2025-26 Skyline Conference Preview

This is the 5th preview in my 2025-26 season preview series.  Week 1 concludes with a look at the Skyline Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Concordia Academy Beacons (2024-25 season 16-11, 11-5 Conference, 3rd)
The best dressed coach in the metro has downgraded his wardrobe much to my disappointment.  He also has to replace 4 of his top 5 scorers.  That includes guard Gage Green and forward Noah Quiggle who both averaged over 14 PPG.  Junior guard Logan Duis is the top returning scorer 9 PPG.  He's joined in the backcourt by junior Langston Huffman (7 PPG) and junior Jake Smith (4.1 PPG).  Soph forward Zeid Ndiaye is a breakout candidate with significant upside.  Judah Shepp (5.5 PPG) will join him on the frontline trying to replace Quiggle's production.

Legacy Christian Academy Lions (2024-25 season 17-10, 7-1 MCAA, Tie 1st North)
Coach Nate Bellefeuille moves his Lions to the Skyline from the MCAA.  He loses top scorer Andrew Mulvihill (14.6 PPG) but returns 3 other double figure starters.  Hudson Strand (14.3 PPG) and Ty Nelson (12.8 PPG) provide returning perimeter firepower.  Forward Max Leifker (10.9 PPG) is the main big man but on offense plays as a stretch 5.  Junior guard Ryan Wald joins those 3 seniors as main rotation guys coming back.  

Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs (2024-25 season 14-14, 13-3 Conference, 2nd)
Al Harris takes over the program.  He has to replace leading scorer JoJo Bartolomeos (17.3 PPG) and 2 other role guys but still has a ton coming back.  Junior guard Marcus Marshall (22.1 PPG) transfers in from Minneapolis North so that will easily replace the scoring.  He's joined in the backcourt by Daijor McCrimmon (14 PPG), Jaidyn Rennie (8.2 PPG), Nate Williams (4.8 PPG) and Chris Daniel (2.9 PPG).  Eli Ahrends (10 PPG) and Teni Phillips (9.2 PPG) are experienced inside.  Its a roster that fits coach Harris and his style very well.  Expect them to play a high intensity defensive style with fast pace.

New Life Academy Eagles (2024-25 season 9-18, 4-12 Conference, 7th)
The Eagles return everybody except 1 senior.  Guards Grant Clausen (13.1 PPG) and Evan Seaton (12.7 PPG) lead the offense.  Seaton is one of the better shooters in the league.  Senior point guard Ezekiel Lindahl returns to run the offense.  Seniors Dylan Wall and Joshua Greene join them in the perimeter rotation.  Senior Cameron Karasek mans the front line along with juniors James Hudson and Kaden Place.

Nova Classical Academy Knights (2024-25 season 11-16, 3-13 Conference, 8th)
The Knights broke thru and got their first Skyline win ever last season.  Can they make another jump this season?  The 16.8 PPG from guard Mason Engelking will be hard to replace.  But they do return leading scorer Caleb Taylor at 18.5 PPG.  Kincaid Gerber (5.4 PPG) and Abe Brady (4.2 PPG) will look to pick up some of the lost scoring on the wings.  Finn Penniman, Cole Rydberg and frosh Elias Taylor all return at guard spots as well.  Size is a problem for them.

St. Agnes Aggies (2024-25 season 13-14, 10-6 Conference, 4th)
Former head coach Chris Pierce took an assistant job at North St. Paul.  Former Cooper coach Bo Powell temporarily had the job.  Now Malique McCoy comes in from St. Paul Academy to be the new head coach.   He has a major task ahead of him.  The Aggies will have to replace 10 seniors and that included their entire rotation.  Undersized junior guard Thomas Plasch (1.3 PPG) is the only player with any varsity experience.

St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders (2024-25 season 25-4, 16-0 Conference, 1st)
The Crusaders have to replace their entire starting lineup and top reserve forward after making the section final last year.  That includes league MVP Riccardo Marzetti (21.1 PPG) and 2 other double figure scorers.  The backcourt will still be solid and undersized with seniors Colin Avery, Isaac Garcia and Thomas Hermann joining junior Noah Little.  All saw a ton of time off the bench.  Who mans the front court is a huge question as there's no experienced candidate.  But the Crusaders do seem to just reload every season.

St. Croix Prep Lions (2024-25 season 17-12, 9-7 Conference, 5th)
Leading scorer William Weeldreyer (12.3 PPG) needs to be replaced after anchoring the interior for the last 2 seasons.  Logan Eiselt (11.7 PPG) paired with him up front last season and should lead the Lions offense this season.  Junior wing Ali Akram (11.2 PPG) returns to lead the perimeter offense.  Cooper Beckmann returns with him in the backcourt.  Patrick McGurran, Henry Canfield and Linden Taylor will be JV options from last year looking for bigger roles.

Trinity Tri-Hawks (2024-25 season 13-15, 6-10 Conference, 6th)
Athletic director Pat Buchanan stays home as the new head coach.  He's bounced around from Mayer Lutheran, Apple Valley and Kennedy in the past.  He has to replace all 5 starters.  Senior guard Tobias Berge (4.8 PPG) is the most experienced returnee.  Brian Maloy returns on the wing.  A group of sophomores who started on JV last year will look to step into bigger roles.

Predicted Order of Finish

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

Conference Overview
The league membership change looks like soccer relegation.  Legacy moves up from the MCAA.  Cristo Rey departs for the EMAC.  Maranatha is the heavy favorite here with most everybody back and adding Marcus Marshall.  Legacy also has plenty coming back so I'll pick them to make a push for the next spot in their inaugural season in the league.  After that, most everybody has major pieces to replace.  Concordia and St. Croix Lutheran should battle for the 3rd spot.  St. Croix Prep is the best of the rest and it drops off after that.  Nova, Trinity and New Life should be a fun battle for 6th.  I'll give New Life the nod here as they return the most.  Trinity and St. Agnes have entire lineups to replace.

Conference MVP: Marcus Marshall Jr - Maranatha

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Zeid Ndiaye, Jake Smith - Concordia
• Silas Kardell - Legacy 
• Colin Michaelis, Jeremiah Rupp - New Life
• Elias Taylor - Nova 
• Henry Canfield - St. Croix Prep 
• Jacob Bowden, Declan Cudd, Samuel Ekholm - Trinity

Conference Games to Watch

• Legacy at Maranatha - Dec 19th
• Maranatha at Concordia - Jan 26th 
• Maranatha at Legacy - Feb 3rd 

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Legacy at Becker - Dec 2nd  
• Maranatha at Lake City - Dec 6th 
• Maranatha vs Twin Cities Academy - Dec 26th (Capitol City Classic at UNW-SP) 
• Maranatha vs SW Christian - Dec 27th (Capitol City Classic at Bethel) 
• Minneapolis North at Maranatha - Jan 29th
• Blake at Maranatha - Feb 10th 
• Legacy at Spectrum - Feb 12th 
• Breck at Maranatha - Feb 24th 
• St. Paul Highland Park at Concordia - Feb 24th (Concordia all-time leading scorer Zach Towle returns home as Highland Park coach)