The Lake Preview
The Lake Conference is considered the toughest Minnesota league top to bottom and today at NHR we preview The Lake.
Last Year. Wayzata and Hopkins shared the league title a year ago but then Wayzata beat Hopkins in sectional play so they earned the last laugh. Edina and Eden Prairie went 3-5 with Minnetonka coming in last. It was a historic season for the Trojans who went 28-4 and made state. Hopkins had more losses than usual but still went 23-6. Edina was 18-10, EP fell to 16-13, and Minnetonka was 12-15.
Conference Commentary
State Contender: Hopkins
The Royals have the talent to make a run at the state title. Anthony Davis and Joe Hedstrom are the senior leaders and up front Hedstrom will work with Zeke Nnaji to form one of the best frontcourts in the state of Minnesota. Add in young talents like Kerwin Walton and Blaise Beauchamp in the backcourt and an array of workers ready to step into roles, like a Dane Zimmer, the Royals will be tough to deal with
Potential Top Ten: Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Edina
The Trojans had a great senior class that graduated but still have some nice pieces returning, as well as talent to fill the holes. Jacob Beeninga and Drew Galinson will keep this team in the top ten along with others. Eden Prairie will be very deep and last year’s up and down year provided important experience. Antonio Montero and Kyler Kluge are the senior leaders and the sophomore class with Austin Andrews and Drake Dobbs will play a big role. The potential of the Hornets is very exciting, but also interesting. Anders Nelson will lead the way along with Luke Glenna the backcourt is very tough and then you had the toughness/shooting of Jack Middleton plus the potential up front of Jacob Hutton and this could be a very good Hornets squad.
Compete with Most: Minnetonka
Tonka may actually belong in the group above them, we just need to see them win more consistently before committing to that. All of the Lake could fit into the top 15 or top 20 in the state. Jon Martens, Jalen Dearring, and Andy Stafford are the headliners but there is young talent that will help and some reserves from last season that will fill roles. They will be better than you expect.
Conference Predictions
- Hopkins
- Wayzata
- Eden Prairie
- Edina
- Minnetonka
Preseason All Lake
First Team
Jacob Beeninga of Wayzata, Jr
Anders Nelson of Edina, Sr
Anthony Davis of Hopkins, Sr.
Joseph Hedstrom of Hopkins, Sr
Zeke Nnaji of Hopkins, Jr
Second Team
Kyler Kluge of Eden Prairie, Sr
Blaise Beauchamp of Hopkins, Soph
Drake Dobbs of Eden Prairie, Soph
Austin Andrews of Eden Prairie, Soph
Drew Galinson of Wayzata, Sr
Third Team
Jack Middleton of Edina, Jr
Jalen Dearring of Minnetonka, Jr
Kerwin Walton of Hopkins, Soph
Jon Martens of Minnetonka, Sr
Luke Glenna of Edina, Sr
Antonio Montero of Eden Prairie, Senior