returning scorer Keegan Harney (13.8 PPG) and star soph Baboucarr Ann (6.1 PPG).  Junior Kaden Harney joins them as another shooter.  Senior Bo Draheim provides wing depth.  Nathan Hromadka returns as the primary post player along with Michael Wagner.  My question mark is point guard play.

Osseo Orioles (2023-24 season 19-9, 9-4 Conference, 4th)
Its a rare year where you think this traditionally strong program is down but this is one of those seasons.  The Orioles have to replace the entire rotation except for reserve guard Willis Crudup (2.1 PPG).  So there's lots of question marks when you have to replace a guard trio of over 40 PPG and a front line of over 20 PPG.  I'll take it as a given that they find that role playing big man.  Guard play on the other hand I'll look to soph Owen Counce to have a chance at a major role this season.

Park Center Pirates (2023-24 season 27-4, 10-2 Conference, 3rd)
Coach James Ware has to replace 4 double figure scorers and a ton of talent.  Wing Temi Omotoyinbo (9.9 PPG) is the top returning scorer.  Forward Abu Keita transfers in from Benilde-St. Margaret's and should fit nicely into the Pirates style of play with his athleticism.  Emmanuel Jentzen had to play JV last year as a transfer but will be a major piece this season as a wing/forward.  Junior guard Xavier Frelix will be another significant piece.

Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons (2023-24 season 14-13, 8-5 Conference, Tie 5th)
The Falcons have to replace 4 of their top 5 scorers.  That includes versatile wing Seth Newbern who was the team's top scorer at 18.1 PPG.  Senior PG Desmond Ware (14.1 PPG) leads the offense.  Charles Scott returns on the wing.  Joel Saah is also a ball handler who provides the option to move Ware off the ball.  Legend Wright and Eli Kuempel provide depth on the wings as well.  How do they replace the size of Fitz Freeman inside?

Rogers Royals (2023-24 season 21-10, 6-7 Conference, 8th)
Rogers had the early season injury to guard Adam Broberg and still won 21 games in an impressive season.  2 double figure scorers plus Broberg need to be replaced.  Guard Trey Mix (11.4 PPG) and wing Colton Kazmierkoski (7.6 PPG) lead this year's team.  Dylan Bachmeier will be another member of the guard mix.  Almost zero experience on the roster after that.

Spring Lake Park Panthers (2023-24 season 15-12, 8-5 Conference, Tie 5th)
Its another year where Spring Lake Park has to replace their entire lineup.  That includes 26.6 PPG from forward Brock Remme and 2 other double figure wings.  Jason Eagle returns as a banger inside.  Colin Welch will be the primary guard.  Soph Cal Spencer looks to be a part of that guard rotation as well.  Experience will be an issue with only 2 reserves coming back from the main rotation.

Totino-Grace Eagles (2023-24 season 27-5, 13-0 Conference, 1st, AAA State Champion)
The 3 time defending AAA state champs are poised to make it 4.  That's despite the graduation of star Isaiah Johnson-Arigu and transfer of Tyler Wagner, last year's top 2 scorers.  Juniors Dothan Ijadimbola and Tian Chatman return to the lineup.  Senior guard Chace Watley (Wofford commit) had a fantastic summer and will be the leader of this group. Soph Malachi Hill is poised to get even more point guard minutes.  Vince Jacob and Josiah Young are seniors who should see minutes too.  Star frosh Daniel Zoa transfers in from Legacy Christian.  Not a ton of size here but lots of athletes to make up for it.  Reminds me of old Hopkins teams.

Predicted Order of Finish

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

Conference Overview:
Totino-Grace is the heavy favorite here as they look for 4 state titles in a row.  Park Center loses a ton but is still very talented so I'll leave them at 2nd.  Maple Grove should stay right in the mix too.  Then the next group may not guard anybody but Champlin Park, Anoka and Andover all have really good guard play.  Expect all 3 to score a ton.  Armstrong loses a little less than Osseo who loses everybody.  Only their tradition keeps the Orioles this high.  Elk River has the best pieces after this.  I like Centennial's wings but they've struggled in recent years.  The bottom 3 are all in rebuilding years.  The league stays with its single round-robin schedule.  Maple Grove will be playing its last year in the league before joining the Lake Conference next season.

Conference MVP: Dothan Ijadimbola - Totino-Grace

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Kwa Silikpoh, Gavin Walter - Champlin Park 
• Baboucarr Ann, Bennett Cizadlo - Maple Grove
• Owen Counce - Osseo
  
• Cal Spencer - Spring Lake Park
  
• Malachi Hill, Jaylan Hynes, Daniel Zoa - Totino-Grace
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Park Center at Totino-Grace - Feb 3rd
  
• Totino-Grace at Park Center - Feb 25th
• Maple Grove at Totino-Grace - Jan 21st
• Park Center at Maple Grove - Jan 28th
  

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Hopkins at Totino-Grace - Dec 4th
• Totino-Grace vs Wayzata - Dec 7th (Tip-Off Classic at Hopkins) 
• Park Center vs De La Salle - Dec 7th (Tip-Off Classic at Hopkins) 
• Champlin Park vs Farmington - Dec 7th (Tip-Off Classic at Hopkins)
  
• Breck at Totino-Grace - Dec 14th (Breakdown - The Big Stage)
• Park Center at Hopkins - Dec 17th
  
• Totino-Grace at East Ridge - Dec 20th
• Totino-Grace at Cretin-Derham Hall - Jan 3rd
• Park Center vs Farmington - Jan 25th (The Collison at Cretin-Derham Hall)