This is the 16th preview in my 2025-2026 season preview series. In this preview, I continue my look at the local big schools with a look at the Suburban East Conference. For a list of all the season previews and how they were generated, click here.
Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders (2024-25 season 29-2, 17-1 Conference, 1st)
The state AAAA runner up needs a new front line with Tommy Ahneman (18.1 PPG) and Monteff Dixon (12 PPG) graduating. Wing Ty Schlagel (18.4 PPG) and guard JoJo Mitchell (16.7 PPG, St. Thomas commit) lead a deep group. 4 other reserves return and they add guard Isaac Feller from Bloomington Jefferson. Junior Dre Frierson-Hollie is the main candidate to be the new interior guy. Feller, Isaiah Thom, Cartier Russell and Julian Smith join returning PG and defender Jason Johnson on the outside.
East Ridge Raptors (2024-25 season 21-7, 16-2 Conference, 2nd)
Star combo guard Cedric Tomes (27.3 PPG) returns. He'll play at Minnesota next year. He'll be recovering from a broken finger suffered during the football season. Shooting guard Bennett Skinner (11.6 PPG) joins him in the backcourt. Forward Graham Sanneh (5.4 PPG) also returns to the lineup. He's shown rapid improvement over the last year. Andrew Tharaldson joins him on the front line. Aidan Galvin and soph Ben Koch will be part of the backcourt rotation.
Forest Lake Rangers (2024-25 season 6-21, 3-15 Conference, 9th)
The Rangers return all but 1 member of their rotation. Guard DJ Westman (16.1 PPG) leads the way. Nobody else averaged more than 7.6 PPG. Kevin Ndirangu, Adam Sorenson and Connor Johnson join him in the starting lineup. Landon Schwartz and Alex Sanchez are other front line options. Jayden Dillard (7.6 PPG) is another scoring option in the backcourt.
Irondale Knights (2024-25 season 5-22, 1-17 Conference, 10th)
Travis Dedina is the new Knights head coach. He has to replace top guard Jake Dedominces (21.3 PPG) and 6 other seniors. Forwards Cameron Cramble (12 PPG) and Mason Broussard (6.2 PPG) provide good size up front. Fisher Killins (5.3 PPG) and Vaughn Macdonald are the top returning guard options.
Mounds View Mustangs (2024-25 season 20-8, 12-6 Conference, 3rd)
Mounds View has to replace their entire lineup of 10 seniors. Seniors Basil Casper and Qani Mohamed along with junior Connor Crosby will lead the front line. Juniors Rylan Happel, Ried Defeyter and Andrew Aitkin should be a perimeter rotation with soph Dominic Barrett.
Park Wolfpack (2024-25 season 12-16, 6-12 Conference, 8th)
The guard duo of Anthony Giadyu (18.9 PPG) and Miskir Esayas (14.9 PPG) graduated so no double figure scorers return. The wing play will be a strength with Aaron Sandin (9.6 PPG) and Brandon Bihm (8.7 PPG) as the top returning scorers. Junior Justin Ebbers can stretch the floor as their main size guy. Seniors Caleb Sweet and Keon Moody return at guard spots. Expect them to once again go with a short bench of only 1 or 2 guys.
Roseville Raiders (2024-25 season 10-17, 8-10 Conference, 6th)
A familiar name returns to Roseville as Tom Critchley Jr takes over. His dad Tom and brother Ted ran the program a few years ago. He'll have hall of fame coach Dave Galovich (Crosby-Ironton) on his staff. Four starters and 8 other seniors have to be replaced. Forwards Carter Bloomquist and Wayne McGriff return. Junior wing Micah Wiscus (11.6 PPG) is the leading returning scorer. No experience outside of those 3.
Stillwater Ponies (2024-25 season 17-11, 11-7 Conference, 4th)
The Ponies lose 3 of their top 4 scorers. Junior forward AJ Taban (12.9 PPG) was the leading scorer but he's off to Totino-Grace. But they are deep in that spot. Juniors Carter Zollar (12.6 PPG) and Owen Stangl (5.9 PPG) should fill in nicely there as top options. Zach Krusemark and Gabe Smith also saw front court time last season. Replacing the guard play of Henry Zollar and Manny Smith is also needed. Senior lefty Henry Percic (4.7 PPG) is the lone experience guard coming back. Bjorn Naatjes will be a candidate at the point guard spot.
White Bear Lake Bears (2024-25 season 14-12, 9-9 Conference, 5th)
Forward Colin Piper (15.2 PPG, Florida Tech commit) returns but they lose 9 seniors from the rotation. Junior forward Preston Crider will be another front court presence. Nick Cardenas is the only other player with any rotation experience.
Woodbury Royals (2024-25 season 10-17, 7-11 Conference, 7th)
Coach Kent Getzlaff returns a pair of starters. Wings Muad Abdulrahim (12.7 PPG) and Brandan Fahey (6.9 PPG) lead the program. Junior forward Tyler Erickson (4.5 PPG) and soph guard Ethan Studer (4.2 PPG) are nice young pieces to work with. Senior Cohen Rogers will also see wing time. Juniors Ethan Hauser and Nolan Freymiller and soph Carter Wilkerson were JV starters last year. They'll compete for minutes this season.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Cretin-Derham Hall
- East Ridge
- Woodbury
- Stillwater
- Park
- Forest Lake
- Mounds View
- Roseville
- White Bear Lake
- Irondale
Conference Overview:
CDH remains the class of the league. East Ridge has nice balance and a star in Tomes. After that, drop to Woodbury who I think makes a jump with a nice returning group. Stillwater will be big, but they'll have to figure out guard play. Park has a nice wing group to work with. Forest Lake also looking to make a jump with most everybody back. Mounds View has to drop with zero experience coming back but they always plug the next group into their system. Roseville and White Bear Lake also have to replace just about everybody. Irondale loses their top guy and has struggled for 2 seasons so they stay in the cellar for now.
Conference MVP: JoJo Mitchell - Cretin-Derham Hall
Underclassmen to watch:
- Anthony Armstrong, Zeke Gilbert- Cretin-Derham Hall
- Ben Koch - East Ridge
- Soren Lukkason - Forest Lake
- Dominic Barrett - Mounds View
- Ethan Studer, Carter Wilkerson - Woodbury
- East Ridge at Cretin-Derham Hall - Jan 8th
- Cretin-Derham Hall at East Ridge - Feb 13th
- Cretin-Derham Hall vs Wayzata - Dec 13th (Tipoff Classic at Edina)
- East Ridge vs Maple Grove - Dec 13th (Tipoff Classic at Edina)
- Cretin-Derham Hall at Totino-Grace - Dec 19th
- Cretin-Derham Hall vs Alexandria - Dec 27th (CSP Holiday Tournament)
- East Ridge at Totino-Grace - Jan 2nd
- Prior Lake at Cretin-Derham Hall - Jan 24th (The Collision)
- Cretin-Derham Hall at DeLaSalle - Jan 31st
- Wayzata at East Ridge - Feb 9th
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