The Metro East Preview
Conference Commentary State Title Contender: Tartan State title contender they are, a favorite though not quite. I think next year they will be considered amongst the top three favorites because this team has two division one caliber players on it…
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State Title Contender: Tartan
State title contender they are, a favorite though not quite. I think next year they will be considered amongst the top three favorites because this team has two division one caliber players on it surrounding by numerous future college basketball players. I think they are for sure a state team which makes them a title contender. That said, I would say the favorites are Hopkins and Apple Valley with Tartan joining about six others with a chance to win it.
Top Ten in State Right Now: Mahtomedi
The Zephyrs have moved down to the much more forgiving Class AAA level of basketball and with Parker Fox, Shayne Frost, and Lucas Buller on the team they have a great chance to be in the top ten most of the year.
Potential Top Ten: St. Thomas, Simley, Hill-Murray
Simley lost everything but Jack Stensgard, STA lost their coach and numerous seniors, Hill-Murray lost one of the top best players in last year’s class in Marshawn Wilson (who likely would have been ranked number one in the state amongst prospects had we resorted the rankings one more time in the spring). Add in all the short guards they had and the Pioneers lost a lot too. That said, Simley, STA, and Hill-Murray all have enough back to make a big end top ten run in a very weak field of Class AAA basketball. Stensgard and Binley as well as Davis and Moore are good combos at these programs.
Compete with Most: North St. Paul, Hastings
NSP will be just as good as the programs listed in the previous two categories above, but because they are Class AAAA there is little to no chance we see them in the top ten of those rankings. They would have a chance in Class AAA but they aren’t in Class AAA. Whatever the case they lose only one guy from their line-up and there is good talent there. The Polars could push for top three in the league. Hastings will rebuild now after a fantastic 14-15 but they still have guys that can compete.
Building: South St. Paul, Henry Sibley
The Warriors took the place of the Packers in the cellar. Both actually one a league game but SSP had the better overall record. Both are struggling but the Warriors have some good guards that will make them better.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Tartan
- Mahtomedi
- Hill-Murray
- North St. Paul
- St. Thomas
- Simley
- Hastings
- Henry Sibley
- S. St. Paul
Preseason All Metro East
First Team
Jordan Horn, Tartan, Jr
Jarvis Thomas, Tartan, So.
Joevon Walker, Tartan, Jr.
Jack Stensgard, Simley, Sr.
Simeon Davis, Hill-Murray, Jr
Second Team
Goodnews Kpegeol, North St. Paul, So.
Parker Fox, Mahtomedi, Jr
Shayne Frost, Mahtomedi, Jr
Nate Chaffee, St. Thomas, Sr.
Emmanuel Humphrey, Tartan, Jr
Third Team
King Myles, Tartan, Jr
Chris Moore, Hill-Murray, Sr.
DeNario Jackson, Tartan, Sr
Jordan Thompson, Tartan, Jr
Jake Binley, Simley, So.
Fourth Team
Josh Steckler, North St. Paul, Jr.
Noah Whalen, Tartan, Jr.
Lucas Buller, Mahtomedi, Sr.
Brady Gullicks, Hastings, Sr.
Rieshaun Satar, Henry Sibley, So.
Zach Taylor, S St. Paul, Sr.
Most Likely To…
Scorch the Nets…Jordan Horn/Simeon Davis
Run Over Grandma for a Loose Ball…Nate Chaffee
Bring the Mix Tapers to the Baseline…Jarvis Thomas
Provide a Top 10 Throwdown…Jarvis Thomas/Parker Fox
Break Ankles and Get Lane…Goodnews Kpegeol
Go to work on the block…Joevon Walker
Clean the Glass… Jarvis Thomas
Fill up 20 every night…Jack Stensgard, Jordan Horn
Send your shot into the stands… Jarvis Thomas
Drop a Dime…Jordan Horn
Breakout from Underrated status…Nate Chaffee
Win a Court IQ Contest…Jordan Horn/Jack Stensgard