Here’s the Minnesota Top 25, the Star Tribune’s statewide, class-crossing ranking of high school boys basketball teams
Players new to school likely will make a difference for No. 1 Cretin-Derham Hall, basketball writer Ron Haggstrom notes. Nos. 2 and 3 are regulars atop any such list.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
December 5, 2024 at 8:16PM
Records through Wednesday
1. Cretin-Derham Hall (1-0): Transfers and talent make the Raiders the favorite.
2. Wayzata (1-0): Coach Bryan Schnettler’s program has reached the championship game the past four years.
3. Hopkins (1-0): Senior Anthony Smith and junior Jayden Moore form the best backcourt in the state.
4. Totino-Grace (0-1, Class 3A): The Eagles, led by junior Dothan Ijadimbola, eye a fourth consecutive state championship.
5. Mankato East (0-0, Class 3A): The Cougars were the runner-up a year ago. Can they clear the final hurdle?
6. Alexandria (0-0, Class 3A): Last chance for Clemson recruit Chase Thompson and the Cardinals to make a run at a title.
7. Orono (0-0, Class 3A): Seniors Nolan Groves and Brady Wooley will make them tough to beat.
8. Shakopee (0-1): Three starters return on a senior-laden team.
9. Farmington (0-0): State tournament drought ended after 87 years last season.
10. Sauk Rapids-Rice (0-0): Don’t sleep on the Storm’s senior core.
11. Park Center (0-1): The Pirates and coach James Ware reload.
12. Champlin Park (1-0): The Rebels look to return to prominence.
13. DeLaSalle (0-0, Class 3A): Counting on senior leadership for promising sophomores.
14. Albany (1-0, Class 2A): Aggressive defensive group that plays with pace.
15. Breck (1-0, Class 2A): The Mustangs have sights set on going back-to-back.
16. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (0-0, Class 3A): Jalen Wilson’s team. How far can he take the Red Knights?
17. Tartan (1-0): The Titans are coming off a 24-5 season under coach Mark Klingsporn’s outstanding leadership.
18. Caledonia (0-0, Class 2A): Ten seniors in this veteran group.
19. Maple Grove (0-0): The Crimson are loaded with perimeter players.
20. St. Louis Park (0-0): Don’t underestimate the Curtis twins, 6-8 senior forwards Marley and Micah.
21. Lakeville North (1-0): Coach John Oxton’s squad isn’t accustomed to not being favored in Section 1.
22. East Ridge (0-1): Junior guard Cedric Tomes must be a steadying force for the Raptors.
23. Faribault (2-0, Class 3A): The Falcons’ program is on the rise.
24. Stewartville (0-0, Class 3A): A quick turnaround for back-to-back state champion football players.
25. Richfield (1-0, Class 3A): Senior guard CJ Armstrong is special for the Spartans.
Basketball Across Minnesota: Peter Arigu has trained top players on one of the finer points of the game, their footwork.
