This is the 17th preview in my 2025-26 Season Preview Series. In this preview, we head south for a look at the South Suburban Conference. For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.
Apple Valley Eagles (2024-25 season 23-8, 12-6 Conference, 3rd)
The Eagles look to take the another step as they've gone from 4 to 14 to 23 wins and a trip to state in a 3 year span. Leading scorer Camare Young (18.6 PPG) returns for the Eagles. He's a nightmare matchup with size and power to go with speed. He'll play a lot of point forward for them. Trey Parker (17 PPG) also returns as a guard who can score in a hurry. Ryan Christansen (5.6 PPG) returns as the stretch 4. Jaedin Williams will have a bigger role on the wing. Tylan Ward returns as as rotation guard.
Burnsville Blaze (2024-25 season 4-23, 2-16 Conference, Tie 9th)
Burnsville has to replace a large chunk of their lineup. Junior forwards Connor McDevitt and Jayden Anunda will be top options this season. Yannick Amoyi will see inside minutes. Guard play is a huge question mark.
Eagan Wildcats (2024-25 season 17-12, 10-8 Conference, Tie 4th)
The Wildcats return 4 starters as they look to compete for a league title. St. Cloud St commit Kevin Kemp (9.7 PPG) controls the middle. SG Mikey McKenzie (11.5 PPG) is one of the best shooters in the league with deep range. Leading scorer Alex Schroepfer (16.5 PPG) is the Swiss army knife that does it all and holds it together. Will Berran returns as their defensive minded guard. Junior Donjae Knox also returns to the front line. Senior wing Kyle Peterson also returns to the rotation.
Eastview Lightning (2024-25 season 5-22, 2-16 Conference, Tie 9th)
Wing JC Green (18 PPG) led the Lightning in scoring last season. He's the only returning starter. Justice Demarco and Erik Olson will man guard spots. Daniel Mekonnen will see time on the wing. Isaac Bone is the top returning option to man the interior.
Farmington Tigers (2024-25 season 15-13, 9-9 Conference, Tie 6th)
Farmington sees 5 of their top 7 scorers from last season graduate. That includes guard Ryan Beckwith and do everything forward Cole Wilcek. They were 2 of the 4 double figure scorers. They also lose junior forward Tommy Schabert (5 PPG) for the season due to injury. He was poised to be a major contributor. Forward Briggs Sheridan (9.6 PPG) is the top returning scorer and should be poised for a major increase in his production with the Schabert injury. He's a big body who will also shoot it from 3. On the perimeter, Blake Johnson (3.9 PPG), Kale Flees and Max Blandin all return to the rotation.
Lakeville North Panthers (2024-25 season 18-11, 10-8 Conference, Tie 4th)
Longtime assistant Mike Nolan takes over for retired hall of famer John Oxton. He had a 21-33 record in 2 years as the interim coach from 2006-2008. Northern State commit Dane Danielson (7.9 PPG) is the top returnee for a team that needs to replace 4 starters. He had a terrific summer as he's developed into that classic inside out forward. Tony Johnson (5.1 PPG) is the starter coming back. Lots of questions beyond those 2. Juniors Owen Brezinski and Reid Bishop look to complete with a group of seniors for minutes. Pete Krolak and Dylan Lepinski are a couple of guard in that senior group.
Lakeville South Cougars (2024-25 season 15-12, 9-9 Conference, Tie 6th)
Casey Fliehe (7.2 PPG) is the top returning scorer and the lone returning starter. Soph Nolan Greene (7 PPG) and Ryker Sanders return to the front line. Senior guard Collin Johnson (5.3 PPG) was very productive this summer. Expect a big increase in production from him. Nic Swanson also returns at a guard spot.
Prior Lake Lakers (2024-25 season 22-7, 13.5 Conference, 2nd)
Forward Norbu Jenpa (20.8 PPG) and PG Cade Wozney (11 PPG) have graduated. That means no double figure scorers return. The Lakers will still be very dangerous though. Forward Colten Gunderson (9.4 PPG) is a go to guy inside. Juniors Kobby Sanbrew and Trey Theis return as forwards with shooter Kolby Thompson. Zach Christofferson also returns to the front line. Cole Brinkman is another returning guard.
Rosemount Irish (2024-25 season 11-16, 7-11 Conference, 8th)
Assistant Kevin Smith takes over the program. He'll have 4 returning starters to work with. However that won't include leading scorer Jordan VanWinkle (13 PPG). Guard Peyton Gholson (12.5 PPG) leads the offense. Senior forwards Jack Burke (9.8 PPG) and Drew Molenaar will now be the top inside guys. Kavari Flowers and Ja'khi Hollie join Gholson as guards who can handle it. Mayon Dixon (9.3 PPG) returns as a wing starter.
Shakopee Sabers (2024-25 season 24-7, 16-2 Conference, 1st)
The Sabers have to replace 5 starters with their top 6 scorers. That's almost 65 PPG gone. But there's a group of talented juniors waiting in the wings. Shooter Luke Schroeder (5.8 PPG) could triple or even quadruple his production. Football standout Blake Betton (4.1 PPG) also returns to the rotation. Jake Courts is another wing who joined the rotation later in the season. I think he'll be a name that breaks out.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Prior Lake
- Apple Valley
- Eagan
- Shakopee
- Lakeville South
- Lakeville North
- Farmington
- Rosemount
- Eastview
- Burnsville
I see a trio at the top of the league. Prior Lake I see as the deepest lineup. Apple Valley has the most dangerous player. Eagan has way too much coming back to be picked any lower. Tons of losses in the middle. Shakopee just seems to reload and I'll take them to do that here. Farmington both with 1 versatile big guy but what they put around that guy is key. The bottom 3 all continue to rebuild.
Conference MVP: Camare Young - Apple Valley
Underclassmen to watch:
- Nolan Greene - Lakeville South
- Brady Molenaar - Rosemount
- Prior Lake at Apple Valley - Jan 12th
- Eagan at Prior Lake - Jan 15th
- Apple Valley at Eagan - Jan 20th
- Apple Valley at Prior Lake - Feb 10th
- Eagan at Apple Valley - Feb 17th
- Prior Lake at Eagan - Feb 20th
- Wayzata at Prior Lake - Dec 2nd
- Totino-Grace at Prior Lake - Dec 4th
- Apple Valley vs Totino-Grace - Dec 6th (Big Stage at Hopkins)
- Apple Valley at Hopkins - Dec 9th
- Apple Valley vs Rochester Mayo - Dec 13th (Tipoff Classic at Edina)
- Prior Lake vs Chaska - Dec 29th (Shakopee tournament)
- Eagan vs Hopkins - Jan 10th (Southside Super Showcase at Minnehaha)
- Prior Lake at Cretin-Derham Hall - Jan 24th (The Collision)
- Apple Valley vs Onalaska (WI) - Feb 7th (Border Battle at Hamline)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Have a different take than mine? You can provide your take here.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.