Tri-Metro Conference Preview
The Tri-Metro Conference has been well-represented in the state tournament lately as DeLaSalle and Columbia Heights are among the best teams in Class AAA while Brooklyn Center went to state last year and St. Croix Lutheran has been a top team in Class AA recently. The conference should be strong again at the top.
Favorite: DeLaSalle
DeLaSalle will go into the year the prohibitive favorite to win another Class AAA title after losing to Columbia Heights in the state semis a year ago. Tyrell Terry is arguably the best point guard in the state and Jamison Battle gives the team another stud in the frontcourt. With a plethora of talented guards and Cade Haskins in the fold on the wing, the Islanders have all the pieces to win the conference, the section and potentially another state championship.
Should Contend: Columbia Heights,
Columbia Heights has been one of the top programs in Class AAA for a while now and while the Hylanders graduate a big chunk of their core, there’s talent in the program ready to step up. Jarvis Wright averaged better than 10 points per game and Amir Davis was a key reserve coming back.
Should Compete: Fridley, Holy Angels, St. Anthony Village, Concordia Academy
Concordia Academy won 16 games last year and should be even better this season. Barnabas Preble is one of the top returning players in the conference. Aaron Terhaar averaged 11 points per game and Essay Hagos and Luke Raymond return as regulars.
Fridley is consistently a solid program and while the Tigers graduate three of their top players, junior guard Isaac Burns is one of the top players in the conference.
St. Anthony Village just seems to consistently produce kids that can fill it up and that’s no different this year as Tait Nelson is back after averaging better than 17 points per game as a sophomore. Drew Hergenrader will join him as a returning rotation guy.
Holy Angels won nine games overall last year but with Charles Johnson transferring in, the Stars have one of the top backcourts in the conference with him and Max Gerstner. With several other returners, Holy Angels should be improved.
Rebuilding: St. Croix Lutheran, Brooklyn Center, St Agnes
St. Croix Lutheran was the top team in the East division and while the Crusaders relied on a very good senior class, there’s still talent in the program. Ezra Blumer is a key returning starter and Xavier Garcia and Zach Longueville could be guys to watch as underclassmen.
Brooklyn Center was one of the best teams in the state last year but with the exodus of a number of talented players, the Centaurs head into the year with more unknowns than knowns. Qentrell Douglas and Roland Russ are back so the cupboard is far from bare.
St. Agnes won six games a year ago and struggled mightily in conference. With Marcus Johnson gone to graduation, the Aggies face a uphill battle when it comes to producing points. Jacob Brezny, Norman Strickland and Terrell Jones are all back though, which means the team does have solid experience.
18-19 Conference Predictions
- DeLaSalle
- Columbia Heights
- Concordia Academy
- St. Anthony Village
- Holy Angels
- Fridley
- Brooklyn Center
- St. Croix Lutheran
- St. Agnes
Tri-Metro All Conference
First Team
Tyrell Terry, Sr., DeLaSalle (POY)
Jamison Battle, Sr., DeLaSalle
Jarvis Wright, Sr., Columbia Heights
Tait Nelson, Jr., St. Anthony Village
Charles Johnson, Sr., Holy Angels
Second Team
Qentrell Douglas, Sr., Brooklyn Center
Cade Haskins, Soph., DeLaSalle
Barnabas Preble, Jr., Concordia Academy
Isaac Burns, Jr., Fridley
Aaron Terhar, Jr., Concordia Academy