Central Lakes Conference Preview

Last year was a two-horse race at the top of the Central Lakes Conference, with St. Cloud Tech winning the conference with a 14-2 record in conference play, edging Fergus Falls, who finished 13-3. The middle of the conference was also tight, with Alexandria, ROCORI, Brainerd, Sartell, and Sauk Rapids-Rice all finishing with conference records ranging from 7-9 to 10-6. The conference was rounded out with Willmar and St. Cloud Apollo each snatching 3 games in conference action. The top teams from a year ago lost some talented players, but also bring back some star-power from a year ago, while a number of the squads stuck in the middle are looking to build on last year. It should be another action-packed season in the Central Lakes Conference this year. Conference Commentary Favorite: St. Cloud Tech While they lost All-Conference big man, Trevor Koenig, from last year’s squad, they return the prohibitive favorite for Player of the Year, 6’7” senior Brevyn Spann-Ford. The Gopher football commit was a stat line stuffer a season ago, averaging 13.9 PPG, 7.4 REB, 2.5 STL, 4.5 assists. In addition, they bring back senior point guard Camden Jackson (16.8 PPG, 4.0 REB, 2.3 STL), defensive standout James Kaczor (NDSU football commit), as well as Kail Lindgren (Valley City State hoops commit). They also add Trent Meyer, who was an All-Conference performer for Sartell last season.   Contenders: Fergus Falls, Sauk Rapids-Rice, Brainerd, Alexandria While St. Cloud Tech is the favorite, it won’t be an easy task, as the next four teams all have a legitimate shot at contending if everything falls into place for them. Fergus Falls lost two key pieces in Matthew Monke and Elijah Colbeck, however, they return two All-Conference players from last season in Nathan Rund (12.4 PPG, 3 REB, 4 assists) and Harrison Christensen. Along with other returning players, Matthew Johnson and Austin Stanislawski, the Otters should once again challenge for the top spot. Sauk Rapids-Rice boasts the tandem that might cause the most matchup problems, with 6’6” senior Cody Landwehr (Bemidji State commit) and 6’5” senior Deng Deang. If these two perform to the levels they are capable of, and they get some additional help, this could be a team to watch. Brainerd lost a pair of All-Conference players in 1,000+ point-scorer, Michael Russell, and big-man Michael Bieganek, but they return 10 other players that played significant minutes a season ago. Leading that group are seniors Chris Karels (9 PPG, 4 REB, 2 STL) and Brandon Burggraff (8 PPG, 6 REB), and junior Joey Sauer (10 PPG, 5 REB, 3 STL). The emergence of senior big man Taylor Shelito (8 PPG, 2 REB) will be a key for this squad, along with the development of sophomore Ben Staehling (41% from 3). The Warriors look to be one of the deepest teams in the league, which could cause problems for opponents this season. Alexandria also lost two All-Conference performers from last season, Jaran Roste and Spencer Hockert. They do bring back Northern State commit, 6’10” senior Justin Balcome (11 PPG, 5.5 REB) and their point guard from a season ago, junior Trey Hoepner. The key to the season for the Cardinals will be the development of 7 or so newcomers.   The Rest: ROCORI, Willmar, Sartell-St. Stephen, St. Cloud Apollo The group of teams in this section are all looking for a break-out performance or a few complimentary pieces to a proven player in order to vault them into the upper echelon of the conference. ROCORI lost in the Section 5AAA Finals last season to Big Lake, but they also lost All-Conference players in Derek Thompson and Connor Schoborg. The key returner for ROCORI this season is 6’3” senior Sam Olson. He averaged 15 PPG a season ago and is looking to have a strong season. How a crew of newcomers can develop and gel will determine if ROCORI can remain in the top rung of the conference this season. The Willmar Cardinals were bit by the injury bug last season, which forced a number of underclassmen into more significant minutes. That could prove to be a benefit this season, as they search for pieces to go along with senior guard Noah Slagter (21.9 PPG, 7.2 REB). Sartell lost two All-Conference players from last season in Trent Meyer and Eric Markman. They will have some size limitations this season, but coach Marcus Oistad expects this group to be tenacious and disciplined, showing up to compete every game. They will be led by junior Thomas Gieske (6.7 PPG) and senior Jordan Och (3.3 PPG). With first-year head coach, Jason Allen, St. Cloud Apollo is looking to rebuild the program. They will look to do it around senior guard Phillip Dromgoole and his 11 PPG from a season ago. Under a new staff, it will be interesting to see the transformation with this team and program.   Conference Predictions:

1. St. Cloud Tech
2. Fergus Falls
3. Brainerd
4. Sauk Rapids-Rice
5. Alexandria
6. ROCORI
7. Willmar
8. Sartell-St. Stephen
9. Cloud Apollo

  Preseason All-Central Lakes Conference First Team: Nathan Rund – Fergus Falls – Sr. Noah Slagter – Willmar – Sr. Brevyn Spann-Ford – St. Cloud Tech – Sr. Cody Landwehr – Sauk Rapids-Rice – Sr. Justin Balcome – Alexandria – Sr.   Second Team: Camden Jackson – St. Cloud Tech – Sr. Harrison Christensen – Fergus Falls – Sr. Sam Olson – ROCORI – Sr. Deng Deang – Sauk Rapids-Rice – Sr. Taylor Shelito – Brainerd – Sr.   Honorable Mention: Chris Karels – Brainerd – Sr. Phillip Dromgoole – St. Cloud Apollo – Sr. Trent Meyer – St. Cloud Tech – Sr. Thomas Gieske – Sartell – Jr. Joey Sauer – Brainerd – Jr. Trey Hoepner – Alexandria – Jr. Kail Lindgren – St. Cloud Tech – Sr. Matthew Johnson – Fergus Falls – Jr.