This is the 8th preview in my 2025-2026 season preview series. Now its time to look at the city leagues and St. Paul goes first. For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.
Central Minutemen (2024-25 season 21-7, 11-1 Conference, 1st)
New coach Cam Jones comes in from Hill-Murray. He replaces the Scott Howell who finishes his run at Central with 238 City wins. That's 2nd all time trailing only Dan Brink. The Minutemen lose guard Allan Lankfard (16.2 PPG) who graduated as the all time leading scorer in St. Paul City Conference history with 1885 career points. The rest of a senior laden rotation returns. SG Eli Moseman (18.1 PPG) leads the way with wings Sefi Whittington (13.4 PPG) and Tesfa Sturm (11.3 PPG). Finnegan Bloedel (7.0 PPG) is an experienced banger inside. Etienne Reyes and Kaidyn Blakey also return. Finding someone to replace Lankfard as a ball handler will be key. Moseman will definitely handle it some, but you'd like to see him get loose off the ball as a shooter.
Como Park Cougars (2024-25 season 11-15, 5-7 Conference, 5th)
Former Tartan and Iowa State standout Jake Sullivan takes over the Cougars program. He has to replace all 3 double figure scorers at almost 49 PPG from last year. That includes forwards Ja'Hari Hill and DeJuan Jones. Senior guards Contrell Jenkins, Hezekiah Bradshaw, Jereiah Ranson and Jonas Tetevi will lead the offense. Jenkins led all returnees with 8.8 PPG last season. Size will be a question mark.
Harding Knights (2024-25 season 18-12, 7-5 Conference, 3rd)
The Knights parlayed their first postseason win since 2003 into their first ever trip to state. Now they lose 13 seniors and the 2 main returnees have both transferred. That's soph David Addai to Johnson and senior wing Salman Hussein (10.1 PPG) to East Ridge. A JV squad that went 9-3 in the league last year will need to develop quickly.
Highland Park Scots (2024-25 season 12-15, 6-6 Conference, 4th)
Highland Park has to replace their double figure wing duo of Yared Yohannes and Isaac Hooper. Junior Isaiah Davis is the top returnee at just under 10 a night and leads the forwards. But he'll need to stay out of foul trouble. Otahl Webb (8.7 PPG) returns to the lineup at a guard spot. Teagan Miller will join him in the backcourt.
Humboldt Hawks (2024-25 season 14-15, 3-9 Conference, 6th)
The Hawks have to replace 22 PPG from PG Pharroh Holliman. Senior wing Jakar Rice is poised for a big year after breaking out with 17.1 PPG last season. The junior inside out duo of SG Fadil Alabi (12.7 PPG) and forward Taurean Williams (7.9 PPG) will carry the scoring with Rice. Juniors Luke Hobday and Keith Whitlow also return to the rotation after seeing major time last season.
Johnson Governors (2024-25 season 20-7, 10-2 Conference, 2nd)
Tyrel Pride and his team high 15.4 PPG returns to Tartan. But the Govs return everybody else as they look for another 20 win season and the league crown. Kenny Turner (11.3 PPG) anchors the interior. D'Mari McMillan will spell him inside. Junior Colin Moore (8.4 PPG) will run the show again. They have a ton of experienced perimeter pieces that they can mix and match. Whether its smaller guards in Tavi Johnson and Kaiden Elphage or bigger wing types like Jermaine Curtis, Garnino Kamp or Paris Pollard, they all get after you in the classic Johnson pressure style.
Washington Eagles (2024-25 season 11-17, 0-12 Conference, 7th)
Washington has gone winless the last 3 seasons in league play. They have to replace the league's top scorer in guard Shawn Huberty (25.2 PPG) along with wing Leon Andrewin. Senior Jimale Ahmed (8.3 PPG) returns at the point. Fellow senior Aburahman Hassan joins him in the backcourt as another scoring option. Juniors Noah Rieger and Lesean Andrewin return on the front line. Not much depth or offensive punch for this roster. Defensively they'll need to improve as they had 10 losses where they gave up more than 80 points.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Johnson
- Central
- Highland Park
- Como Park
- Humboldt
- Harding
- Washington
Conference Overview:
For 21 straight years Central or Johnson has been the St. Paul representative in the Twin Cities Game. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Johnson is loaded as they lose only 1 guard from a deep guard corps. Add in Kenny Turner in the middle and the Govs are too much. Central with a ton back isn't far behind. In the next tier, Highland Park and Como Park will battle it out for the rest of the top half. I suggest any ties be broken by a 3 point shooting contest between the two head coaches since they combined for over 5500 career points in their local high school playing days. Humboldt will look to jump into that group with more returning, but Harding had a much better JV last year. Washington still trying to find a league win.
Conference MVP: Eli Moseman - Central
Underclassmen to watch:
- Tyler Mortellaro - Central
- David Addai - Johnson
- Styleson Vang - Washington
- Johnson at Central - Jan 15th
- Central at Johnson - Feb 10th
- Twin Cities Game - Feb 28th (St. Paul Champion)
- Johnson vs Mankato East - Dec 13th (Tipoff Classic at Edina)
- Central at Minnehaha - Dec 19th
- Johnson vs Alexandria - Dec 27th (Concordia-St. Paul holiday tourney)
- Central at Minneapolis North - Jan 17th
- St Paul Johnson hosting MLK Showcase - Jan 19th
- Johnson vs Orono - Jan 24th (The Collision at Cretin-Derham Hall)
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