Class AAA Title Contender Series: Benilde-St. Margaret’s
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BSM won 24 games a season ago and they bring back their top four scorers. The Red Knights will be more experienced but their depth did take a hit by transfers. Here are the 2023-24 BSM Red Knights, a Class…
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Continue ReadingBSM won 24 games a season ago and they bring back their top four scorers. The Red Knights will be more experienced but their depth did take a hit by transfers. Here are the 2023-24 BSM Red Knights, a Class AAA title contender!
Key Wins in 22-23 (24-5): Alexandria, Richfield (x2), Andover, DeLaSalle, Mankato East, Mankato West, Edina, Chanhassen (x2), Orono, Hermantown, Waconia
Oops: Wayzata, Middleton (WI), Waconia, Orono (x2)
Moving On: Christian Wiggins Christian Wiggins 6'3" | SG Wayzata | 2026 State MN scored eight points a game as a freshman for BSM last year. Wiggins has since transferred to Wayzata. Kayden Wellls scored 6.5 points a game as a BSM junior, he has transferred to Minnetonka. Colin Kirk Colin Kirk 6'7" | PF Eden Prairie | 2025 State MN is a 6’7 forward, he played off the deep BSM bench last season, Kirk is now at Eden Prairie. Elliot Huether scored three points a game last season, he graduated.
Returning Starters (4). I went with four because when I looked back at four different games on you tube I found different starting line-ups each time but it was usually four returning players. Everything starts with Jalen Wilson Jalen Wilson 6'8" | PF Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State #230 Nation MN who is one of the two best junior prospects in the state, was likely the Sophomore MVP last season, and a first team Class AAA preseason all state pick. He’s a fantastic back to the basket player with a solid face-up game as well. Wilson averaged 18.2 points per game last year and was a starter in all those videos and in all the games I went to.
When it comes to guards in the 2025 class Jaleel Donley Jaleel Donley 6'1" | PG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN has the most potential. His explosive step, his explosive leap, speed with the basketball, lateral quicks, and the 14 points a game last year, Donley has the most potential. It will be interesting to see how he grows now as an upperclassmen because if his game matures BSM could be a very very tough team to beat. Jayden Daisy Jayden Daisy 6'4" | SG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2024 State MN is a senior this year coming off a 14 point per game season, he’s a solid scoring option at the two with good size. Then at forward/wing is Abu Keita Abu Keita 6'5" | SF Benilde-St.Margaret's | 2025 State MN who scored 10.6 points a game last year as a sophomore.
Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: Ron Lee already had a big role as a ball handler, defender, and spark plug, but that role will be even bigger as he likely moves into that fifth starter role. Lee will be a senior and his ability to get up in the ball handler’s space as well as his ability to handle will allow Donley to do some other things at times. Lee looks to be the perfect compliment to the other returning players.
Potentials from the JV. The other seniors-to-be at BSM look to be Drew Kessenich, Elliott Laukka, and Davis Puncochar. All three played on the JV a season ago. Drew is a fantastic student, Elliott a baseball standout, and Davis an excellent runner for cross country. All three will work to get a spot off the bench. Along with them is junior Luke Guggenberger, a 6’4 standout wide receiver. All of these multi-sport standouts could provide help off the bench. Also keep an eye on sophomore Tanner Rose Tanner Rose 6'1" | SG Benilde St Margaret's | 2026 State MN , a shooter that played JV last year as a freshmen.
New to the Varsity program. Freshmen Milton Nuahn Milton Nuahn 6'1" Benilde-St Margaret | 2027 MN is a forward to watch for as well. BSM will need some reserves and Milton is a guy that will be a big part of their future, if he’s ready he can defend and attack the bucket as a reserve. And I would expect him to get experience on the JV as well for part of the year at least.
Final Thoughts. Wilson will need a little bit of help up front and if one of the new names we mentioned can do that they will have a role. Outside of that, I really like what BSM has with a star in Wilson, multiple ball handlers, several wing scoring options, and a standout group of juniors that are now experienced upperclassmen. I expect BSM to have a strong year.