2026-27 MCAA Preview

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This is the 4th preview in my 2026-27 season preview series.  We continue the conference previews with a look at the Minnesota Classic Athletic Association (MCAA).  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Christ's Household of Faith Lions (2025-26 season 10-14, 3-6 Conference, Tie 4th South)
The Lions will not field a varsity roster this season.

Eagle Ridge Academy Gryphons (2025-26 season 10-18, 2-8 Conference, 6th South)
Eagle Ridge has a new head  coach in former SW Christian assistant Issac Williams.  He has to replace 4 starters including forwards Chris Asuma and Hamza Said.  In the backcourt, guard Braxton Ray needs to be replaced.  Juniors Noah Woodlee and Demetric Wleh look to be top offensive options along with senior Sam Crowley.  

Heritage Christian Academy Eagles (2025-26 season 21-8, 6-4 Conference, Tie 2nd North)
Coach Tim Herman took a totally rebuilt roster to the section final last season.  This season he returns 3 major pieces who are all seniors.  Forward Aaron Palmer missed most of the season before returning late. He'll be one of the top forwards in the league.  Logan Comfort (10.5 PPG) and Isaiah Coyle (13.3 PPG) return as double figure scorers who can play inside or out.  Juniors Max Voelker, Judah Ormiston and Eli Olk provide quality depth.  That should offset the loss of wing Jesper Synstelien and guard Griffin Booms who combined for almost 25 PPG last season

Lakes International Language Academy Dragons (2025-26 season 9-19, 2-7 Conference, 5th North)
Junior PG Jackson Dowd (20.5 PPG) is a triple double threat on any night and will be one of the top scorers in the league.  3 other juniors return to the starting lineup with him.  Guards Blayne Pledeman and Brevick Gunderson join Dowd in the backcourt.  Pledeman gives the Dragons another shooter.  Malaki Dorschner returns to the front line.  Rest of the roster is underclassmen as the Dragons had no juniors last year.  Sophs Jagger Dowd and frosh Aksel Gunderson round out the top 5 returning scorers at the guard spots

Liberty Classical Academy Lions (2025-26 season 29-3, 10-0 Conference, 1st North)
Liberty has to replace almost 50 PPG from league MVP Sam Rupnow and Ethan Richter on the wings.  But the cupboard isn't bare for coach John Towle.  Point guard Cruz Triana (13.7 PPG) and athletic forward Jimmy Youtsey (11.5 PPG) are top options.  William Gilbert provides another front court option.  Caleb Schmidt is a returning wing starter.

Math and Science Academy Dragons (2025-26 season 9-17, 3-6 Conference, Tie 4th South)
The Dragons open their new facility this season.  Its right next door to East Ridge.  The perimeter duo of junior Elisse Voumadi  (17.2 PPG) and senior Jacob Balami (14.7 PPG) returns and is one of the best combos in the league. What the rest of the roster can do to help them is a major concern.  Juniors Hao Tan and Nathan Bekele provide rotation experience.  Beyond that there's very limited experience.

Mayer Lutheran Crusaders (2025-26 Season 19-9, 9-1 Conference, 1st South)
The Crusaders look to expand on last year's division title with their entire rotation coming back.  Guard Ben Lindesmith and wing Carter Neitzel lead the returning starters.  Both are solid 3 point shooters.  Wyatt Sunde is a quality forward who can play inside or out.  3 sophomores also return to the rotation with them.  

North Lakes Academy Huskies (2025-26 season 6-22, 0-10 Conference, 6th North)
North Lakes has to replace 3 starters including double figure scorer Levi Molitor and his 11.9 PPG.  The lineup has no size.  Mason Owen and sophomore Owen Culp will be undersized forwards.  The top 3 returning scorers are guards Camilo Ironshell (11.8 PPG) and junior Micah Molitor. Sophomore Dimitry Morgan will see time on the wing.

Nova Classical Academy Knights (2025-26 season 8-19, 2-14 Skyline Conference, 8th)
Nova Classical moves into the MCAA from the Skyline.  The starting lineup loses leading scorer Caleb Taylor (14.9 PPG) and wing Kincaid Gerber.  Senior wing Abe Brady (10.1 PPG) will be this season's top offensive option.  Caleb Swecker is a developing lanky forward.  Will Shephard is undersized as another member of the inside rotation.  Senior Finn Penniman is a returning starter in the backcourt.  Junior Owen Lohse joins that perimeter crew along with Hazen Hintz.

