This is the 13th preview in my 2025-2026 season preview series. Now its time for class AAAA as we have only 3 powerhouse AAA schools left. In this preview, a look at the Metro West Conference. For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.
Benilde St. Margaret's Red Knights (2024-25 season 26-3, 14-0 Conference, 1st)
Coach Damien Johnson has a down year in front of him. 3 stars have graduated including UNI commit Jalen Wilson (20.9 PPG). Guard Kobbe Willis injured a knee in the offseason. He was looking at a monster season. Point guard Conner Watts (3.4 PPG) and wing Milton Nuahn (4.8 PPG) are top returnees. Seniors Jaidyn Garibaldi and Cameron Best are candidates for minutes. Braylon Kelly-Taylor comes in from league rival Jefferson after averaging 8.1 PPG.
Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars (2024-25 season 6-20, 2-12 Conference, 7th)
The Jags lost their top scorer midway thru the season. Another top scorer graduates. Then 2 more top scorers have transferred. In addition to Braylon Kelly-Taylor, Isaac Feller (16.7 PPG) is now at Cretin-Derham Hall. So what's left. Latif Squires is the lone returning starter (5.4 PPG). Carson Christensen and Gus Vollmuth return as guards.
Chanhassen Storm (2024-25 season 11-16, 7-7 Conference, 4th)
Chanhassen has to replace their high powered wing duo of Riley Johnson (23.9 PPG) and John Schmidt (18 PPG). Junior wing Bennett Barger (11.2 PPG) should see his production dramatically increase as the top returnee. Senior Kolby Christl (7 PPG) joins him on the wing. Nathan Ramler (6 PPG) had a productive summer and will be the top inside guy along with Matthew Daly
Chaska Hawks (2024-25 season 10-18, 6-8 Conference, Tie 5th)
Juniors Tyler Forrest (10.5 PPG) and Kalin Jochum (7.4 PPG) are the top guys coming back. Forrest will be running the point for his 4th season. Evan Atkinson (7.2 PPG) and Mayer Lutheran transfer Chase Maetzold will man the wings. Eli Herzog is a shooter in the rotation. Marquis Connell will see lots of time handling the ball with Forrest. Jochum will be a primary front court option.
New Prague Trojans (2024-25 season 3-24, 1-13 Conference, 8th)
The top 2 scorers have graduated from a roster that was offensively challenged. Guard Andrew King (10.6 PPG) and forward Alex Meyer (8.3 PPG) lead this year's roster. Forward Myles Tietz and point guard Adam Lee return to the starting lineup. Spencer Bahn will also see time in the guard rotation.
Orono Spartans (2024-25 season 24-8, 12-2 Conference, 2nd)
Orono has to replace all world guard Nolan Groves (34.2 PPG), forward Brady Wooley (18.7 PPG) and wing Mitchell Kauch (9.5 PPG). Shooter Grant Hansen and wing Gavin McGuirk return to the starting lineup. Brennan Doherty, Griffin Mauer and Dane Kanwischer return on the wings. Wing Dane Skime transfers in from Rochester Century and will be a major lineup contributor.
St. Louis Park Orioles (2024-25 season 14-14, 6-8 Conference, Tie 5th)
The Orioles suffer the loss of the Curtis twins to North Dakota. They combined for 52 PPG last season. They lose a bunch of other seniors from the rotation too. Forward Matthew Johnson (9.3 PPG) is the top returning scorer. Shooting guard Tanner Rose will be a big boost to the lineup after sitting out last year due to a transfer from Benilde-St. Margaret's. Josh Rickford returns to the lineup and will be the guy running the point.
Waconia Wildcats (2024-25 season 13-14, 8-6 Conference, 3rd)
Former Concordia-St. Paul assistant Nick Perrin takes over the program. He'll build around star point guard Will Kirsch (23.4 PPG). Secondary scoring options include Jaxen Holmlund (6 PPG), Henry Wisniewski (6.2 PPG) and Colton Henke (5.5 PPG). Nickolas Theis and Luke Hill will man the front line.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Chaska
- Waconia
- Orono
- Chanhassen
- St. Louis Park
- Benilde-St. Margaret's
- Bloomington Jefferson
- New Prague
Conference Overview
The Metro West takes the biggest hit of any league in terms of graduation losses. I think Jefferson and New Prague battle to stay out of the cellar as the clear bottom 2. The top is a jumble and I see another year where we may see results that indicate nobody wants to win it. A bunch of mediocrity here. Chaska has experience and talented inside, outside and on the wing. Waconia with my pick for MVP goes second. Orono and Chanhassen battle for the next spot. St. Louis Park could easily jump into that mix. BSM is a wildcard with everything they lost.
Conference MVP: Will Kirsch - Waconia
Underclassmen to watch:
- Meech Williams - Benilde-St. Margaret
- Isaac Johnson - Chanhassen
- Chase Maetzold - Chaska
- Chaska at Orono - Jan 20th
- Waconia at Chaska - Jan 29th
- Chaska at Waconia - Feb 24th
- Waconia vs Minneapolis Washburn - Dec 6th (Big Stage at Hopkins)
- Waconia at Prior Lake - Dec 9th
- Chaska at Wayzata - Dec 16th
- Chaska vs Prior Lake - Dec 29th (Shakopee holiday tournament)
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