The Northwest Suburban 1 Preview
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We start our three article preview of the Northwest Suburban Conference by looking at the half the league that used to be named one! Keep in mind, they are not using these divisions any more, but it’s easier to preview…
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Continue ReadingWe start our three article preview of the Northwest Suburban Conference by looking at the half the league that used to be named one! Keep in mind, they are not using these divisions any more, but it’s easier to preview this way because it’s a huge league.
Conference Commentary
Top Contenders: Andover, Maple Grove
Andover is an interesting group. They did lose seven of their ten guys that regularly played but this summer they looked really good. The three returning players should mix with the junior varsity and up and comers to stay a very good team. Maybe not 23 wins but still a good team. Maple Grove and Andover split their games last season, Maple Grove won 21 games to Andover’s 23, and the Crimson have four guys back from their rotation which includes Henry Stang Henry Stang 6'0" | PG Maple Grove | 2024 State MN . I think the Crimson have a slight edge coming into the season.
Compete with Most: Blaine, Champlin Park, Anoka
I think Blaine is close, and they are a veteran team, but before I can stick them in that top contenders spot we got to see something first: a competitive game against Maple Grove or a win over Andover for example. The Bengals won 15 games last year with three juniors helping leading the way meaning a step forward towards 18-20 wins could be the goal. And that could happen, but need to see a bit of it first before putting them in the contention area. But I think they are close.
Champlin Park is a bit of a mixed bag: they won ten games last year and lost three of their four double figure scorers so that is a tough thing, but Amory Peterson Amory Peterson 6'3" | SG Champlin Park | 2024 State MN is one of the best players in the league and their underclassmen talent is very, very good. The Rebels are coming although when and where is not certain. Can that young talent mix with the veterans? Will the transfers out hurt?
Anoka. What do we do with Anoka? I am big on backcourts and Anoka has one of the best with Borchers and Podany entering their junior year. On the other hand, they were 6-13 against NWSC teams last year and they lost three starters. Honestly I am not totally sure where to go because very good guards entering their junior year should come with a jump, but results last year were ugly sometimes. I am still leaning Anoka’s guards leading them to a good year. And the ex-factor? The potential return of AJ Howze to the court should play a big part as he averaged 13 points per game as a sophomore.
Centennial and Coon Rapids will be better this year. I think they were more rebuilding phase last year and this year they will be competitive teams that win a few more games.
23-24 Northwest Suburban 1 Conference Predictions
- Maple Grove
- Anoka
- Andover
- Blaine
- Champlin Park
- Centennial
- Coon Rapids
Preseason All Northwest Suburban 1 Conference
First Team
Amory Peterson Amory Peterson 6'3" | SG Champlin Park | 2024 State MN of Champlin Park (sr)
Henry Stang Henry Stang 6'0" | PG Maple Grove | 2024 State MN of Maple Grove (sr)
Ethan Pettis of Blaine (sr)
Trey Borchers Trey Borchers 6'2" | SG Anoka | 2025 State MN of Anoka (jr)
Peyton Podany Peyton Podany 6'4" | SG Anoka | 2025 State MN of Anoka (jr)
Second Team
Chase Pemberton Chase Pemberton 6'3" | SF Andover | 2024 State MN of Andover (sr)
Alvin Payne Alvin Payne 6'1" | PG Blaine | 2024 State MN of Blaine (sr)
Gannon McGuire of Maple Grove (sr)
Ty Burgoon Ty Burgoon 5'10" | PG Centennial | 2024 State MN of Centennial (sr)
Braedy Laliberte Braedy Laliberte 6'4" | SF Maple Grove | 2024 State MN of Maple Grove (sr)
Third Team
Jerry Freeman Jerry Freeman 5'10" | PG Coon Rapids | 2024 State MN of Coon Rapids (sr)
Jackson Driessen Jackson Driessen 6'2" | PG Centennial | 2025 State MN of Centennial (jr)
Jordan Lyon Jordan Lyon 6'1" | SG Blaine | 2024 MN of Blaine (sr)
Jaxon Young Jaxon Young 6'3" | SG Coon Rapids | 2024 MN of Coon Rapids (jr)
Aj Howze of Anoka (sr)
Luke Dehnicke Luke Dehnicke 6'6" | PF Roseville | 2024 State MN of Andover (sr)
Fourth Team
Jevon Kiros Jevon Kiros 6'0" | PG Champlin Park | 2024 State MN of Champlin Park (sr)
Kyler Pust Kyler Pust 5'11" | PG Champlin Park | 2026 State MN of Champlin Park (soph)
Jackson Hettwer Jackson Hettwer 6'3" | SG Coon Rapids | 2024 State MN of Coon Rapids (sr)
Josh Femrite Josh Femrite 6'7" | PF Maple Grove | 2024 State MN of Maple Grove (sr)
Cameron Begalle Cameron Begalle 6'1" | PG Andover Highschool | 2025 State MN of Andover (jr)