SBLive's Minnesota boys basketball Power 25 (Feb. 20)

Brainerd continues to rise while Lakeville South falls

Mike Randleman | Feb 20, 2023

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Minnesota high school basketball top performers of the week (Feb. 6 - 12)

1. Park Center (21-0)

Last week’s ranking: 1

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at No. 13 Andover (17-5), Feb. 23 vs. Elk River (9-11)

Ranking rationale: Park Center did what it was supposed to do last week against a couple sub-.500 teams.

The Pirates dispatched Champlin Park (5-14) 91-76 Feb. 15 at home and Robbinsdale Armstrong (7-15) 88-57 Feb. 17 at home vs. JJ Ware, a 6-foot-6 junior forward, went off for a season-high 36 points vs. Armstrong.

Park Center could have its hands full in its next game against Andover, which is on a 10-game win streak.

2. Lakeville North (20-2)

Last week’s ranking: 2

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. No. 19 Eagan (14-8), Feb. 23 vs. Apple Valley (2-19)

Ranking rationale: Aside from No. 1 Park Center (21-0), Lakeville North has only lost to one other team this season: Eastview. The Panthers got revenge on the No. 6 Lightning (16-6) by winning 73-68 Feb. 14 on the road.

They led by six at halftime and held on thanks to 25 points by Nolan Winter and 23 from Jack Robison.

It puts the Panthers up two games on the Lightning for the lead in the South Suburban Conference. It was a 3-0 week with a 71-60 win vs. Rosemount (7-15) on Feb. 16 and 81-46 Feb. 17 at Burnsville (9-12).

3. Totino-Grace (15-6)

Last week’s ranking: 4

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at Osseo (12-10), Feb. 24 vs. Spring Lake Park (7-15)

Ranking rationale: Totino-Grace has played a meat grinder of a schedule, particularly for a Class 3A squad. The Eagles had a bit of a reprieve last week with just one game on the docket.

It wasn’t a game for long as Totino-Grace cruised to a 100-66 home victory Feb. 15 vs. Rogers (6-15).

The Eagles will go another week without a chance at a big resume booster, but they close the regular season with ranked matchups at home vs. No. 5 Minnetonka (17-5) and at No. 13 Andover (17-5).

4. Wayzata (18-4)

Last week’s ranking: 3

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at No. 5 Minnetonka (17-5), Feb. 23 vs. White Bear Lake (14-7), Feb. 25 at Minneapolis North (14-7)

Ranking rationale: Wayzata falls outside the top three for the first time all month. The Trojans’ impressive 17-game win streak came to a close with a 92-86 overtime loss at home to a desperate Eden Prairie (10-10) team on Feb. 16.

The two teams were tied at 39 at halftime and 74 after regulation before a high-scoring overtime. Spencer Hall led Wayzata with 24 points. The blue and gold still went 1-1 on the week with a dominant 83-49 win at home to complete the season sweep of No. 21 Edina (12-10) on Feb. 14.

Wayzata was up 21 at halftime, held all Hornet scorers to single digits and received a game-high 20 points from Hayden Tibbits. Wayzata can certainly climb back to No. 3 with good showings this week against a trio of winning teams.

5. Minnetonka (17-5)

Last week’s ranking: 5

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. No. 4 Wayzata (18-4), Feb. 24 at St. Michael-Albertville (8-14)

Ranking rationale: A lot of top 10 teams lost last week. Minnetonka was among them, going 1-1 with an 88-81 loss Feb. 15 at current No. 11 Hopkins (15-7) and a 68-67 win Feb. 18 vs. current No. 21 Edina (12-10). Minnetonka was down just two at halftime to Hopkins.

Jalen Cain (20) and Jordan Cain (23) combined for 43 points. The Skippers kept their slim chance at a Lake Conference title alive with a bounce-back win the next game led by 17 points from Andy Stefonowicz. Minnetonka needs to salvage a season split with Wayzata this week and get another loss from the Trojans to be tied at the top.

