The South Suburban Preview
We kick off the conference previews with the South Suburban Conference and their constant standout, Apple Valley.
Last Year. Apple Valley won 30 games, was perfect in the league, and oh year, they brought home their third state title in five seasons. From there Lakeville North went to the state tournament yet again and swept the league outside of the brown and gold. Lakeville South was oddly 12-6 in league play but 3-7 outside of it and Prior Lake was the only other group with a winning record in league play (Rosemount had a winning record overall but not in the league).
Conference Commentary
State Contender: Apple Valley
The Eagles have exactly what it takes to be a champion: returning starters, a state tournament veteran of a coach, a superstar in Tre Jones, depth, young talent, and then Luke Martens who could also challenge for all state. The Eagles has had a run of stars but that current line of super talent ends this season.
Potential Top Ten: Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Prior Lake
The North Panthers have been to state five straight seasons and they will enter the season top five or six overall. The squad will continue to win games. Lakeville South? We think they will be a bit undervalued by others. Shae Mitchell and Beau Bailey have showed great signs of becoming matured talents plus the team now has Joe Janquart, young talent, and some tough guards. What about Prior Lake? Robert Jones and Dawson Garcia give them a frontcourt that few in the state can match plus they have guards with potential.
Compete with Most: Eastview, Burnsville
The juniors and sophomores in the Eastview program are very talented. When people talk of programs on the rise they need to include the Lightning. It may be a year away from being where they dream of being but they will still be very good. And Burnsville. There is always a toughness in this program. Some good pieces return.
Rebuilding: Rosemount, Eagan, Farmington, Shakopee
The Irish underachieved last year when they had good seniors and a pair of D1 players. Now they had to add a coach late in the summer and there isn’t much talent. Eagan has a strong new coach in Josh Peltier and a few tough pieces are on that team while Farmington also has some names to watch for. Then you have Shakopee. A great coach in Bruce Kugath and some experienced young guys, but likely a team that is a year away.
Conference Predictions
- Apple Valley
- Lakeville North
- Lakeville South
- Prior Lake
- Eastview
- Burnsville
- Shakopee
- Eagan
- Farmington
- Rosemount
Preseason All South Suburban
First Team
Tre Jones, Apple Valley, Sr
Shae Mitchell, Lakeville South, Sr
Luke Martens, Apple Valley, Sr
Tyler Wahl, Lakeville North, Jr
Dawson Garcia, Prior Lake, Soph
Second Team
Tyler Lewko, Lakeville North, Sr
Rpbert Jones, Prior Lake, Jr
Spencer Rolland, Apple Valley, Sr
Nathan Macho, Apple Valley, Sr
Tate Machacek, Eastview, Soph
Third Team
Beau Bailey, Lakeville South, Sr
Ely Hendrickson, Apple Valley, Sr
Marcus Shepley, Burnsville, So
Ty Miklowski, Burnsville, Sr
Cole Anderson, Lakeville North, Sr