Top 25 Minnesota high school boys basketball rankings (12/11/2023)

Wayzata starts the season at No. 1 in the first SBLive Minnesota boys basketball Power 25

The Minnesota high school boys basketball 2023-24 season is underway. The Wayzata Trojans will look to defend their Class 4A title, and they started the season strong with a win over Class 3A defending champion Totino-Grace on Saturday, December 9.

Park Center is the Class 4A runner-up, and they Pirates have a tough game against No. 5 Benilde-St. Margaret's on Saturday, December 16.

Here is the Minnesota high school boys basketball Power 25:

Minnesota high school boys basketball Power 25

No. 1 Wayzata (3-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 vs. No. 7 Shakopee (3-0), Dec. 15 at No. 13 Prior Lake (2-1)

Ranking rationale: Wayzata lost a ton of production from its 2023 Class 4A championship squad. Through three games, it looks like the Trojans haven’t skipped a beat.

Wayzata beat Champlin Park (0-4) and Maple Grove (1-3) by a combined 79 points. Those were tune-ups for a huge 83-81 neutral site victory Dec. 9 over reigning Class 3A champion, No. 3 Totino-Grace (1-1) at the Tip-Off Classic.

The Trojans have one of the top big men in the state, 6-foot-9 power forward and Creighton commit, Jackson McAndrew. He’s one of nine seniors head coach Bryan Schnettler has at his disposal.

Wayzata does not have a rematch of the state title game thriller scheduled with No. 2 Park Center (4-0), so it will be interesting to see how long these two powerhouses can stay unbeaten.

No. 2 Park Center (4-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 15 at Robbinsdale Armstrong (1-1), Dec. 16 vs. No. 5 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-0)

Ranking rationale: After a 28-3 season fell just shy of producing back-to-back state title in 2022-23, Park Center looks like it has a squad that could at least give the Pirates two of the last three Class 4A crowns.

Head coach James Ware has his team off to a hot start highlighted by an 81-79 neutral floor win vs. Lakeville North (1-1) Dec. 9 at the Tip-Off Classic. North was 28-4 last season and finished third at state.

That was the only team to hang within single digits of Park Center so far in 2023-24. The Pirates also picked up a notable 66-51 win Dec. 5 at Maple Grove (1-3), a 21-7 squad a season ago. Senior combo guard and University of Washington commit Casmir “Cash” Chavis is the leader of this team and one of the top scorers in the state. He scored 23 points vs. Lakeville North, including two on a game-winning floater at the buzzer.

No. 3 Totino-Grace (1-1)

This week’s games: Dec. 13 at Spring Lake Park (1-2), Dec. 15 at Coon Rapids (1-1), Dec. 16 vs. Bellevue West, Nebraska

Ranking rationale: Totino-Grace was oh so close to pulling off the best win in the state so far in the young season.

In a battle of defending state champions, Class 3A power T-G fell 83-81 vs. 4A No. 1 Wayzata (3-0) Dec. 9 at the Tip-Off Classic in Hopkins in what those in attendance deemed an instant classic.

T-G has one of the top wings in the state with 6-foot-7 senior and Miami commit, Isaiah Johnson-Arigu. He dropped 31 points in a big 79-75 win Dec. 5 at No. 6 Hopkins (2-1) in the season opener.

No. 4 Lakeville North (1-1)

This week’s games: Dec. 15 vs. Verona, Wisconsin, in Madison, Wisconsin; Dec. 16 vs. Onalaska or Wisconsin Lutheran in Madison.

Ranking rationale: Lakeville North is likely disappointed to lose another single-digit game to No. 2 Park Center (4-0), but a close loss to an uber-talented team like the Pirates might be more impressive than a close win over a replacement level opponent.

It looked like the Panthers were headed to overtime until they surrendered a floater to star guard Casmir Chavis to win it for the Pirates at the buzzer, 81-79.

Lakeville North has a stud, but he’s in the front court. Future Wisconsin Badger forward Jack Robison will be dueling with Chavis in the Big 10 soon enough. Robison poured in a game-high 25 points. He and fellow senior Andrew Quam, who had 22 vs. Park Center, make a dynamic combo.

