The Tri-Metro Preview

<p>The Tri-Metro Conference is an 8-team lead that played 11-12 games last year but the league has added one team (Richfield) in place of two that left the league.  Here is our Tri-Metro Preview. </p> <p>The assumption is that the Tri Metro is now one league of eight teams with everybody having a home and home for a 14 game league schedule.</p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p>State Title Contender: DeLaSalle</p> <p>The Islanders are the heavy favorites in this league and rightfully so.  In addition, they are the clear preseason number two in Class AAA and have a very solid shot at playing for their 8th title in nine seasons! I really like the mix of this team.  It starts with having Jalen Travis in the post again as a high percentage finisher, worker, and rebounder.  Replacing Jamison Battle as the stretch four?  Cade Haskins.  If you haven't heard, Cade has grown at least two inches which opens up a full universe for him as a player and prospect.  He is a wing but at 6-foot-6 he can play the wing four spot for the Islanders and knock out those same jumpers Battle did the last couple years. </p> <p>Then you have one of the elite defenders out there in Andrew Irvin.  Amir Whitlock is much improved and can play both roles at guard, Keijuan White is an explosive athlete that can defend as well as play combo, and then they have Semaj Hart and Evan Boyd, two more talented wings.  The Islanders are again going to beat teams with defense, athleticism, depth, and toughness. </p> <p>Top Ten Potential: Holy Angels, St. Croix Lutheran, Columbia Heights</p> <p>Holy Angels in my mind is 10 or 11 in state entering the year.  And when we did the pre-season rankings it may have slipped my mind how much of their bench is back from last season.  Johnson gives them a lead guard that can move to the off-spot when O'Rouke steps on the floor while Banovetz is a double-double guy.  Last year's three guys off the bench now move into bigger roles. St. Croix Lutheran should take a big step forward with a really good junior trip that could sneak them into the top ten.  Then you have the Hylanders who are a dangerous team.  Their sophomore group will be good and could help them creep into the top ten.  They will make life miserable for good teams this year and contend in the following couple seasons. </p> <p>Compete with Most: Fridley, St Anthony</p> <p>St. Anthony has an excellent lead guard in Tait Nelson that will have a lot of responsibilities.  If this team can develop depth around him they can have a decent record.  Fridley not only lost seniors but also transfers which will cut at them a bit this season. </p> <p>Rebuilding: Richfield, Brooklyn Center</p> <p>Richfield enters the league and it's a good spot for them as they continue to rebuild behind some young players.  BC lost their coaches, transfers, and a lot of everything else.  It's a program starting over. </p> <p><strong>Predicted Order of Finish </strong></p> <ol> <li>DeLaSalle</li> <li>Holy Angels</li> <li>St. Croix Lutheran</li> <li>Columbia Heights</li> <li>Fridley</li> <li>St. Anthony</li> <li>Richfield</li> <li>Brooklyn Center</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Tri MetroConference</strong></p> <p><strong>First Team Pre-Season All Conference</strong></p> <p>Cade Haskins of DeLaSalle (Jr)</p> <p>Jalen Travis of DeLaSalle (Sr)</p> <p>Emmett Johnson of Holy Angels (Soph)</p> <p>Tait Nelson of St. Anthony (Sr)</p> <p>Matt Banovetz of Holy Angels (Sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Second Team Pre-Season All Conference</strong></p> <p>Muja Burton of Columbia Heights (Soph)</p> <p>Andrew Irvin of DeLaSalle (Sr)</p> <p>Keijuan White of DeLaSalle (Jr)</p> <p>Amir Whitlock of DeLaSalle (Sr)</p> <p>Zach Longueville of St. Croix Lutheran (Jr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Third Team Pre-Season All Conference</strong></p> <p>Jordan Jones of Columbia Heights (Sr)</p> <p>Isaac Burns of Fridley (Sr)</p> <p>Spencer Alvarez of Columbia Heights (Soph)</p> <p>Xavier Garcia of St. Croix Lutheran (Jr)</p> <p>Semaj Hart of DeLaSalle (Sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Fourth Team Pre-Season All Conference</strong></p> <p>Elijah Williams of Columbia Heights (Jr)</p> <p>Owen Bushaw of St. Croix Lutheran (Jr)</p> <p>Ryan Miles of Richfield (Jr)</p> <p>Max Kachman of St. Anthony (Jr)</p> <p>Evan Boyd of DeLaSalle (Sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Fifth Team Pre-Season All Conference</strong></p> <p>Mert Cula of St. Croix Lutheran (Sr)</p> <p>Conor O'Rourke of Holy Angels (Sr)</p> <p>Aaron Engel of Holy Angels (Sr)</p> <p>Lamar Grayson of Richfield (Jr)</p> <p>Nate Kesti of Holy Angles (Sr)</p>