The 2021-22 Basketball Season – Class A First Glance
In this article:
We continue looking at next season with a First Glance at Class A for the 2021-22 year. Today we will run through the 2020-21 final top ten rankings and look at each squad’s returning talent. This is NOT and I…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe continue looking at next season with a First Glance at Class A for the 2021-22 year.
Today we will run through the 2020-21 final top ten rankings and look at each squad’s returning talent. This is NOT and I REPEAT, this IS NOT A PRESEASON RANKING. This is the final ranking we used for LAST YEAR. NOT NEXT YEAR. The rankings below are what we finished up for LAST YEAR. The only reason I used it below was to talk about the final top ten and then next week we will go through another top ten. I REPEAT. This is NOT a preseason ranking for next year.
I’m pretty sure I have no made that even clearer but I am sure there will be more DMs and emails wondering why a team isn’t higher. Yes I know it’s amazing but it keeps happening.
(1) Hayfield
Starters Returning: Easton Fritcher, Isaac Matti Isaac Matti 6'1" | SG Hayfield | 2023 State MN , Ethan Pack, Kobe Foster (4)
Reserves Returning: Karver Heydt
Up and Coming Name: 2024 guard Zander Jacobson
Final Say: The Vikings lost their star but they return much of their starting five. They will enter next year a contender to their title.
(2) Hancock
Starters Returning: Matt Thompson Matt Thompson 6'7" | C Hancock | 2022 State MN (1)
Reserves Returning: Sebastian Felix, Luke Joos, Jackson Koehl
Up and Coming Name: 2025 Chase Evink
Final Say: Hancock will likely be a top ten squad again next season with their best player returning (Thompson) and a number of good reserves. With four starters gone it’s tough to call them a contender but if the chemistry is there maybe. Thompson will be one of the most unstoppable forces in Class A.
(3) Nevis
Starters Returning: Mathias Warrington, Eddie Kramer Eddie Kramer 6'4" | SF Nevis | 2022 State MN , Cain Mitchell (3)
Reserves Returning: Joe Houchin, John Paul Benson, Tyler Lindow
Up and Coming Name: 2024 wing Austin Ahrendt
Final Say: Nevis will be a top ten squad and a contender for a long time to come. Kramer will be a top Class A player next year, there are a few other starters returning, and three of the seven names mentioned above are freshmen.
(4) Sleepy Eye Saint Mary’s
Starters Returning: Kaleb Wait, Trennt Steffensmeier, Carson Domeier Carson Domeier 6'4" | SF Sleepy Eye St. Mary's | 2022 State MN (3)
Reserves Returning: Will Walter, Owen Weiss
Up and Coming Name: 2024 Mark Anderson
Final Say: The Knights have their best three players back from a final four team in state. They will certainly be a contender next season. Likely a top three team and they have a quality coach leading the way.
(5) Badger/Greenbush-Middle River
Starters Returning: Zach Blawat, Kobey Dallager (2)
Reserves Returning: Aven Augustson, Jaden Kostrzewski
Up and Coming Name: 2026 Averil Augustson
Final Say: With two of the top three scorers returning a program that is usually strong BGMR will be in the thick of things again. There are a few holes to replace but Blawat and Dallager have the talent to step into a bigger producing role.
(6) Deer River
Starters Returning: Sam Rahier Sam Rahier 5'10" | PG Deer River | 2023 State MN , Mikhail Wakonabo Mikhail Wakonabo 6'4" | SF Deer River | 2022 State MN , Ty Morrison Ty Morrison 6'4" | SF Deer River | 2022 State MN , Tait Kongsjord (4)
Reserves Returning: Ethan Williams, Rhett Mundy, Colton Hemphill
Up and Coming Name: 2024 Thomas White
Final Say: Deer River only losses one player from their program and the starters returning are very talented. I have high expectations for this team next year, title contending expectations for sure. Morrison is a Class A All State level player.
(7) Mahnomen/Waubun
Starters Returning: Loden Clark, Rolando Ellis, Tanner Pazdernik, Dennis Ashley (4)
Reserves Returning: Sam Zima, Neegonee Burnett
Up and Coming Name: Houston Short
Final Say: Only two players graduate from a balanced team. The Thunderbirds have been a top Class A team since the merger and that will continue into next season. They will certainly remain a state contender next year.
(8) Ashby
Starters Returning: Jacob Cook, Torin Olson, Hunter Norby Hunter Norby 6'3" | SF Ashby | 2022 MN (3)
Reserves Returning: Carson Spangler
Up and Coming Name: Not Sure
Final Say: Three starters back. Jaden Norby Jaden Norby 6'5" | SF Ashby | 2021 State MN is a blow but Cook, Olson, and Hunter Norby Hunter Norby 6'3" | SF Ashby | 2022 MN are very good players themselves that are versatile and have been producing at a high level for two years already. . Likely a top ten squad again.
(9) Legacy Christian
Starters Returning: None.
Reserves Returning: Micah Strand, Charlie Bovee
Up and Coming Name: 2025 Evan Bovee
Final Say: Not only does Legacy Christian lost their five starters, they lose eight of their top ten guys. Some good young players are coming up but the seniors left an impact on the program. The Lions also had several players in their rotation competing with a mask exemption so whatever the health condition is I wish them the best of luck with their health.
(10) Nashwauk-Keewatin
Starters Returning: Gaige Waldvogel (1)
Reserves Returning: Not sure
Up and Coming Name: Not sure
Final Say: This was a senior dominated team with a really good frontline (Lorenz brothers) and I believe four of the five starters were seniors. There is no roster that I could find anyplace to check on these guys (not with numbers anyway) so I had to go off memory. They will likely take a small dip with the four starters gone and little size coming back.