The Panthers rolled in their season opener 83-66 at No. 12 East Ridge (0-2), a top-10 team in the Power 25 throughout much of 2022-23.

No. 5 Benilde-St. Margaret's (3-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 16 at No. 2 Park Center (4-0)

Ranking rationale: Benilde-St. Margaret’s had a stellar 24-5 season in 2022-23 with a young roster. One thing the Red Knights were unable to pull off was making the state tournament for the first time since 2010. They were upended 66-62 by Orono in the Class 3A, Section 6 championship.

Guard Jalen Wilson is the top-ranked recruit in Minnesota for the class of 2025 per 247 Sports. He averaged nearly 20 points per game in 2022-23 and has helped orchestrate three solid wins right off the bat.

B-SM trounced a tough 3A school in Mankato West (3-1) 73-53 Dec. 5 before beating a pair of 4A Lake Conference foes, 82-77 Dec. 7 vs. No. 19 Eden Prairie (0-2) and 64-44 Dec. 9 vs. No. 20 Edina (0-2).

Now, it’s time to see what the Red Knights are made of in their first game away from home against one of the top teams in the state.

No. 6 Hopkins (2-1)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 vs. St. Louis Park (0-4), Dec. 16 vs. No. 10 Lakeville South (2-1) at Park Center

Ranking rationale: Ken Novak Jr. brought a long a young team last season that battled a tough schedule to post a respectable 19-9 record. The Royals pushed eventual Class 4A state champion Wayzata to the brink in the section championship.

Hopkins is hopeful to reap the rewards of its returning players gaining experience playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the state.

It’s off to a good start this season with the only blemish coming 79-75 Dec. 5 vs. defending 3A state champ, No. 3 Totino-Grace (1-1). It’s sandwiched by quality wins 93-75 vs. one of the top 3A teams, No. 11 Orono (2-1), and 73-72 vs. a perennially tough 4A team in No. 12 East Ridge (0-2)

Sophomore guard Jayden Moore and junior guard Anthony Smith make up one of Minnesota’s top back courts with both capable of going for 20-plus every night. The Royals are a small team, topping out at 6-foot-4.

As long as their small ball lineups don’t cause too much issues against teams with talented big men, Hopkins can use its speed and shot making to outscore a lot of teams.

No. 7 Shakopee (3-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 at No. 1 Wayzata (3-0), Dec. 14 at Chaska (3-1)

Ranking rationale: Shakopee took care of business in the opening week of the season to set up a nice measuring stick game against Wayzata.

The Sabers defended home court with a 61-58 win vs. No. 20 Edina (0-2), 78-69 win vs. Waconia (1-1) and 78-34 rout of Duluth East (0-1). It was imperative to sweep the homestand, or at least win two of three, with four straight road games coming up. Three are against Power 25 teams and the other is Chaska, which was among teams in consideration for the Power 25.

Sbakopee doesn’t always have the stud collegiate prospect. Head coach Jake Dammann has a way of developing a deep roster with plenty of guys who can hurt you.

No. 8 Minnetonka (2-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 vs. Chaska (3-1), Dec. 16 vs. No. 9 Osseo (2-0) at Park Center

Ranking rationale: Minnetonka put on an offensive clinic at an eventful day Dec. 9 at the Tip-Off Classic in Hopkins, winning 103-92 vs. No. 10 Lakeville South (2-1).

This came after another high-quality win coming 85-63 Dec. 1 vs. No. 13 Prior Lake (2-1). The Skippers led that one by 17 at halftime. Future North Dakota State Bison guard Andy Stefonowicz had 18 points, only behind a game-high 21 from senior guard Greyson Uelmen.

Minnetonka is coming off a 23-8 season resulting in a sixth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament.

No. 9 Osseo (2-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 13 vs. Blaine (0-2), Dec. 16 vs. No. 8 Minnetonka (2-0) at Park Center

Ranking rationale: Osseo’s one of the few unbeaten teams who’s yet to play in front of their home fans. The Orioles opened 2023-24 with an 80-63 win Dec. 7 at Irondale (1-1) and a 69-59 win against defending Class 3A runner up No. 17 DeLaSalle (0-1).

