2026-27 Skyline Conference Preview

This is the 5th preview in my 2026-27 season preview series.  Week 1 concludes with a look at the Skyline Conference.  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Concordia Academy Beacons (2025-26 season 17-12, 11-5 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Concordia went with a younger roster last season and that should pay off for the Beacons in 2026-27.  The top 6 rotation guys return including 3 double figures scorers.  Senior guards Langston Huffman (22.3 PPG), Logan Duis (14.7 PPG) and Dejon Scott (14.4 PPG) lead the offense.  Junior PG Jake Smith runs the show as a pass first point guard.  Junior forward Zeid Ndiaye (7 PPG) is a high upside guy with senior Judah Shepp (8.7 PPG) on the front line.

Legacy Christian Academy Lions (2025-26 season 17-11, 11-5 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The Lions have to replace all 3 double figure scorers and 4 of their top 5.  Forward Max Leifker (20.6 PPG) graduated along with guards Ty Nelson, Hudson Strand and Josh Held.  That's 62 PPG a game that needs to be replaced.  The scoring should be replaced by senior Braylon Ylkanen (7.1 PPG) and soph Silas Kardell (5.9 PPG).  Junior Henry Canfield (12.7 PPG) transferring across the league from St. Croix Prep will add a big boost to the offense.  Seniors Dallas Berry and Matthew Mulvihill will see plenty of time at guard spots as well.  The replacement for Leifker's size is a major question mark

Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs (2025-26 season 25-4, 16-0 Conference, 1st)
Maranatha swept the league last year and looks to do the same this season.  Marcus Marshall has returned to Minneapolis North but transfer Lincoln Busse should step right into replace the 21.3 PPG lost.  Busse averaged 26.3 PPG at Glencoe-Silver Lake last season.  He's part of a deep guard rotation that will also include Ira Thomas (11.3 PPG), Chris Daniels (7.4 PPG) and soph Timmy Thomas (7.2 PPG).  Junior forward Erik Bakke  (4.5 PPG) is a breakout candidate inside with the graduation of Teni  Phillips (12.5 PPG).  Who backs him up will be a question mark. Senior Noah Schirmers is one of those options.

New Life Academy Eagles (2025-26 season 14-14, 5-11 Conference, 6th)
New Life returns their top 2 double figure scorers.  Lefty John Norring (15.1 PPG) and shooter Evan Seaton (17.9 PPG) aren't big but the seniors can both score it.  Soph Collin Michaelis joins them as a top offensive option.  Senior forward James Hudson (6.9 PPG) is the top interior guy returning.  Seniors Dylan Wall and Jayden DeBoer also return to the rotation.

St. Agnes Aggies (2025-26 season 9-18, 4-12 Conference, 7th)
The Aggies once again have a new head coach as Ian Mahler takes over the program.  He stays in the league and along Dale St as he was previously on the Concordia staff.  The roster is mostly intact after losing just 1 senior.  Senior guards Benett Davis and Thomas Plasch both averaged double figures last season.  Sam Ekholm and Declan Cudd are the returning forwards.  Its a small and not terribly athletic roster but they are experienced.

St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders (2025-26 season 19-10, 14-2 Conference, 2nd)
The Crusaders were a major surprise last year after losing their top 6 players but then they swept everybody in the league except Maranatha.  Can they do it again having to replace 4 starters and 8 of the top 9?  Senior guard Noah Little is the lone returnee after leading the team in scoring last season at 13.7 PPG.  Cameron Oakland looks to be the main interior threat.  Evan Fry, Grady Peterson and Filippo Depaoli look to be next up to fill out the rotation.

St. Croix Prep Lions (2025-26 season 16-12, 8-8 Conference, 5th)
Former Spring Lake Park assistant Karl Haynus takes over the program.  He has to replace top interior threat Logan Eiselt (13.3 PPG) and Henry Canfield.  Senior wing Ali Akram (15.2 PPG) will have to carry a big load on offense.  Senior Patrick McGurran joins them as a returning starter.  Junior guards Graham Beckmann and Owen Schrader should provide the perimeter depth.  Junior Bennett Eiselt looks to be the main replacement for the interior production.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Maranatha  
2. Concordia  
3. Legacy  
4. St. Croix Prep  
5. St. Croix Lutheran      
6. New Life   
7. St. Agnes 
   

Conference Overview
Its a year of change in the Skyline with Nova Classical and Trinity departing for smaller leagues and a chance to be more competitive.  That's just a year after Cristo Rey did the same.  Maranatha enters the season with a 21 game league winning streak and I see that extending.  Along with Concordia, that is the clear top tier of the league.  The middle is jumbled.  St. Croix Lutheran and Legacy have a ton to replace but they do tend to plug guys in to their system very well.  St. Croix Prep also has a couple major holes to fill.  New Life has enough returning to contend with those teams for the top half.  St. Agnes with a new coach and system looks ahead to the future.

Conference MVP: Lincoln Busse - Maranatha

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Silas Kardell - Legacy 
• Timmy Thomas - Maranatha
• Collin Michaelis - New Life 
• Cannon Chapman - St. Croix Prep 

Conference Games to Watch

• Maranatha at Concordia - Dec 18th
• Concordia at Maranatha - Feb 2nd

Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Concordia at SW Christian - Dec 12 (Tipoff Classic)
• Hope Academy at Concordia - Jan 5th  
• Hopkins at Maranatha - Jan 6th 
• Concordia at Goodhue -  Jan 9th
• Maranatha vs St. Paul Highland Park - Jan 18th (MLK at St. Paul Johnson) 
• Holy Family at Concordia - Jan 19th
• Maranatha at Minneapolis North - Feb 16th 
• St. Paul Highland Park at Concordia - Feb 26th