This is the 3rd preview in the 2026-2027 season preview series. We continue on with the small local schools and a look at the Eastern Minnesota Athletic Conference. For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.
Academy for Sciences and Agriculture Eagles (2025-26 season No Varsity Team)
AFSA did not play a varsity schedule last season. Unknown if they will play a varsity schedule this season.
Avail Academy Valor (2025-26 season 11-12, 5-4 Conference, 4th)
Avail returns 3 starters including top forward Carsten Bruin. Senior Eli Brockmeier and junior Ezra Aune also return on the wings. Junior guard Andon Vande Glind also returns to the rotation. A group of 4 sophs looks to provide depth.
Community of Peace Academy Tigers (2025-26 season 3-18, 2-6 Conference, Tie 7th)
The Tigers didn't win a game last year against an opponent that was outside the league. 4 starters return including 3 that were underclassmen last year. Junior guard Zach Dimmich-Shaw (12.6 PPG) led the team in scoring last season. Sophomores Jaylenen Phipps and Centrell Green join him on the wings along with Sincere Bradley. Senior Achilles Madison (9.5 PPG) leads the front court. Jiar Walker is another interior option.
Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas (2025-26 season 3-20, 2-6 Conference, Tie 7th)
The Pumas have a lot to replace. Guard Genric Lenoir is 1 of 3 or 4 top scorers that needs to be replaced. Guard Marnelle Moore is a top returnee for a small lineup. Sophs Anthony Porter and Eli Sears are undersized guards who will see lots of minutes. Senior Tristan Fields will be the big man with soph Nemo Gutierrez backing him up.
Great Oaks Academy Royals (2025-26 season, No Varsity Team)
Great Oaks is a new Eagan based charter school that will be playing their 1st year of a varsity schedule.
Groves Academy Griffins (2025-26 season, No Varsity Team)
Once again it appears that Groves will not play a varsity schedule
Hiawatha Colliegiate Wolves (2025-26 season 21-6, 7-0 Conference, 1st)
After last season ended it looked like this was a year for Hiawatha to be a major threat not just to win the league but to be the team representing section 5AA at state. Then star forward and league MVP King James left for prep school and 3 other significant pieces led by Kristian Ward (12.4 PPG) also left via transfer. 2 of those to section rival Minneapolis North. So now the season looks totally different for the Wolves. Jaden Hollowell, Montez Brown, Myshawn Washington should make up a solid backcourt. Tim Holmes (15.7 PPG) is the top big man in the league. Ay'veon Taylor joins him up front.
Hmong Academy Warriors (2025-26 season 10-19, 4-4 Conference, 5th)
Nate Robinson takes over the Warriors program this season. Lone double figure scorer Xavier Yang is one of 10 seniors that needs to be replaced. That decimates the rotation leaving limited experience and size. Guard Houston Thao (5.9 PPG) is the top returning option.
Hope Academy Lions (2025-26 season 15-13, 7-1 Conference, 2nd)
The Lions look to make a run for the league title and maybe a section crown as they return most of their rotation. Lefty wing Jordan Moss leads the team with 17.7 PPG. Junior point guard Tyriek Martin was the other double figure scorer at 12.4 PPG. Senior Braylon Peterson provides shooting. Senior Eli Samuel returns to man the paint.
International School of Minnesota/Chesterton Academy Huskies (2025-26 season 5-18, 3-4 Conference, 6th)
The Huskies have to replace the entire starting lineup That includes top scoring option Greg Hovey inside and their single season record holder for total 3s made Vance Sabers. It will be a very inexperienced roster with 9 seniors graduating and no juniors on last year's roster. Note: I write this assuming they'll have a team Its possible their scholastic team has been replaced by their prep school academy team run by Chris Carr.
Prairie Seeds Academy Lycans (2025-26 season 2-15, 0-8 Conference, 9th)
Charles Anderson and Reed Thanadabout return on the wings. Top offensive option Maceo Moua returns at the point guard spot for another season. Wing Jeremy Mannah is the biggest loss.
Twin Cities Academy/Great River Tigers (2025-26 season 14-12, 6-2 Conference, 3rd)
The Tigers return 3 starters but have to replace do everything forward Jake Stiele and his 28.4 PPG. Senior guard Jamarrion Atkins just missed double figures last season but could double that this year. Jahlil Martin and junior Randy Carter join him as returning starters. Germany Garcia, Jamie Tossey and Elijah Carter are also part of that perimeter rotation. Replacing the size of Prince Normil and King Normal inside is a big question for a very small lineup. Don't be shocked to see Atkins guard bigs on 1 end and play point guard on the other.
Trinity Tri-Hawks (2025-26 season 6-23, 1-15 Skyline Conference, 9th)
Trinity joins from the Skyline Conference and with a new coach. Max Bohrer takes over the program. Interesting that they dropped all the way to the EMAC rather than go back to their old home in the MCAA. 3 junior starters return. That includes forward Teagan Nammeh and lefty point guard Jacob Bowden who both averaged just over 10 PPG. Kenneth Kaluza, Benoit Gjengdahl and Jonathan Adbebe also return to the backcourt crew. Nammeh is poised for a breakout type of season as a raw big man who has developed quickly. Who backs him up is a question.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Hope Academy
- Hiawatha
- Twin Cities Academy
- Trinity
- Avail Academy
- Community of Peace Academy
- Prairie Seeds
- Cristo Rey Jesuit
- Hmong Academy
- Great Oaks
- ISM/Chesterton
- AFSA
- Groves
Conference Overview
Great Oaks moves up to varsity status and Trinity joins from the Skyline Conference. Expect another single round-robin schedule and don't be surprised if its not a full schedule. Hope with most everybody back is my favorite. Hiawatha loses a ton but they have enough talent back to make a run at the title again. I expect the Hope vs Hiawatha game to once again decide the league title. Twin Cities Academy and Trinity will battle for the next spot with Avail looking to jump in that group as well. Things drop off significantly from there. Community of Peace has the most back of the rest so I'll take them. Rest of the league has major losses and is rebuilding.
Conference MVP: Jordan Moss - Hope Academy
Underclassmen to watch:
- Jaylen Phipps, Centrell Green - Community of Peace
- Anthony Porter, Eli Belyeu-Sears - Cristo Rey
- Jonathan Adbebe - Trinity
- Hiawatha at Hope - Jan 11th
- Hiawatha at Maple Grove - December 8th
- Hope at Concordia - Jan 5th
- Heritage at Hope - Feb 26th
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