Conference preview: Who to watch in the Metro East

Up until last season there were some epic battles in the Metro East conference between Mahtomedi and Hastings. The gyms were raucous, the effort level was outstanding, and the outcome was nearly always in doubt. No wonder, then, that both rosters were riddled with star attractions. Hastings was led by 2018 #10 <strong>Krystal Carlson</strong>, a gifted forward who moved on to the University of Sioux Falls. Mahtomedi’s big cheese was #6-ranked <strong>Emma Grothaus</strong>, who had an memorable final 12 months before college, and now plays at Division 1 Lehigh. Hastings also had then-sophomore <strong>Mallory Brake</strong> (Creighton) while Mahtomedi relied heavily on top-40 prospect <strong>Annika Sougstad</strong> (MIT). Those were the days, weren’t they? Of that group, only Brake was still around last season and she’s back again for one last hurrah. Everything else has changed. The power in the Metro East appears to have shifted to 2920 80th Street East in Inver Grove Heights. That would be the home of Simley High School, last year’s champions who currently boast four of the top seniors in Minnesota:  <strong>Zareia Chevre</strong> (Monmouth), <strong>TeeTee Danso</strong> (Bradley), <strong>Sydney Stensgard</strong> (Montana State) and <strong>Ravyn Miles</strong>. The Spartans also have top-25 sophomore <strong>Champ Danso</strong>. Simley went 13-1 in the conference last season. With all of that talent, athleticism and experience, the folks in Las Vegas would no doubt advise us to put a dollar or two on the Spartans. However… Our friends at 2625 Larpenteur Avenue East in Maplewood might beg to differ. That would be the home of the Hill-Murray School. After all, the Pioneers finished just one game behind Simley at 12-2 last year. The deciding contest was played on the final day of the regular season with the Spartans prevailing by a single solitary basket. The difference in 2019-20 is the impact of graduation. Hill-Murray will be without its veteran core – <strong>Vanessa Wren</strong>, <strong>Delaney Runyon</strong> and <strong>Grace Prokosch</strong>, who left with great memories and an aggregate of 29 points per game. Hill’s cupboard isn’t exactly bare, though, and the Pioneers’ long history of great team defense and player development bodes well. Hill-Murray will be led by the #31-ranked junior <strong>Lilly Mackley</strong>, who is coming off an incredible summer. She averaged 11 ppg last year as did her fellow junior <strong>Bella Hartzell</strong>, who is at #63. Look for athletic 5’11 sophomore <strong>Ella Runyon</strong> to have a breakout season. Last year’s third-place finisher was Henry Sibley at 11-3. The Warriors rode the coattails of the amazing <strong>Tori Nelson</strong> for years. The lengthy forward averaged 23 ppg, including a high-water mark of 51 against Hastings. Alas, Tori is now doing her scoring at South Dakota State. That leaves things in the hands of current seniors <strong>Sese Burks</strong>, <strong>Hope Korte</strong> and <strong>Jaelyn Orth</strong>, along with sophomore <strong>Jaylen Rosga</strong>. Mahtomedi will be very interesting to watch. They have a new coaching staff, a nice core of seniors and some exciting young talent. If things come together well the Zephyrs, who went 6-8 in the Metro East last season, are going to surprise some people. Junior <strong>Ella Hronski</strong>, the #33-rated prospect in the 2021 class, is a dynamic wing/guard who has continued to improve every year. Standout guard <strong>Zoey Washington</strong> is a top-15 freshman who will no doubt have a huge impact. Combined with a core of solid seniors – <strong>Julia Salmen</strong>, <strong>Saley Underwood</strong> and <strong>Aubree Cummins</strong> – along with underclassmen <strong>Zoie Centers</strong> and <strong>Anna Raney</strong>, the Zephyrs are on the way back up. How far up remains to be seen. Who knows where Tartan fits into the picture. The Titans have lost three of their top five players in senior <strong>Nevaeh Moeschter</strong> (Iowa Central) and junior <strong>Takara Mason</strong>, who both transferred to Cretin-Derham Hall over the summer, and the graduated <strong>Kendra Ekereke</strong>, who is now at Bemidji State. We just learned that senior <strong>Aurora Roberts</strong> will be graduating early, which puts her out of the picture, as well. That leaves seniors <strong>Ka’Tia Cummings </strong>and <strong>Bryanna Bell</strong> to carry the load for first-year coach Zack Vogelsberg. <strong>TOP 10 TALENT TO SEE</strong> These are the top 10 players to watch in the Metro East conference, along with a few more notable names. <strong>Mallory Brake</strong> – #5 senior forward, Hastings (Creighton) <strong>Zareia Chevre</strong> – #11 senior forward, Simley (Monmouth) <strong>TeeTee Danso</strong> – #13 senior forward, Simley (Bradley) <strong>Sydney Stensgard</strong> – #23 senior guard, Simley (Montana State) <strong>Lilli Mackley</strong> – #31 junior guard, Hill-Murray <strong>Ella Hronski</strong> – #33 junior guard, Mahtomedi <strong>Zoey Washington</strong> – #15 freshman guard, Mahtomedi <strong>Champ Danso</strong> – #24 sophomore forward, Simley <strong>Ka’Tia Cummings</strong> – #76 senior guard, Tartan <strong>Ravyn Miles</strong>– #30 senior guard, Simley (coming off an ACL injury) <strong>5 MORE NOTABLES</strong> <strong>Bella Hartzell</strong> – junior guard, Hill-Murray <strong>Julia Salmen</strong> – senior guard, Mahtomedi (Viterbo) <strong>Sese Burks</strong> – senior guard, Henry Sibley <strong>Lilly Nyutten</strong> – sophomore forward, Hastings <strong>Saley Underwood</strong> – senior guard, Mahtomedi <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>Top photo: Senior Zareia Chevre leads Simley in its quest for a Metro East conference title. (Photo courtesy of StarTribune)</em></span>