This is the 11th preview in my 2026-27 season preview series. Week 3 moves on with a look at the Mississippi 8. For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.
Becker Bulldogs (2025-26 season 22-7, 15-1 Conference, Tie 1st)
Becker needs to replace 4 starters including 3 double figure scorers from their lineup. That's 50 PPG from their top wing, top forward and point guard. Guard Isiah Boyer (16 PPG) should have a big season as no other returnee averaged more than 2 PPG. The league champion JV squad will be relied on heavily to fill out the rest of the rotation. Junior Carson Klimmek and sophs Owen Westin and Tucker Becker look to fill the perimeter rotation. Evan Heesen, Adam Wipper and Vincent Blomquist will be options to fill forward spots.
Big Lake Hornets (2025-26 season 15-13, 9-7 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The Hornets were a pleasant surprise last season. Now 4 starters have to be replaced. Junior Judd Layton leads the returnees. Edward Reinert and Leroy Hamrin will also be top offensive options. This is a group that will use their guard play to play fast. They led the league in scoring at 79.2 PPG but also gave up 81.7 PPG.
Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets (2025-26 season 9-18, 7-9 Conference, Tie 5th)
Coach Mike McDonald returns everybody from last year. He has a bevy of shooters at his disposal including Jameson Epple (16.1 PPG) and soph Trey Gustafson (10.4 PPG). Point guard Peyton Coplan (12 PPG) and wing Jack Roberts (11 PPG) are also double figure scorers returning to the lineup. Lane Nelson and Cruiz Dissing will be main size guys. They'll be plenty deep being able to play 8 or 9 guys at minimum.
Chisago Lakes Wildcats (2025-26 season 12-16, 7-9 Conference, Tie 5th)
After a nice bounce back season, the Wildcats have to replace 4 starters and their 5 top scorers. Nobody returning averaged more than 3.5 PPG. Junior guard Luke Leadholm is the lone starter back. Will Pearson, Logan Senske and Bennett Senske give them experienced options inside. Emmett Lawrence, Hudson Giselle and Crosby Underhill look to fill in the gaps left in the perimeter rotation.
Monticello Magic (2025-26 season 22-6, 15-1 Conference, Tie 1st)
Wing Rhys Nebben (14.6 PPG) is the 1 starter that is lost. Wing Carson Deibele (20.6 PPG) and forward Hunter Miller (13.8 PPG) are the top 1-2 punch in the league. You also have the return of starting guards Tyler Disch and Johnny Moore. Alex Deah joins them in the guard rotation. That gives the Magic plenty in a run for a 3rd straight league title. Depth is a question mark.
North Branch Vikings (2025-26 season 2-25, 0-16 Conference, 9th)
On the bright side, the Vikings don't have a new head coach after replacing their head guy the last 3 years. Now they lose 5 seniors from a team that went winless in league play. Juniors Dhaylen Bachrodt and Henry Christensen return to the rotation at guard and forward spots. Senior Brandon Giese will be another top option.
Princeton Tigers (2025-26 season 13-14, 7-9 Conference, Tie 5th)
Star wing Noah Stencel (18 PPG) and 2 other starters need to be replaced. Guard Matthew Hallberg (8.9 PPG) and forward Brody Strandberg are juniors returning to the starting lineup. Senior guard Michael Kincaid is the top returning scorer at 11.3 PPG. Drew Julson is another guard that returns to the rotation.
St. Francis Saints (2025-26 season 7-20, 3-13 Conference, 8th)
Senior wing Hunter Olson (15 PPG) saw his scoring average make a big jump last year. I could see that happening again. Soph wing David Voss will also be a top threat on offense. Colton Burman and Jayden Krueger are best options up front. Seniors Rylun Barlow and Kyle Swanson provide experience.
Zimmerman Thunder (2025-26 season 14-12, 9-7 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Star wing Thomas McEachern graduates but 4 other senior starters return. Point guard Joseph Larson and forward Jameson Smuda lead the way. Lucas Lemke returns at a guard spot and Lane Johnson rounds out the starting group at forward. Wings Rian Schmidt and Eli Gardas will also see rotation minutes. Chase Lemke is another guard option.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Monticello
- Cambridge-Isanti
- Becker
- Zimmerman
- Princeton
- Big Lake
- Chisago Lakes
- St. Francis
- North Branch
Conference Overview
Monticello is my pick here until beaten. Cambridge-Isanti jumps over the teams that lost plenty and contends. Becker has a top guy back and young talent to stay near the top. Zimmerman will fight them for that 3rd spot with plenty coming back. Then a drop to the bottom half. Princeton and Big Lake battle for the middle spot. Can St. Francis move up to pass Chisago Lakes who lose major pieces? North Branch continues their rebuild.
Conference MVP: Carson Deibele - Monticello
Underclassmen to watch:
- Owen Westin, Tucker Becker - Becker
- Trey Gustafson - Cambridge-Isanti
- Eddie Nett - Monticello
- Owen Schmatz, Liam Flander - Princeton
- David Voss - St. Francis
- Monticello at Cambridge-Isanti - Jan 12th
- Cambridge-Isanti at Monticello - Feb 12th
- Buffalo at Monticello - Dec 4th
- Cambridge-Isanti at Buffalo - Dec 8th
- Cambridge-Isanti at Duluth East - Feb 2nd
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