This is just the type of start Osseo was hoping for after starting 0-3 in 2022-23. The Orioles recovered to finish 16-13, but they never hit their high-end potential.

Senior point guard De’Mari Larkins is one of the top players in the Northwest Suburban Conference.

No. 10 Lakeville South (2-1)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 at Waconia (1-1), Dec. 15 vs. No. 15 Eastview (1-1), Dec. 16 vs. No. 6 Hopkins (2-1) at Park Center

Ranking rationale: Lakeville South is a team looking to make a step up.

A relatively young squad finished 17-12 and made it to the Class 4A, Section 1 championship. All three of the Cougars’ double-digit per game scorers are back with senior guard Marley Baah-Yeboah (11.7 ppg), senior guard DaMarcus Burks (11.5 ppg) and senior guard Ryan Johnson (10.2 ppg).

South opened with an 86-73 win Dec. 5 vs. No. 19 Eden Prairie (0-2) and followed with a 67-53 win Dec. 7 at 2023 Class 4A fifth-place finisher, Andover (0-2). The lone blemish came in a shootout Dec. 9 at the Tip-Off Classic at Hopkins, 103-92 vs. No. 8 Minnetonka (2-0).

No. 11 Orono (2-1)

his week’s games: Dec. 16 vs. No. 19 Eden Prairie (0-2) at Park Center

Ranking rationale: Orono took third place at the 2023 Class 3A state tournament and finished with a lofty 26-6 record.

Back in the fold to lead another strong team is junior 6-foot-9 power forward Brady Wooley, one of the state’s top recruits in his class. His role expects to increase upon the graduation of 20-plus point-per-game scorer, guard Isaiah Hagen.

Taking Hagen’s scoring mantle is 6-foot-4 junior guard Nolan Groves, who’s putting up 25.3 per game in the early going.

Orono bounced back from a season-opening 93-75 loss Nov. 30 at No. 6 Hopkins (2-1). The Spartans knocked off 2A power Minnehaha Academy (2-1) 69-62 on Dec. 5 and knocked off No. 15 Eastview (1-1) 74-68 Dec. 9 at the Tip-Off Classic at Hopkins.

No. 12 East Ridge (0-2)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 at White Bear Lake (0-2), Dec. 15 vs. No. 18 Mounds View (3-0)

Ranking rationale: There’s no reason to hit the panic button after an 0-2 start. The Raptors are testing themselves early with three straight games against teams that finished in last season’s Power 25.

East Ridge wasn’t quite ready to rumble with state title contender and No. 4 Lakeville North (1-1), falling 83-66 Dec. 5 at home. It was much more competitive against another talented team, dropping 73-72 Dec. 9 vs. No. 6 Hopkins (2-1) at the Tip-Off Classic in Hopkins.

The Raptors look to have chances to rack up some conference wins before some more tough non-conference holiday tournament games.

No. 13 Prior Lake (2-1)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 at No. 19 Eden Prairie (0-2), Dec. 15 vs. No. 1 Wayzata (3-0)

Ranking rationale: Prior Lake is taking on all comers in the west metro in the early part of the schedule. The Lakers dropped their season opener 85-63 Dec. 1 at No. 8 Minnetonka (2-0).

Head coach Jon Miller’s squad righted the ship with a 71-55 win at Chanhassen (0-2) and an 81-73 win vs. Chaska (3-1), which was right on the edge of a spot in the Power 25 this week.

The Lakers are a deep bunch with four players averaging double-digit scoring led by 19 a night from senior point guard Luke Loehlein.

This looks like a team capable of improving on a pedestrian 13-15 record in 2022-23.

No. 14 Mankato East (4-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 14 vs. New Ulm (2-1)

Ranking rationale: Mankato East has won every game by 33 or more. The competition hasn’t been elite thus far, but the Cougars aren’t playing pushovers, either.

East opened the season 78-55 Nov. 30 vs. St. Peter (0-3), 70-35 Dec. 2 vs. New Prague (1-2), 76-38 Dec. 7 at Northfield (0-4) and 83-51 Dec. 9 vs. Buffalo (2-1).

The Buffalo win is the biggest of them all. East doesn’t get a lot of cracks at Class 4A schools. To wallop a state tournament team from a year ago is a nice feather in the cap.

