The Minnesota River Preview

<p>The Minnesota River is still a seven team league although with a new team, the Lester Prairie Bulldogs. Mayer Lutheran enters the season as the River favorite!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p><strong>Top Ten</strong>: Mayer Lutheran</p> <p>With all of their pieces back for the season Mayer Lutheran is expected to be a state title contender in Class A and a heavy favorite to win the Minnesota River Conference.  They were 15-4 last season and return five starters so big things are expected. </p> <p><strong>Top Ten Potential:  </strong>Lester Prairie</p> <p>The Bulldogs move over from the MCAA and their ridiculous travel schedule to the more locally friendly Minnesota River Conference.  The Bulldogs will be smaller than most schools but talent wise they will be a contender in the league and if things break right, maybe a top ten Class A team.  They have three starters back.</p> <p><strong>Compete with Most</strong>: Belle Plaine, Tri City United, Norwood Young America</p> <p>Belle Plaine lost their top guy but return two all league players as well as a number of seniors that should help this team improve on last season’s 10-7 record.  Tri City United had a terrible time scoring last year which is why they went 5-9 but they return all their starters and most of their rotation so they should be better (around .500 for sure). NYA was 6-13 last year and also had trouble scoring.  They lost their best player but should be a better all around this year </p> <p><strong>Rebuilding</strong>:  Le Sueur-Henderson, Sibley East</p> <p>The Giants lost three starters from a three win team.  They do have two capable double figure scoring options returning but they need to replace pieces and do it in a way that might take some time to improve on their record. Not only did Sibley East finish in last last season, they also lost their best players to graduation.  They are certainly starting over. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>21-22 Conference Predictions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Mayer Lutheran</li> <li>Lester Prairie</li> <li>Belle Plaine</li> <li>Tri-City United</li> <li>Norwood Young America</li> <li>Le Sueur-Henderson</li> <li>Sibley East</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Minnesota River Conference</strong></p> <p><strong><u>First Team</u></strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="850739" first="Teigan" last="Martin"] of Mayer Lutheran (sr)</p> <p>Ty Hoese of Mayer Lutheran (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958838" first="Jack" last="Behning"] of Lester Prairie (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958818" first="Jack" last="Kruger"] of Belle Plaine (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1284218" first="Trever" last="Schauer"] of Lester Prairie (so)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Second Team</u></strong></p> <p>Fakourou Tandia of Tri City United (sr)</p> <p>Elijah Jopp of Mayer Lutheran (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958820" first="Tyler" last="Neitzel"] of Mayer Lutheran (sr)</p> <p>Karim Tolbert of Belle Plaine (sr)</p> <p>Adam Henze of Tri City United (sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Third Team</u></strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1225639" first="Noah" last="Strickfaden"] of NYA (jr)</p> <p>Nathan Gregersen of Le Sueur-Henderson (sr)</p> <p>Gage Bishop of Le Sueur-Henderson (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962294" first="Tanner" last="Scheevel"] of Lester Prairie (jr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Fourth Team</u></strong></p> <p>Isaac Hahn of Mayer Lutheran (sr)</p> <p>Connor Olsen of Mayer Lutheran (sr)</p> <p>Hunter Neubarth of NYA (jr)</p> <p>Jonathan Hurd of Tri City United (sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Second Team</u></strong></p>