Conference Preview: The Suburban East Showdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Suburban East Conference runs through East Ridge and Cretin-Derham Hall this season, with both teams returning talent, experience, and depth. Stillwater and White Bear Lake look to stay competitive, while Roseville and Forest Lake lurk as dark horses. Expect tight games and plenty of drama from top to bottom. Here's how we see it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FAVORITES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After cruising to a 17–1 conference record last season, East Ridge entered sections as the heavy favorite to reach its first-ever state tournament – until Roseville had other plans in the section semis. This year, the Raptors return with a sharper edge and a clear mission: finish the job. Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id='351665' first='Vienna' last='Murray'], the No. 3-ranked player in the 2026 class, leads the charge and plans to go out with a bang. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='502535' first='Taylor' last='Klauer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1322423' first='Kaliyah' last='Taugasolo-Wilks'] bring veteran leadership and perimeter scoring to complement Murray's dynamic play. In the frontcourt, sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='815083' first='Amelia' last='Ecker'] anchors the paint while [player_tooltip player_id='1133948' first='Brooke' last='Estochen'] provides an inside-out punch – strong enough to score on the block and skilled enough to stretch defenses from the perimeter. With experience, firepower, and motivation from last year's heartbreak, the Raptors have all the pieces to control the conference and make program history. Anything less than a state tournament trip won't cut it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cretin-Derham Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cretin-Derham Hall went 12-6 in conference play last season, finishing third in a tough Suburban East schedule, and proved they belong among the state's best by going 2-2 in the 3A state tournament. That experience has this group hungry and positioned to challenge for the crown this time around. The Raiders feature a talented young core with freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='939003' first='Isabella' last='Deleeuw'], [player_tooltip player_id='897060' first='Madeleine' last='Hamiel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1279505' first='Teagan' last='Jacobs'] – all poised to play key roles and set the tone for the program's future. Balancing that youth is a steady veteran trio in [player_tooltip player_id='1164957' first='Sage' last='Gilbert'], who averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds last season, versatile wing [player_tooltip player_id='1048330' first='Gabby' last='Hoban'], and interior presence [player_tooltip player_id='1048328' first='Joey' last='Hover']. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='852805' first='Anna' last='Buri'] adds poise and balance in the backcourt. With talent, depth, and leadership across all classes, coach Tara Gunderson has an embarrassment of riches and a group fully capable of contending for both a conference and state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CONTENDERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stillwater</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stillwater finished 14-4 last season, taking second in a tough Suburban East where half the league finished .500 or better. The Ponies will be young this year, with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1209367' first='Ailee' last='Peper'] and <strong>Robin Thury</strong> stepping into bigger roles and expected to carry more of the load. Senior post [player_tooltip player_id='662405' first='Addison' last='Bergstad'], standing 6'1, will see her responsibilities increase tenfold as she anchors the paint. Coach Tim Peper will also look to a few seasoned seniors to provide stability and leadership as this group looks to reload, not rebuild. With talent and structure in place, Stillwater should remain a conference contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>White Bear Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White Bear Lake went 12-6 last season, finishing tied for third in the always-tough Suburban East. The Bears return three key seniors in <strong>Sophia Menier</strong>, <strong>Chloe Theissen</strong>, and <strong>Madeleine Thompson</strong>—all SEC honorable mention selections who bring experience and leadership. With back-to-back state tournament appearances, this group has proven they know what it takes to win. The challenge now is embracing a next-player-up mentality, as new contributors will need to step out of their comfort zones and into bigger roles. Under Coach Jeremy Post, there's no settling – this group may not have the same firepower as last year, but they'll still be tough to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roseville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roseville features a strong backcourt with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='658914' first='Mira' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='773429' first='Maddie' last='Sundberg'] (All-SEC), alongside versatile sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='990285' first='Kiyanah' last='McGriff'] (All-SEC) and emerging post [player_tooltip player_id='991090' first='Peyton' last='George']. The Raiders went 9-9 in conference play last season but made noise in the postseason, knocking off section favorite East Ridge in the semifinals. This group plays with grit and defensive toughness, never backing down regardless of opponent. With leadership, balance, and a proven ability to rise in big moments, Roseville is the kind of team you can never count out –they just find ways to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DARK HORSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Forest Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm picking the Rangers as my Dark Horse in the conference because of their experience and shooting. Leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='937656' first='Kendal' last='Damon'] (South Dakota School of Mines) sets the tone, with fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='773405' first='Hailey' last='DeReu'] (Hamline) and [player_tooltip player_id='515674' first='Aubree' last='Hultman'] (Dakota State) providing balance and leadership. <strong>Natalie Krutzig</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1264759' first='Savanna' last='Puent'] add depth to a senior-heavy lineup that knows how to play together. Keep an eye on 8th grader [player_tooltip player_id='1345576' first='Jasmine' last='Mata'] – she's dynamic, fearless, and could be the spark that helps the Rangers surprise some teams this season. With this mix of veteran poise and young talent, Forest Lake shouldn't be overlooked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='515689' first='Megan' last='Doughty'], guard, Woodbury (Mayville State) – The 6'0 Doughty is as competitive as they come, and she's determined to elevate her game and lead the charge in her senior season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='804247' first='Brielle' last='Gray'], guard, East Ridge – The dynamic guard, if healthy could be the key component to the Raptor's success.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1120672' first='Jaycie' last='Helmer'], guard, Mounds View – The 8th grader averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists last season –impressive numbers for someone so young competing in such a tough conference.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Graycie Smith,</strong> guard, Park Cottage Grove – The floor general does it all for the Wolfpack and will look to carry that same impact into her final high school season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Belle O'Brien</strong>, post, Irondale – The senior post led the Knights to their first section win in over 15 years last season, and she's determined to build on that momentum.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->