Conference Preview: What to watch for in the Tri-Metro

In a normal year we would be two weeks into the season by now, having watched a ton of great basketball at the Breakdown Tipoff and the Thanksgiving tournaments. In fact, I had already seen more than 80 high school teams by the 9th of December 12 months ago. This year, I have seen a grand total of nada. Nothing. Zilch. Zero. Yes, 2020 has been far from normal, and even the delayed beginning to the season has now been delayed again. Who knows when the kids will actually return to the court. Regardless, we’re hopeful that there will be a season and Prep Girls Hoops is moving full steam ahead to give you a look into what might lie ahead. Beginning today we’re launching a series of conference previews. We won’t cover all 50 leagues, but we will take a look at a dozen or more of the most competitive circuits where the majority of the best 500 players in Minnesota do their thing. If the season delay continues longer than any of us hope we’ll probably look at even more conferences. First up it’s the Tri-Metro where the annual battle between DeLaSalle and Holy Angels is sure to heat up once again. This time around, however, a senior-laden team of Crusaders from St. Croix Lutheran might just stick its nose into the title chase in a very serious way. There are 17 ranked players in the conference led by St. Croix Lutheran freshman [player_tooltip player_id="178263" first="Laura" last="Hauge"], who is rated #4 in the class of 2024 and is entering her third season as a varsity standout. Of those 17, there are six seniors, seven juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen. Not surprisingly, 15 of the 17 are on the top three teams. Here’s a look at what you can expect in the Tri-Metro, along with some of the top performers to watch. A THREE-WAY RACE TO THE TOP DeLaSalle (13-1) DeLaSalle is DeLaSalle, and the expectations are always high. Last year the Islanders came within a game of defending their class AAA state championship against Becker before the state tournament was shut down in the early days of the pandemic. That seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? This year, however, there are a lot of questions floating around Nicollet Island due to some significant changes in the Islanders program. Gone is head coach Tanysha Scott, who left at season’s end before landing in Roseville. She was replaced by James Fassett. Gone is Division I prospect [player_tooltip player_id="110529" first="Nurjei" last="Weems"], who was a crucial piece of her team’s success. Also gone are two more elite talents – 2022 #8 [player_tooltip player_id="12727" first="Kiani" last="Lockett"] to Minnetonka and 2023 #6 [player_tooltip player_id="108306" first="Kennedy" last="Klick"] to Roseville. There’s still plenty of talent but depth may turn out to be an issue. DLS is led by 2022 #13 [player_tooltip player_id="12747" first="Savannah" last="White"] and #26 [player_tooltip player_id="12736" first="Sydney" last="Runsewe"]. Junior power forward [player_tooltip player_id="109129" first="Mya" last="Williams"] will need to step up, too. Holy Angels (12-2) The Stars figure to be just as good as they were last winter and last winter they made the state class AAA tournament for the 5th year in a row. While twin sisters [player_tooltip player_id="110911" first="Emma" last="Henry"] and [player_tooltip player_id="110912" first="Isabelle" last="Henry"] have graduated, the Stars return four proven starters, including top-20 senior [player_tooltip player_id="2117" first="Frankie" last="Vascellaro"]. Averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, Frankie is a legitimate D1 prospect. She hasn’t committed yet, but that’s because she’s working on an unusual post-high school path for an elite player. Her fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id="109792" first="Rachel" last="Kawiecki"] (Gustavus) is a true leader. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="109141" first="Kassie" last="Caron"] (14 & 4) and [player_tooltip player_id="147450" first="Grace" last="Massaquoi"] 11 & 7) are both next-level players. AHA coach Dan Woods doesn’t often play freshmen but he has a good one to consider this year in 2024 #43 [player_tooltip player_id="215984" first="Kiera" last="O’Rourke"]. I know what I would do. St. Croix Lutheran (11-3) Coach David Mielke’s Crusaders boast a veteran-laden lineup and one of the brightest young stars in the state. The seniors include 6’0 power forward [player_tooltip player_id="109780" first="Lucia" last="Hauge"] (14 & 6) and two highly-versatile, battle-tested guards in [player_tooltip player_id="109772" first="Makenna" last="Moon"] (12 & 3) and [player_tooltip player_id="109786" first="Juel" last="Skrein"] (18 & 3). Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="186133" first="Ella" last="Avery"] is a big factor, too. And then there is combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="178263" first="Laura" last="Hauge"]. The #4-rated prospect in the class of 2024, who already holds high major collegiate offers, is entering her third varsity season. Nobody shoots it better from long distance. Nobody. If it all comes together for the 20-win Crusaders, this just might be their year. THE REST OF THE FIELD St. Anthony Village (7-8), Fridley (5-9), Visitation (5-9) and Richfield (4-10) will most likely be fighting it out for fourth. That will be a tough ask for St. Anthony as they lost four players to graduation, including elite point guard [player_tooltip player_id="110538" first="Sam" last="Sibbet"]t (Chandler-Gilbert CC) and mainstay [player_tooltip player_id="110900" first="Anica" last="Thomas"] . Senior Emilie Nogosek (7.8 ppg) is the top returner for coach M.J. Hadler. Fridley lost Ah’Janay Yancy to graduation leaving senior guard Cadence Hansen (13 & 7) as coach Drew Reiter’s most potent offensive weapon. Sophomores Taleigha Powell and Amayah Brown-Grindeland will be the key pieces for Richfield coach Tre Jackson along with senior Fametta Zubah as the Spartans build on the success of their 17-win campaign. Visitation, which lost six players to graduation, will be led by strong juniors [player_tooltip player_id="109191" first="Caroline" last="Fenlon"], Olivia Johanns and [player_tooltip player_id="147463" first="Ellen" last="Slawin"]. We’re not sure what to expect from Brooklyn Center which last year elected to play only a non-conference schedule. That leaves Columbia Heights, which went 0-14 in Tri-Metro play and 1-23 overall. They have two nice prospects in 2023 #53 [player_tooltip player_id="148317" first="Lilah" last="Bergen"] and #117 [player_tooltip player_id="220840" first="Saniah" last="Howard-Reynolds"], along with senior Sakhia Howard-Reynolds. It remains to be seen if there are enough other pieces to help improve. TOP 5 PROSPECTS IN THE TRI-METRO <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="178263" first="Laura" last="Hauge"] – freshman guard, St. Croix Lutheran (#4)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="12747" first="Savannah" last="White"] – junior guard, DeLaSalle (#13)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="2117" first="Frankie" last="Vascellaro"] – junior forward, Holy Angels (#19)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="12736" first="Sydney" last="Runsewe"] – junior guard, DeLaSalle (#26)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="109141" first="Kassie" last="Caron"] – junior guard, Holy Angels (#42)</li> </ul> 10 MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="148317" first="Lilah" last="Bergen"] – The 5’8 sophomore guard from Columbia Heights is ranked 53rd among Minnesota sophomores. The Hylanders have struggled of late but Bergen is key to their revival.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="147450" first="Grace" last="Massaquoi"] – The 6’0 junior forward from Holy Angels had a breakout season last year and has risen to #77 with plenty more ceiling available.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="109772" first="Makenna" last="Moon"] –The 5’7 senior guard from St. Croix Lutheran is a top-100 performer who is skilled, versatile and effective. The Crusaders are a veteran unit and Moon is a vital piece.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="109780" first="Lucia" last="Hauge"] – The 6’0 forward from St. Croix Lutheran is a top 100 senior who averaged 10 points and 12 rebounds per game last season. She is a low-key impact performer who is crucial to the Crusaders’ fortunes.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="109792" first="Rachel" last="Kawiecki"] – The 6’0 senior forward from Holy Angels will play both softball and basketball at Gustavus next year. The top 125 prospect is a physical force inside who can also score.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="220840" first="Saniah" last="Howard-Reynolds"] – The crafty 5’5 guard from Columbia Heights was recently added to the 2023 rankings, earning the #117 position. She’s quick, agile and much-improved.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="109786" first="Juel" last="Skrein"] – The top 125 senior guard from St. Croix Lutheran is one of the most under-appreciated players in the 2021 class. Averaged 18 ppg as a junior.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="215984" first="Kiera" last="O’Rourke"] – The 5’10 freshman guard from Holy Angels, ranked #43 in the class of 2024, is long and athletic, with a ton of upside. If she gets the opportunity she could be a factor for the Stars.</li> <li>Cadence Hansen – The 5’6 guard from Fridley is an unranked senior who is definitely a sleeper in the class. A great team leader with a big motor.</li> <li>Samantha Wills – Who knows how much playing time the big 8th grader from Visitation will get but she is the Blazers’ best college prospect by a fair margin. One of the premier players in the class of 2025.</li> </ul> Top photo: Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="147450" first="Grace" last="Massaquoi"] of Holy Angels is a player on the rise.