This is the 9th preview in my 2025-2026 season preview series. Week 2 ends with a look at the Minneapolis City Conference. For a list of all the season previews, click here.
Camden Patriots (2024-25 season 8-19, 5-7 Conference, 6th)
The front line will be strong with the freshman duo of Lamar McBride and Malik Martin. McBride was the starting big man last year and Martin played up with the Howard Pulley top 15s this spring as a top 2029 prospect. Juniors Vincent Burks, Karlin Thomas and Lavon Jordan all saw time at guard spots last season so there's plenty of experience there.
Edison Tommies (2024-25 season 4-21, 0-12 Conference, 7th)
Junior wing Nico Luitjens-Weatherspoon was primed to be a top option but he's now at Columbia Heights. Top scorer Sam Young (8.3 PPG) has graduated. Wing Jashawn Scott (8.2 PPG) will be the top option. Walter Lish and PG Malakai Fernades return to the starting lineup as well. Another year where the Tommies will struggle to find a league win.
North Polars (2024-25 season 18-10, 9-3 Conference, 2nd)
The Polars need to replace 3 senior starters and leading scorer Marcus Marshall who is now at Maranatha. Senior guards J'Marion Sanders (17.1 PPG) and Cordae Williams (10.5 PPG) return as double figure scorers. Seniors Ronell Willis, Quantayvious Roberts and Jeremiah Johnson all saw perimeter rotation time last year. Senior forward Cortez Wright will be the interior guy with junior Elijah Harvey being another option with him.
Roosevelt Teddies (2024-25 season 16-10, 6-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Roosevelt finished over the 500 mark for the 1st time since 2017-18. Leading scorer Calvin Peterson (18 PPG) returns on the wing. Senior Kieran Quinlan joins him as as returning perimeter starter. Guards Steven Hunter and Obie Esparza (17.2 PPG) along with forward Jason Wind are starters that need to be replaced. Josiah Alexander returns inside.
South Tigers (2024-25 season 11-16, 6-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
South has to replace leading scorer Eugene Brown (16.5 PPG). The perimeter play will be a strength with the next 4 scorers coming back. Guards Jumair Wright (14.7 PPG) and Ramadan Ibrahim (11.7 PPG) lead the offense. Senior Ridwan Ibrahim (8.7 PPG) joins them in the starting lineup. The leadership of graduated Greg Johnson at the point will be missed.
Southwest Lakers (2024-25 season 10-16, 6-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The Lakers played about as big a rotation as anyone last season. They lose their only double figure scorer, Henry Wolfe (10.1 PPG) but return plenty of experience and will again be balanced. Forward Dashiell Erickson is a top threat. They have a nice junior group to go with him. Riley Kelley returns at the the point. Niko Case, Owen Boarman and Leif Kranz are all good experienced fits in their 5 out look.
Washburn Millers (2024-25 season 13-15, 10-2 Conference, 1st)
The 2-time defending Minneapolis champs have to replace both double figure scorers from last season. Guards Cooper Carlson (17.9 PPG) and Armoni Dischinger-Harris (15.6 PPG) are significant losses. The front line will be this year's strength with forwards Brayden Gorton (9.3 PPG) and Ryker Van Nostrand (5.7 PPG) being this year's go-to players. Both can step out and shoot it as well as work inside. Finley Carlson and Alexander Young are the top returning guards. Freshman Quianny Christian should see minutes as a shooter.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Washburn
- North
- Southwest
- South
- Roosevelt
- Camden
- Edison
Conference Overview
I see Washburn being the class of the league again. North losing Marcus Marshall is huge but they have enough guard play to stay above the rest. The middle will be a jumble again with the next 4 being easily set in any order. Camden loses quite a bit and was 6th last year so I leave them there but adding Malik Martin is a big deal. Southwest and South return more than Roosevelt so I'll give them the nod. Edison will again struggle.
Conference MVP: Brayden Gorton - Washburn
Underclassmen to watch:
- Malik Martin, Lamar McBride - Camden
- Landen Knox, Lucas Larsen - Roosevelt
- Jumair Wright - South
- Quianny Christian, Morris Matthews - Washburn
- North at Washburn - Jan 13th
- Washburn at North - Feb 19th
- Twin Cities Game - Feb 28th (St. Paul Champion)
- Hiawatha at North - Dec 4th
- Wayzata at Washburn - Dec 5th
- Washburn vs Waconia - Dec 6th (Big Stage at Hopkins)
- St. Paul Central at Minneapolis North - Jan 17th
- North at Maranatha - Jan 29th
- Minnehaha at Washburn - Feb 17th
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