This is the 18th preview in my 2025-2026 season preview series. In this preview, I finish my look at my look at each of the metro area conferences with a look at the Lake Conference. There's 1 more preview left. That will include section predictions and what to watch. For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.
Buffalo Bison (2024-25 season 14-14, 2-10 Conference, Tie 6th)
Buffalo has to replace all 5 starters and 6 members of their rotation. Their 16U grassroots team had a very strong summer season. Soph Thomas Jordan (8.3 PPG) played up with that group and is the top returning scorer. He fits the 5 out style well as he can play outside and be their best guy inside for a small lineup. Fellow soph Eli Hegle is a shooter who also played with that team. I can see him having a breakout season. Juniors Matthew Jordan (4.4 PPG) and Tony Jordan will see minutes too. Plenty of shooting available for this squad.
Eden Prairie Eagles (2024-25 season 13-14, 4-8 Conference, 5th)
The Eagles have to replace their leading scorer Max Lorenson (22.8 PPG). Guard play will still be their strength starting with PG Hamze Yusuf (17.2 PPG). He's surrounded by shooters Grant Sprute (6 PPG) and junior Carter Pulrang (6.1 PPG). Senior Cooper Fahning (6.3 PPG) is the tallest player but he can shoot it too as a stretch 4.
Edina Hornets (2024-25 season 9-19, 2-10 Conference, Tie 6th)
Coach Jon Bryant loses top scorer Billy DeMars (17.3 PPG) to UMD but returns his other 4 starters. They play a versatile roster. Forward Vincent Cronin (13.3 PPG) is the top guy. Gus Carpenter (9.8 PPG) and Mason Mohs (9.5 PPG) are top scoring options. Ben Rebischke is a starting guard. Will Newburg joins him in the backcourt. Junior Adryan Miller gives them a front line option.
Hopkins Royals (2024-25 season 26-2, 11-1 Conference, 1st)
Coach Ken Novak is now 19 wins away from matching the Minnesota all time record held by Bob McDonald. He brought in James Ware from Park Center to be the next head coach in waiting. The Royals have to replace 3 of their 5 double figure scorers. That includes 24.8 PPG from North Dakota recruit Anthony Smith. But you can always expect a high powered offense. Star PG Jayden Moore (15 PPG) returns to lead the roster. He'll likely be a Mr Basketball finalist. Junior forward Ahmed Nur (10.2 PPG) has seen his stock rise into a high major guy over the last year or so. Guard Tre Moore (5.9 PPG) also returns to the rotation.
Maple Grove Crimson (2024-25 season 23-9, 12-1 NW Suburban Conference, Tie 1st)
The Crimson have loaded up for their inaugural season in the Lake. High scoring guard Max Iverson (23.2 PPG) comes in from Delano along with Jack Thelen in the middle. I love the Thelen fit for them. Maple Grove is one of the rare teams that use big men in traditional ways and Thelen fits that mold. Add in a high major recruit in junior Baboucarr Ann (14.9 PPG) on the wing and you have a loaded roster. Bennett Cizadlo is another top 2027 wing who is now eligible. He played JV last year after transferring in from Totino-Grace. Henry Knutson (10.1 PPG) is a sneaky good athlete returning at a wing spot as well. Gavin Elmquist also provides experienced depth.
Minnetonka Skippers (2024-25 season 19-9, 8-4 Conference, 3rd)
Minnetonka was probably my worst analysis of last year as they were far better than I expected. They have to replace their top scorer Isa El-Amin (24.5 PPG). They'll still have Willie Wright and Anthony Ortiz (7.3 PPG) on the perimeter. They'll hope that football star Caleb Francois (9.6 PPG) sticks around for the hoops season rather than leave early for Iowa State. They played a short rotation last year. I expect the same this year.
St. Michael-Albertville Knights (2024-25 season 18-10, 5-7 Conference, 4th)
STMA has to rebuild the lineup with most of the rotation gone. That includes 3 double figure graduated scorers and 13.8 PPG from 7 foot center Jack Thelen who's now at Maple Grove. Size won't be a problem though as Maverick Maros and Drew Demarais return to the front line. Junior PG Braylon Bohm and Lane Jeffery are top options to be backcourt replacements. Junior Sekou Fofana is another wnig option. Ethan Jordheim is another front court option.
Wayzata Trojans (2024-25 season 28-4, 10-2 Conference, 2nd, AAAA State Champion)
The defending champs return their top 3 guys and they all averaged over 15 PPG. Iowa St recruit Christian Wiggins (19.1 PPG) and Minnesota signee Nolen Anderson (17.5 PPG) are the top 2 recruits in the state. They team up on the wing with Isaac Olmstead (15.6 PPG, UMD commit) running the show. Tommy Shunmugavelu (4.9 PPG) returns to do the dirty work up front. They also add a top junior in forward Izayah Cook from Sauk Rapids. He should be used to playing with 3 star seniors as he did that last season. Guards Xaviahn Ivey and Sam Mohs join forward Brady Lam is just some of the top depth that they also have.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Wayzata
- Maple Grove
- Hopkins
- Edina
- Minnetonka
- Eden Prairie
- Buffalo
- St. Michael-Albertville
Conference Overview
The top of the league is absolutely stacked. The top 3 are all top 5 teams in the state. Wayzata as the defending state champs with everything back has to be the pick. Coin toss on Maple Grove and Hopkins. How quickly the new pieces integrate at Maple Grove is something to watch. I'm going to take Edina as the best of the rest with 4 starters coming back. Minnetonka figured it out last year, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt here in a group of 3. Eden Prairie and Buffalo will be dangerous teams from the 3 point line but they'll live and die by it. St. Michael has too much to replace especially in a league this tough.
Conference MVP: Jayden Moore - Hopkins
Underclassmen to watch:
- Thomas Jordan, Eli Hegle - Buffalo
- Jamir Davis - Eden Prairie
- Tre Moore, King Smith - Hopkins
- Brody Cook, Ben Banwart - Maple Grove
- Willie Wright, Beckham Nelson, Elliot Thompson - Minnetonka
- Finn Dorfsman, Tanner Heinen - St. Michael-Albertville
- Maple Grove at Hopkins - Jan 6th
- Wayzata at Maple Grove - Jan 13th
- Hopkins at Wayzata - Jan 23rd
- Hopkins at Maple Grove - Jan 30th
- Maple Grove at Wayzata - Feb 6th
- Wayzata at Hopkins - Feb 17th
- Wayzata at Prior Lake - Dec 2nd
- Maple Grove vs DeLaSalle - Dec 6th (Big Stage at Hopkins)
- Tartan at Hopkins - Dec 6th (Big Stage)
- Apple Valley at Hopkins - Dec 9th
- Totino-Grace at Maple Grove - Dec 11th
- Wayzata vs Cretin-Derham Hall - Dec 13th (Tipoff Classic at Edina)
- Hopkins vs Totino-Grace - Dec 13th (Tipoff Classic at Edina)
- Maple Grove vs East Ridge - Dec 13th (Tipoff Classic at Edina)
- Chaska at Wayzata - Dec 16th
- Totino-Grace at Wayzata - Dec 23rd
- Maple Grove vs Rochester Mayo - Dec 26th (Capitol City Classic at Bethel)
- Maple Grove vs Tartan- Dec 27th (Capitol City Classic at Bethel)
- Hopkins vs Eagan - Jan 10th (Southside Super Showcase at Minnehaha)
- Maple Grove vs Nicolet (WI) - Feb 7th (Border Battle at Hamline)
- Hopkins at DeLaSalle - Feb 24th
- Maple Grove at Spring Lake Park - Feb 25th
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