6. Eastview (16-6)

Last week’s ranking: 6

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. Apple Valley (2-19), Feb. 23 at No. 18 Lakeville South (13-9)

Ranking rationale: Despite taking on a loss, it was still a solid week for Eastview. The Lightning already had a road victory over South Suburban Conference foe Lakeville North, so they were playing with house money in the Feb. 14 rematch.

Jonathan Mekonnen poured in 24 points but his squad fell short, 73-68. It all but locked up the conference title for North, which is up two games on Eastview. The Lightning bounced back the next night with a 70-65 win vs. current No. 23 Farmington (12-10).

Mekonnen scored 23. On Feb. 17, Eastview held for another close one, 70-65, at a Rosemount (7-15) team that’s playing above its record of late. Mekonnen led with 24.

7. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (19-3)

Last week’s ranking: 7

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at Waconia (10-12), Feb. 24 at No. 15 Orono (17-5)

Ranking rationale: A 2-0 week keeps Benilde-St. Margaret’s at No. 7 and as the second-highest Class 3A team. They beat a couple 4A squads recently, downing St. Louis Park 102-61 on Feb. 14 and winning 68-55 at Chanhassen (10-12).

Jayden Daisy’s 31 points led the way vs. SLP and Jalen Wilson’s 22 helped the Red Knights surge past the Storm in a game tied at halftime. Benilde-St. Margaret's is on an eight-game win streak dating to the end of January.

8. Buffalo (19-4)

Last week’s ranking: 8

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at No. 21 Edina (12-10), Feb. 24 vs. No. 11 Hopkins (15-7)

Ranking rationale: It was a 2-1 week for the Bison, who just suffered their first non-conference loss of the season.

The week got off to a start with a 97-90 home win Feb. 13 vs. Class 2A power Minnehaha Academy (16-7). Nate Dahl did Nate Dahl things, scoring a game-high 36 points.

A few nights later, Buffalo won 68-58 at St. Michael-Albertville (8-14) in a game the Bison were up 18 at halftime. Dahl led with 20. Three-game weeks can be tough.

On Feb. 18, Buffalo and current No. 14 Brainerd (17-3) were squared at 33 at halftime in Buffalo before the visitors surged for a 73-59 win. Dahl had 30 but was outdueled by 39 by John Pecarich.

9. East Ridge (15-6)

Last week’s ranking: 9

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. Eden Prairie (10-10), Feb. 22 vs. Mounds View (13-8), Feb. 24 vs. Park of Cottage Grove (7-13)

Ranking rationale: The Raptors have been a new team since the New Year. They won their 12th game in the last 13 with a 67-63 win Feb. 14 at Forest Lake (7-15).

East Ridge battled back from a 39-37 halftime deficit. Cedric Tomes led all scorers with 22 points. Once again down two at the break on Feb. 17, a comeback wasn’t in the cards in a 79-71 loss at Stillwater (13-9), a team that was in consideration to climb back in the top 25 this week. Alex Mattes led the Raptors with 18 points.

10. DeLaSalle (20-4)

Last week’s ranking: 10

This week’s games: Feb. 25 vs. Fridley (6-14)

Ranking rationale: The Islanders’ win streak is up to 13. They went 3-0 last week with the games getting progressively trickier. On Feb. 13, DeLaSalle won 90-74 at Brooklyn Center (7-14). Nasir Whitlock dropped 34 points in a game DLS led by six at halftime. On Feb. 17, DLS won 90-77 at home vs. Columbia Heights (12-10).

The Highlanders were up one at the break but Whitlock (21) and co. were too much. The Class 3A Islanders downed their Class 4A city rival Cretin-Derham Hall 43-41 Feb. 18 on the road.

It was 25-all at halftime with Whitlock once again leading with 17. He may need more guys to step up when the postseason comes, but it’s nice to have an ace in the hole like him.