PACT Charter Panthers (2025-26 season 19-8, 6-4 Conference, Tie 2nd North)
2018 alum Bennett Allan takes over the Panthers program.  Leading scorer Fred Onyinkwa (17.1 PPG) is now at Anoka.  Jayden Busch and his 13.2 PPG graduated.  That leaves major holes inside and at point guard.  Caleb Engelhart (13.6 PPG) and junior forward Lucas Novitsky (7.7 PPG) look to pick up that slack.  Junior guard Jacob Johnson looks to have a bigger role.  Seniors Jeremiah Maangi and Colten Podlasek return to the rotation.

Spectrum Sting (2025-26 season 17-11, 5-4 Conference, 4th North)
Spectrum returns 3 starters.  Wing Cody Benson (23.8 PPG) is one of the league's top scorers.  Expect him to get even more chances with guard Eli Miller's 20 PPG graduating.  Julian Peterson returns on a wing with Teddy Huberty inside.  Junior Hayden Christianson is another option in the interior rotation.  Gavin Oblinger, Aiden Velsor and Tanner Meneley are other options in the guard rotation.

United Christian Academy Thunder (2025-26 season 16-12, 7-3 Conference, 2nd South)
The Thunder have 3 returning starters to build around.  Senior forward Simon Charlton (11.5 PPG) was a revelation as he was a productive big man.  He'll be one of the top big men in the league this season.  There's plenty of guard experience returning despite the graduation of leading scorer Sam Rich (16.1 PPG).  Juniors Evan Grover (10.5 PPG) and Thomas Serafin (6.5 PPG) return to the starting lineup in the backcourt.  Fellow juniors Colin Gryskiewicz and Andrew Rich should see expanded roles.

West Lutheran Warriors (2025-26 season 14-13, 5-5 Conference, 3rd South)
The Warriors have 4 senior starters coming back.  Guards Connor Rouen and Hayden Kiecker lead the offense.  Brenner Cahow returns at the point guard spot.  Bennett DeRosier returns to lead the interior play.  Beyond them depth and size are questions.

Predicted Order of Finish

  1. Mayer Lutheran 
  2. Heritage Christian 
  3. Liberty Classical  
  4. Spectrum   
  5. United Christian
  6. West Lutheran
  7. PACT 
  8. Math & Science 
  9. Nova Classical
  10. Eagle Ridge  
  11. Lakes International 
  12. North Lakes

    Note: CHOF has no varsity roster this season

Conference Overview
Nova Classical moves from the Skyline to the MCAA this season.  That leads to a schedule change where the league will now play just a single round-robin schedule rather than having 2 divisions.  I like Mayer Lutheran with the deepest roster in the league.  They've got guard play, size, scoring, experience and depth.  After last season, I can't discount Heritage here.  They're deeper than people think and I see another 20 win season.  Liberty loses a ton but I don't expect much drop off there as I think coach John Towle will plug guys in.  Spectrum has one of the top players in the league in Cody Benson so they can't be discounted.  United Christian had a nice run last season and could jump into that top group.  West Lutheran also has a lot coming back and will look to make a run there as well.  Then you have the bottom half of the league.  PACT with 2 major pieces gone and a new coach.  Math & Science has 2 talented guards but limited help for them has shown up in the results.  They're a wild card that could jump higher.  Nova lost their top scorer for the 2nd straight season so they'll have to find offense.  Rest of the league is building for the future.  There will be many nights of good guard matchups to watch during league play.

Conference MVP: Cody Benson - Spectrum

Underclassmen to watch: 

  • Vincent Evans, Dylan Sunde, Chase Zupke - Mayer Lutheran
  • Owen Culp, Dimitry Morgan - North Lakes
  • Camdan Bawek - United Christian 
  • Per Madson, Cody Oppitz - West Lutheran 
Conference Games to Watch
  • Heritage at Liberty Classical - Jan 5th 
  • Mayer Lutheran at Liberty Classical - Jan 15th 
  • Heritage at Mayer Lutheran - Jan 26th 
Non-Conference Games to Watch
  • Liberty Classical vs Madelia -  Dec 12th (Tipoff Classic at SW Christian)
  • Liberty Classical vs Lanesboro - Jan 9th (Southern MN Hoopfest at Goodhue)
  • SW Christian at Mayer Lutheran - Jan 21st
  • St. Paul Highland Park at Heritage - Feb 9th
  • Heritage at Hope Academy -  Feb 26th 
Posted by Twin Cities Hoops Czar on 10/29/2026 09:51:00 AM

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