The Big Nine Preview
JM is expected to run away with the Big Nine this year but there will be several improved clubs hoping to put losses on their record in the league. Conference Commentary State Contender: Rochester JM The loss of Michael Hurt…
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Continue ReadingJM is expected to run away with the Big Nine this year but there will be several improved clubs hoping to put losses on their record in the league.
Conference Commentary
State Contender: Rochester JM
The loss of Michael Hurt is big there is no doubt. That said, everybody on this team is now better. The Rockets have several returning players that gained a lot of off-season experience starting with five star talent Matthew Hurt. Isaiah Walden is better, Dedoch Chan will have a full year to play, and the young guys look fair as well. A big year is expected.
Top Ten Now: Austin
The Pack is Back. This is a team that should be on par with the previous teams that went to state. They have the Gach brothers back Duoth and Both who have different abilities but are both capable of a lot. Tate Hebrink is a good lead guard and Oman Oman is going to be really tough inside. Add in some other athletes and workers, the Pack will be one of Class AAA’s best.
On the Verge: Northfield, Owatonna
The Raiders lost their frontcourt but the combination of Alex Rasmussen and Hunter Koep at forward will bring them a lot of wins. They still have big bodies up front, what they need is guard play. Owatonna looks set to have a great year. Jay Sullivan is one of the league’s best PGs and the junior forwards are talented.
In-Between: Faribault, Mankato East, Red Wing
The Falcons are very close as they have good senior lead guards and size. This will be a winning record year but how good is tough to know. Red Wing lost all of their starters and has only two guys back from the rotation. They get this spot on program reputation. Mankato East should be pretty good but we said the same thing last year and they lost many games they shouldn’t have. The junior class is good.
Competitive: Rochester Mayo, Winona
The Spartans from Mayo have a lot of guys taking basketball more seriously these days with many playing in the off-season. They should be better. Winona may take a step back but they still have some good players.
Rebuilding: Albert Lea, Rochester Century, Mankato West
Albert Lea is struggling so badly it’s tough to describe. West lost a lot of talent and they weren’t very good last year to begin with plus they have a new coach. Century has been struggling as of late.
Conference Power Ranking
- Rochester JM
- Austin
- Northfield
- Owatonna
- Faribault
- Mankato East
- Red Wing
- Rochester Mayo
- Winona
- Mankato West
- Rochester Century
- Albert Lea
Preseason All Big Nine
First Team
Matthew Hurt, Rochester JM, So
Duoth Gach, Austin, Jr
Hunter Koep, Northfield, Sr
Kade Hart, Faribault, Sr
Isaiah Walden, Rochester JM, Sr
Second Team
Dedoch Chan, Rochester JM, Sr
Both Gach, Austin, Jr
Dalton Kubista, Owatonna, Jr
Damani Hayes, Mankato East, Jr
Jay Sullivan, Owatonna, Sr
Third Team
Alex Rasmussen, Northfield, Jr
Ray Adams, Rochester JM, Sr
Oman Oman, Austin, Sr
Jake Makela, Mankato West, Sr
Kipp Adams, Red Wing, Sr
Trajan Grimsrud, Rochester Mayo, Sr
Fourth Team
Oscar Hedin, Winona, Sr
TJ Hunt, Faribault, Sr
Tate Hebrink, Austin, Jr
Uhana Ochan, Mankato East, Jr
Nolan Malo, Owatonna, Jr
Christian Massett, Red Wing, Sr