Carson Schweim, a 6-foot-7 senior, leads three double-digit scorers on the team with 18.3 points per game.

No. 15 Eastview (1-1)

This week’s games: Dec. 16 vs. Minneapolis Washburn (1-1) at Park Center

Ranking rationale: Eastview rolled in its season opener 79-56 Dec. 5 vs. Rochester Mayo (0-1). The Lightning's blemish came in a hard-fought 74-68 neutral floor loss Dec. 9 vs. No. 11 Orono (2-1).

Eastview is led by senior 6-foot-7 small forward Jonathan Mekonnen, a high-volume scorer who’s committed to Colorado State. He was a key piece in last season’s team that finished 23-9 and took fourth place at the Class 4A state tournament.

There is an adjustment period this year as Danny Olson takes over as head coach for legendary coach Paul Goetz, who had been at the helm for more than a quarter century

No. 16 Farmington (3-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 vs. No. 20 Edina (0-2), Dec. 15 at No. 19 Eden Prairie (0-2)

Ranking rationale: The law of averages now seem to be working in Farmington’s favor.

The Tigers were one of the more snakebitten teams in 2022-23, losing close game after close game to finish with a 17-11 record with a roster capable of winning 20 or more.

Farmington is now getting it done in tight games, starting 3-0 with each win decided by 12 points or fewer.

The Tigers edged Rochester Century (1-1) 80-78 Dec. 1 in Farmington. They again defended home court with a 66-56 win Dec. 7 vs. Bloomington Jefferson (1-1) and earned a neutral floor win 74-62 Dec. 9 vs. No. 22 Cretin-Derham Hall (0-1).

Farmington has yet to face a top-end squad, but it will get chances to soon enough in the deep South Suburban Conference.

No. 17 DeLaSalle (0-1)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 at Richfield (2-0), Dec. 15 vs. Robbinsdale Cooper (0-1)

Ranking rationale: DeLaSalle could be underrated here. There’s not much to grade the Islanders off of with just one game under their belts. That was a respectable 69-59 loss Dec. 9 vs. No. 9 Osseo (2-0) at the Tip-Off Classic in Hopkins.

DLS is a motivated bunch after falling by four points last season in the Class 3A state championship. That group went 26-6 and won yet another Tri-Metro Conference title.

Head coach Todd Anderson has to guide this team without star point guard Nasir Whitlock, who put up nearly 25 points per game. When you’re a program with 24 state titles, you tend to reload rather than rebuild.

No. 18 Mounds View (3-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 11 vs. New Richmond, Wisconsin; Dec. 13 vs. Stillwater (1-1), Dec. 15 at No. 12 East Ridge (0-2)

Ranking rationale: It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Mustangs are happy to have a zero next to the loss column.

After routing Northfield (0-4) 95-51 Dec. 2 at home, Mounds View hung on for a 74-73 win Dec. 5 vs. Spring Lake Park (1-2) and 52-49 Dec. 8 at Mahtomedi (0-4).

The Mustangs finished 17-11 last season. They’re a team that could do some damage in what could be a wide open race in the Suburban East Conference.

No. 19 Eden Prairie (0-2)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 vs. No. 13 Prior Lake (2-1), Dec. 15 vs. No. 16 Farmington (3-0), Dec. 16 at No. 2 Park Center (4-0)

Ranking rationale: A coaching change, key injuries and an early departure for the team’s top player led to a tumultuous 2022-23 season for Eden Prairie. Mix in a demanding schedule, and you get a disappointing 11-14 record.

The bright side is the Eagles had a lot of youth they brought along. Three double-digit scorers are back for the next two seasons in the form of 6-foot-2 junior guard Max Lorenson (14.4 ppg), 6-foot-2 junior guard J.J. Sullivan (10.6 ppg) and 6-foot-6 junior guard Nolen Anderson (10.5 ppg).

They’re still taking their lumps with a pair of back-to-back losses to open 2023-24. They can take solace in the way they scored against top competition, falling 86-73 Dec. 5 vs. No. 10 Lakeville South (2-1) and 82-77 Dec. 7 at No. 5 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-0).