11. Hopkins (15-7)

Last week’s ranking: 12

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at St. Michael-Albertville (8-14), Feb. 24 at No. 8 Buffalo (19-4)

Ranking rationale: The Royals have had their ups and downs this season, but the body of work speaks for itself. Based on this week’s rankings, Hopkins picked up its sixth top-25 victory by avenging a loss earlier in the season to previous No. 5 Minnetonka (17-5).

Hopkins defended home court with an 88-81 victory. Anthony Smith and Vincent Hillesheim both scored a game-high 24 points to help Hopkins pull away from a 42-40 halftime advantage.

No one’s catching Wayzata in the Lake Conference title race, but second place in this conference is still in the cards for Hopkins if it can pick up a couple road wins this week.

12. Mahtomedi (18-3)

Last week’s ranking: 11

This week’s games: Feb. 20 at River Falls, Wisconsin, Feb. 21 at Simley (6-15), Feb. 24 vs. Bemidji (13-9)

Ranking rationale: The Zephyrs took care of business last week, but they have been leapfrogged by Hopkins, which earned a top-five victory over Minnetonka last week.

Mahtomedi is on a three-game win streak and won last week 54-38 Feb. 14 at Hudson, Wisconsin, and 86-45 vs. Hastings (5-18).

Will Underwood led with 18 points vs. Hudson and Owen Carlson led with 21 against Hastings. The Hudson win was the second time holding an opponent under 40 this season.

13. Andover (17-5)

Last week’s ranking: 13

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. No. 1 Park Center (21-0), Feb. 23 at Centennial (4-17)

Ranking rationale: The Huskies are one of the hottest teams in the state. They’ve won 10 straight and seven by double digits. Andover went 2-0 last week, beating Elk River (9-11) 91-58 Feb. 15 at home and at Coon Rapids (5-17) 99-65 Feb. 17.

Ben Kopetzki led with 17 against the Elks and 35 against the Cardinals. Andover is 14-1 in the Northwest Suburban Conference and can climb into first place if it can upset Park Center this week in their only meeting of the season.

14. Brainerd (17-3)

Last week’s ranking: 19

This week’s games: Feb. 20 at Fergus Falls (6-15), Feb. 21 vs. Sartell-St. Stephen (6-16), Feb. 25 vs. St. Michael-Albertville (8-14)

Ranking rationale: The Warriors make the biggest leap in the rankings this week. They’ve earned it after upsetting No. 8 Buffalo (19-4) 73-59 Feb. 18 in Buffalo.

While Brainerd couldn’t hold down Buffalo’s elite scorer Nate Dahl, who went for 30, it had a worthy counterpart. John Pecarich scored a season-high 39 points. He does well against Lake Conference competition as he had 34 at Eden Prairie in January.

The Warriors also won 78-62 Feb. 16 at Rocori (12-9). Eli Hoelz led with 24 points to go with 20 for Pecarich. Brainerd’s won eight in a row and will look to keep it going with six unranked opponents to close out the regular season.

15. Orono (17-5)

Last week’s ranking: 14

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. Bloomington Jefferson (11-10), Feb. 24 vs. No. 7 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (19-3)

Ranking rationale: Orono hit a mid-season rough patch, but things are back on the up and up. The only reason it drops a spot this week is due to Brainerd earning a top-10 road win and leaping Orono.

The Spartans’ win streak is up to a season-long seven games after going 2-0 last week. Orono won 74-44 Feb. 14 vs. New Prague (5-17) and 83-69 Feb. 16 at Waconia (10-12) to complete season sweeps of two Metro West Conference rivals. Nolan Groves led Orono with 22 points vs. New Prague and Isaiah Hagen led with 25 against Waconia.

The Spartans have been in the top 10 this season and can inch closer with a win this week vs. Benilde-St. Margaret’s in a potential Class 3A, Section 6 championship game preview.

