This is the 8th preview in my 2026-2027 season preview series. Now its time to look at the city leagues and St. Paul goes first. For a list of all the season previews and how they are generated, click here.
Central Minutemen (2025-26 season 25-4, 12-0 Conference, 1st)
After winning a school record 25 games, the Minutemen have to replace 11 seniors and their entire starting lineup. That includes league co-MVPs Eli Moseman (17.7 PPG) and Sefi Whittington. Once again they'll reload from their 1st place JV squad. A pair of juniors from that group will be this year's leaders. Guard Mack Phillips will lead the backcourt group and be the top offensive threat. Forward Tyler Mortellaro anchors the inside. Seniors Tristan Geraets and Dominick Parker will also see significant minutes.
Como Park Cougars (2025-26 season 7-20, 6-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Como Park has to replace 5 starters and their top 6 scorers. Juniors Marcel Bolden and Frankie Leary should be top options. Freshman Landon Williams-Newirk should also see plenty of minutes for a small lineup.
Harding Knights (2025-26 season 4-23, 0-12 Conference, 7th)
From a 1st state trip in forever to a school record 23 losses. That's the price of losing a big senior class. The Knights took their lumps and a large chunk of the roster. Junior guard Derek Green is the lone double figure scorer. Fellow juniors Demonte Gibson and Aiden Jordan join him as returnees to the wing rotation. Point guard Pierre Glass returns along with impossible to move big man Joe Myatt inside. Those 2 seniors will be the leaders. Sophs Jarell Fung-A-Fatt and Javaughn Moffett also saw plenty of time last season.
Highland Park Scots (2025-26 season 15-12, 6-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
The Scots look to make another jump in year 2 for coach Zach Towle. He has a nice inside duo to build around. Combo guard Leo Clifford (20 PPG) will be one of the best players in the league. Forward Izaiah Davis (13.9 PPG) looks to have another good year inside. They were the top 2 scorers last season. Cooper Johnson and senior Will Walter return on the wings. They'll miss the toughness of Romello Horton inside. Tartan transfer Kenny Brown could be an answer for that.
Humboldt Hawks (2025-26 season 16-11, 6-6 Conference, Tie 3rd)
Former Anoka assistant Cornelius Hollingsworth takes over after the best Humboldt season this century and since possibly their last league title in 1978. That was before the league consolidated into what is essentially the current structure. He needs to replace 3 of the top 4 scorers. Wing Jakar Rice (17.3 PPG) graduated and forward Taurean Williams (15.4 PPG) followed coach Sam Esboldt to South St. Paul. Senior guard Fadil Alabi (15.6 PPG) is a career 1000 point scorer. He'll lead the offense with wing Keith Whitlow. Luke Hobday and Calvin Hoenisch also return to the rotation.
Johnson Governors (2025-26 season 20-7, 10-2 Conference, 2nd)
The Govs have to replace their 2 top scorers in athletic wing Jermaine Curtis-Thomas (13 PPG) and center Kenny Turner (12.6 PPG). Plenty of firepower and experience return though. Colin Moore Jr (10.8 PPG) runs the show at the point and is the top returning scorer. He leads a deep guard lineup that also includes Guarino Kamp, AJ Howard and Kaiden Elphage. David Addai and Elijah Benepe will be the interior rotation. Addai is coming off a productive summer for Hoop Habits Elite.
Washington Eagles (2025-26 season 9-17, 2-10 Conference, 6th)
Senior forward Noah Rieger (17.7 PPG) is the top returning scorer. He's the top forward for the front line strength of this roster. Lesean Andrewin also averaged double figures inside with 11 PPG. Junior Jonathon Gibson is the top returning guard. The rest of the backcourt crew will be very inexperienced.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Johnson
- Highland Park
- Central
- Harding
- Como Park
- Humboldt
- Washington
Conference Overview:
Can Highland Park break the lock that Central and Johnson have had on the Twin Cities Game? I think they're neck and neck with Johnson for the top spot. Johnson slightly deeper and the tradition gives them the nod. The Scots lost by 1 to Johnson at home last year but got smacked by 47 in the road game. Central will just reload and be the best of the rest. Then it drops off to the bottom 4. In a league full of guards, being weakest at guard puts Washington at the bottom. Harding with everything they have coming back should move up but they were winless in league play last year. Como Park and Humboldt have a ton to replace.
Conference MVP: Leo Clifford - Highland Park
Underclassmen to watch:
- Landon Williams-Newirk - Como Park
- Jarell Fung-A-Fatt, Javaughn Moffett - Harding
- Charlie Egbert - Highland Park
- Jamir White - Humboldt
- Highland Park at Johnson - Jan 22nd
- Johnson at Highland Park - Feb 17th
- Twin Cities Game - Mar 6th (Minneapolis Champion)
- Johnson vs Hibbing - Dec 12th (Southside Showcase at Benilde-St. Margaret's)
- Johnson vs Richfield - Dec 29th (Capital City Classic)
- Highland Park vs Maranatha - Jan 18th (MLK Showcase at Johnson)
- Minnehaha at Johnson - Feb 23rd
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