No. 20 Edina (0-2)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 at No. 16 Farmington (3-0), Dec. 15 vs. Chanhassen (0-2)

Ranking rationale: I’m sure it won’t cause any consternation putting a pair of border rivals in Eden Prairie and Edina back to back in this week’s Power 25. The double round robin Lake Conference schedule will allow these two to match up to ultimately decide who’s better.

Like Eden Prairie, Edina lost its first two games to tough teams. EP gave the two teams’ common opponent, No. 5 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-0), a tougher game.

EP lost 82-77 and Edina fell 64-44 Dec. 9 at B-SM. The Hornets were much more competitive in their season opener, a 61-58 Dec. 5 loss at No. 7 Shakopee (3-0).

Edina is looking to build upon a 14-12 season in 2022-23.

No. 21 Tartan (2-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 14 vs. Minneapolis Washburn (1-1)

Ranking rationale: Tartan took care of business in the first week of the season. The Titans don’t have the most daunting schedule, so they could rack up a lofty record when it’s all said and done.

Head coach Mark Klingsporn’s squad won 76-53 at St. Paul Harding (1-1) and added a solid 60-49 neutral court win vs. Robbinsdale Armstrong (1-1) at the Tip-Off Classic. Tartan has three players averaging double digit points so far with senior guard Jazayah Gates leading with 13.0.

The Titans return most of their production from a squad that finished 17-11 overall and 11-5 in the Metro East Conference.

No. 22 Rogers (4-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 vs. Buffalo (2-1), Dec. 15 vs. Anoka (2-0)

Ranking rationale: Rogers is already halfway to last season’s win total and we’re not even to the holiday break yet. The Royals haven’t taken on a Power 25 opponent yet, but any positive momentum after an 8-19 season is welcome.

Head coach Mike Pomroy’s team beat a 22-6 team from a season ago, Brainerd (1-2), 76-69 on Nov. 30. Rogers followed with an 83-64 Dec. 2 win vs. Centennial (1-3), eeked out a 62-60 win at St. Michael-Albertville (1-1) and won 86-65 Dec. 8 at Spring Lake Park.

Five players are averaging double-figure scoring led by 17.5 a night from senior guard Blake Dalluge. 

No. 23 Cretin-Derham Hall (0-1)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 at Park of Cottage Grove (0-1), Dec. 14 vs. Irondale (1-1), Dec. 16 at Maple Grove (1-3) at Park Center

Ranking rationale: Cretin-Derham Hall was in good shape to pick up a nice non-conference win in the season opener, leading No. 16 Farmington (3-0) by one at the half Dec. 9 at the Tip-Off Classic. Things went south over the final 18 minutes with the Raiders falling 74-62.

C-DH is expected to be an improved bunch following last season’s 14-14 campaign against a difficult schedule. Head coach Jerry Kline has taken his team to multiple state tournaments and could get back there in 2024 in Class 4A, Section 4 that looks to be wide open.

No. 24 Woodbury (2-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 12 vs. Irondale (1-1), Dec. 15 vs. Roseville (1-0)

Ranking rationale: Woodbury picked up a couple double-digit victories to open up 2023-24. The Royals won 59-47 Dec. 5 at St. Paul Central (1-1) and 74-53 vs. Centennial (1-3).

It’s just the start they’re looking for after a 4-23 mark last season. St. Paul Central was 15-9 last season and is a section foe. Junior guard Marquivion Beasley led a balanced score sheet in that game with 14 points.

No. 25 Breck (2-0)

This week’s games: Dec. 14 at Apple Valley (2-1)

Ranking rationale: The addition of Bloomington Jefferson transfer Daniel Freitag is already paying huge dividends for the Mustangs.

The future Wisconsin Badger point guard helped Breck to a 71-68 neutral court win vs. Class 3A power Alexandria (1-1) Dec. 9 at the Tip-Off Classic. Freitag got a glimpse of future Big 10 rival Grayson Grove, a forward headed to the University of Minnesota.

The Mustangs are one of the favorites in 2A after a 19-9 season in 2022-23. They’ll get a few chances in the non-conference slate to test against 4A schools, as well as a home date with fellow 2A state title contender, Holy Family (2-1).

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