16. Holy Family (20-2)

Last week’s ranking: 15

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at Maranatha Christian Academy (20-2), Feb. 24 at Delano (16-6)

Ranking rationale: The Fire only drop a spot due to Brainerd’s climb from No. 19 to 14, but Holy Family continues to roll. It’s on a nine-game win streak after winning both games last week. It started with a 99-49 drubbing of Providence Academy (5-16) Feb. 14 at home. Braylon Cummings and Kole Hanson each scored 21.

On Feb. 17, Holy Family completed the season sweep of Jordan, winning 76-35 on the road. That was a season-low for an opponent. Hanson led with 19. Holy Family has a tough one coming next.

It’s the top-ranked team in Class 2A per Minnesota Basketball News hitting the road to take on Maranatha Christian Academy in a game we could end up seeing at the state tournament.

17. Shakopee (13-9)

Last week’s ranking: 18

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at Burnsville (9-12), Feb. 24 at No. 23 Farmington (12-10)

Ranking rationale: The Sabers went 2-1 last week against a tough trio of teams. On Feb. 14, Shakopee won 62-56 at previous No. 23 Prior Lake (11-11). Jalen Langsy’s 12 points led four from Shakopee in double figures.

The Sabers won 69-58 Feb. 16 vs. its neighbor in the rankings, No. 18 Lakeville South (13-9). Termaine Fulton Jr. led with 18. Three-game weeks proved tricky for metro schools this week.

Shakopee took a road trip up north and lost 62-60 at Duluth East (18-5), a team that debuts in the rankings this week at No. 25.

18. Lakeville South (13-9)

Last week’s ranking: 15

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at Prior Lake (11-11), Feb. 24 vs. No. 6 Eastview (16-6)

Ranking rationale: it’s been tough sledding for the Cougars of late. Lakeville South dropped both games last week as well as five of the last six since the beginning of February.

Most of the Cougars’ losses have been to ranked teams, but that was not the case in a 59-38 puzzler Feb. 14 at home vs. Rosemount (7-15). The Irish have been pesky lately, but the margin of victory tied for South’s largest of the season.

The Cougars were more competitive Feb. 16 at current No. 17 Shakopee (13-9), but it wasn’t enough in a 69-58 loss. Reece Gerl led three in double figures with 12 points.

Lakeville South may be in jeopardy of falling out of the top 25 if it can’t knock off at least one of two tough opponents this week.

19. Eagan (14-8)

Last week’s ranking: 17

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at No. 2 Lakeville North (20-2), Feb. 24 vs. Prior Lake (11-11)

Ranking rationale: It wasn’t always pretty, but Eagan did what it was supposed to do against a pair of bottom feeders in the South Suburban Conference standings.

The Wildcats have won three in a row to match their season-long streak. On Feb. 14, Eagan thumped Burnsville (9-12) 63-46 and a couple days later escaped with a 52-48 win at Apple Valley (2-19). Oscar Khazon led with 17 points against Burnsville in a game Eagan led by seven at the half.

The Apple Valley game was the 10th time in the last 11 games the Wildcats held an opponent under 70. Max Buslee and Emmanuel Schmitter scored 15 each. Eagan only drops a couple spots due to losses to the two teams ahead of it.

20. Maple Grove (16-6)

Last week’s ranking: 20

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. Anoka (11-10), Feb. 23 at Robbinsdale Armstrong (7-15)

Ranking rationale: A 2-1 week leads to the Crimson hanging at No. 20. Five of Maple Grove’s six losses this season are by single digits.

It lost 60-58 in overtime Feb. 13 vs. a White Bear Lake (14-7) team that is the first team left out of this week’s ranking. Lincoln Palbicki led Maple Grove with 14 points.

The Crimson bounced back by allowing a then-season low in a 68-31 win Feb. 15 vs. Coon Rapids (5-17). A new season low was set two days later in a 63-28 win at Champlin Park (6-14). Palbicki led again with 20.

21. Edina (12-10)

Last week’s ranking: 21

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. No. 8 Buffalo (19-4), Feb. 24 at Eden Prairie (10-10)

Ranking rationale: The Hornets went 0-2 last week but both losses were to top-five teams.

