The Minnesota River Preview

<p>Jordan was 14 for 14 in the Minnesota River last year extending their run to 36 league wins in 38 games the last three seasons.  Will the Hubmen still own the River?</p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p><strong>State Contender: </strong>Jordan, Mayer Lutheran</p> <p>Jordan will enter the season in the top ten of Class AA while Mayer Lutheran will be a top three level squad in Class A basketball.  Head to head Jordan beat Mayer Lutheran by a combined 16 points in the two games they played a year ago and they both graduated about the same amount of experienced starters.  Jordan has to deal with Waseca in their section so they are up against it, but Mayer Lutheran is in Section 2A which usually has half the top ten Class A teams so they won't be shedding a tear for Jordan. </p> <p><strong>Potential Top Ten:</strong>  No Others</p> <p><strong>Compete with Most</strong>: Le Sueur-Henderson, Sibley East, Belle Plaine, NYA</p> <p>Le Sueur-Henderson returns two starters including a 17 point per game scorer so they will be competitive but losing four of their top six players to graduation means there are holes to fill.  Belle Plaine was 13-14 with a strong junior group leading the way.  Could they win 20 games this year?  It's possible as they have three solid scoring options. Sibley East has two of their top three players back meaning they aren't rebuilding but last year was tough.  Norwood Young America will take a step forward.  They have almost a full rotation returning meaning they should win double figure games.</p> <p><strong>Rebuilding:</strong> Southwest Christian, Tri City United</p> <p>The Stars lost their top four scorers which happen to also be four key starters for their team.  They have one key piece back in Sandness but little else with experience.  TCU won a single game last season and the only player on their team last year capable of scoring more than three times a game has graduated. </p> <p><strong>19-20 Conference Predictions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Jordan</li> <li>Mayer Lutheran</li> <li>Belle Plaine</li> <li>Le Sueur-Henderson</li> <li>Norwood Young America</li> <li>Sibley East</li> <li>Southwest Christian</li> <li>Try City United</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Minnesota River Conference </strong></p> <p><strong><u>First Team</u></strong></p> <p>Ryan Samuelson of Jordan (Sr)</p> <p>Sean Buchanan of Mayer Lutheran (Sr)</p> <p>Teigan Martin of Mayer Lutheran (Soph)</p> <p>Reagan Koch of Jordan (Jr)</p> <p>Josh Gregory of Belle Plaine (Sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Second Team</u></strong></p> <p>Dominic Drent of Le Sueur-Henderson (Jr)</p> <p>Alexander Flucas of Mayer Lutheran (Sr)</p> <p>Jacob Pallas of Mayer Lutheran (Sr) </p> <p>Dylan Kahle of Belle Plaine (Sr)</p> <p>Dominick Sudheimer of Norwood-Young America (Sr) </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Third Team</u></strong></p> <p>Lucas Dose of Sibley East (Sr)</p> <p>Bryce Sievers of Jordan (Sr)</p> <p>Tyson Sandness of Southwest Christian (Jr)</p> <p>Noah Schumacher of Belle Plaine (Sr)</p> <p>Jerid Fahey of Norwood Young America (Sr)</p> <p>Nolan Maczkowicz of Le Sueur-Henderson (Sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>