Edina didn’t feel good about an 83-49 loss at previous No. 3 Wayzata (18-4) on Feb. 14, but it put forth a much better effort in a 68-67 near upset at No. 5 Minnetonka (17-5). The Hornets led the Skippers by one at halftime but couldn’t quite finish the deal. Daniel Molhoek led all scorers with 18 points. Eight of Edina’s 10 losses are to top-25 teams.

22. Alexandria (16-4)

Last week’s ranking: 22

This week’s games: Feb. 21 vs. Fergus Falls (6-15), Feb. 23 vs. Sartell-St. Stephen (6-16), Feb. 24 at Monticello (1-22)

Ranking rationale: Alexandria went 3-0 last week with two of the wins coming against sub-.500 foes. The Cardinals won 75-50 vs. Willmar (8-14) on Feb. 13.

On short rest, Alexandria won 62-55 at a Rocori (12-9) team that had won six in a row going in. The Cards capped the week with an 86-57 win Feb. 17 at St. Cloud Apollo (1-20).

That makes four wins in a row after they lost back-to-back games earlier in the month. Alexandria doesn’t have any more ranked opponents left in the regular season, but if it can run the table it may be able to climb back in the top 20.

23. Farmington (12-10)

Last week’s ranking: 24

This week’s games: Feb. 21 at Rosemount (7-15), Feb. 24 vs. No. 17 Shakopee (13-9)

Ranking rationale: A 2-1 week with a split against ranked foes allows Farmington to nudge up one spot this week.

The Tigers have been a part of a lot of close games this season, so a 61-36 win Feb. 14 at Apple Valley (2-19) had to feel good. Justin Baffour led 12 Tigers on the scoresheet with 12 points. Farmington fell the next night 70-65 at No. 6 Eastview (16-6).

Eastview claimed the season series by a combined six points. Baiden Bean led the Tigers with 20. Farmington helped knock out previous No. 23 Prior Lake (11-11) out of the top 25 with a 76-68 home win on Feb. 17. Bean led with 19 as Farmington won the second half by 15.

24. St. Thomas Academy (18-5)

Last week’s ranking: 25

This week’s games: Feb. 24 at South St. Paul (17-5)

Ranking rationale: It would have been hard to imagine the Cadets being a top-25 team after beginning the season 1-4.

All they’ve done since is win 17 of 18 games with the lone loss coming to current No. 12 Mahtomedi (18-3), a team they would later beat. St. Thomas Academy extended its win streak to 13 last week thanks to a 74-70 home win Feb. 13 vs. Park of Cottage Grove (7-13), a 59-50 win Feb. 15 at Tartan (14-8) and a 61-53 home win Feb. 17 vs. Two Rivers (8-15).

Michael Kirchner led with 23 points against Park, Luke Dobbs led with 20 against Tartan and Kirchner led with 17 against Two Rivers.

The Cadets can pad their resume by beating a South St. Paul team that was in consideration of a top-25 spot this week.

25. Duluth East (18-5)

Last week’s ranking: Unranked

This week’s games: Feb. 24 vs. Centennial (4-17)

Ranking rationale: Welcome to the rankings, Duluth East! A 3-0 week ending with a win over a ranked opponent gets the Greyhounds a number before their name. It began with a 79-62 victory Feb. 13 at Blaine (12-10), 68-56 Feb. 15 at St. Paul Central (15-6) and 62-60 vs. current No. 17 Shakopee (13-9).

Brennan Meyer led five Greyhounds in double figures against Blaine with 17 points.

Ty Nyberg led with 16 against SPC. The Shakopee game was Duluth East’s second win over a current top-25 team, but the Greyhounds have solid victories against teams like Osseo (12-10) and Owatonna (17-5) to go with a big win at current No. 14 Brainerd (17-3) in January.

Published Feb 20, 2023

MIKE RANDLEMAN