A season ago, Caledonia rode a dramatic three overtime win in the section title game to make state. There, Brad King’s group (29-2) took third place. R-P (22-5) and SG (24-5) had excellent seasons making the 1A semis. The Lions were SEC-East champs. Chatfield (17-11), Lanesboro (16-11), and L-O (16-11) had good years. FC (9-18), GM (11-16), Kingsland (11-16), M-C (8-19), and Houston (1-25) will look for improvement. In the SEC, the conference is back to playing everyone twice, which means a 20-game league schedule.
The top team from the “Journal 11” boys’ clubs last season were the Caledonia Warriors. Brad King’s group won the TRC-East title (12-0). They out-lasted PEM in triple OT in the 1AA title game to win the section. Team Cal then took third place at state, beating Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 74-58. Caledonia’s state loss was to champion Annandale (in the semis). The Warriors finished a fantastic 29-2. But it will be a hockey-style line change this year. The Warriors graduated seven seniors. Six were every-game guys. Included were three All-TRC picks, Eli King (6’3 G > 19.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 4.2 SPG), Jackson Koepke (6’4” G > 16.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG), and Ja’Shon Simpson (6’3” G > 12.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG), plus All-TRC HM selections Thane Meiners (6’0” G > 7.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG) and Chris Pieper (6’3” F > 6.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG). King, now at Iowa State. was a Mr. Minnesota basketball finalist, the Warriors third all-time scorer. Caledonia returns only a trio of every game guys in Lewis Doyle (6’0” Jr. G), Mason King (5’10” So. G), and Brett Schultz (6’3” Sr. F). And the latter’s availability is in question per a knee injury. It will be a lot of new Warriors looking to prove themselves. Caledonia has three returning varsity seniors, juniors, and sophomores. Seniors Payton Konz (6’4” F) and Caleb Conniff (6’1” G), juniors Drew Yahnke (6’2” G) and Mason Schroeder (6’1” G), and sophomores Reid Klug (5’9” G) and Ben Stemper (5’10” G) join the already mentioned. Team Cal has their TRC schedule plus the Decorah Border Battle (Decorah), Rice Lake at the La Crosse Center, and the HVL/TRC showdown (Pine Island). Home non-con games are with Stewartville and Triton. Road non-con games are Onalaska, Lake City, La Crosse-Aquinas, La Crosse-Central, Maple River, and Cannon Falls.
Spring Grove is loaded for a repeat, returning all but one player from last year’s 24-5 success. Four of the five losses came against state-ranked teams, including two state champions (Minnesota and Iowa.) Wade Grinde’s Lions defeated all five larger-enrollment opponents, won the SEC East Division for the 11th time in 12 years, and reached the section semis before falling to the eventual state champion, Hayfield. Within the SEC, it took overtime to edge 23-win West champ Lyle/Pacelli by two points. L/P and SG could again rule their respective SEC roosts. The Athletics return three All-SEC players and the Lions two. Last year’s lone SG graduate was All-SEC HM post Carson Gerard, the team’s leading rebounder (5.7 RPG) and third leading scorer (7.5 PPG). But returning are the other 12 Lions, including both All-SEC performers among 10 letter winners. All-SEC three-year player Tysen Grinde (6’3” Sr. G > 16.0 PPG, 5-3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 4.8 SPG) led the SEC in steals and also led the Lions in scoring and assists, ranking second in rebounds. All-SEC, Lion M.V.P., and three-year letterwinner Elijah Solum (6’2” Jr. G > 15.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.6 SPG) shot a strong 37% from three-point range. Two other starters back are three-year Hunter Holland (5’9” Sr. G > 2.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG) and two-year Jaxon Strinmoen (6’5” Jr. G/F > 6.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.1 SPG). Two-year Caleb Griffin (5’10” Sr. G > 3.2 PPG) started five games while Logan Brumm (5’11” Sr. F) and Jacob Olerud (6’1” Jr. G > 4.4 PPG, 36% threes, 83% FT) saw significant action. Besides two SEC games with L/P, tough tests await at the R-P Tournament (Dawson-Boyd, Higher Ground) and at the Breakdown Classic in Byron (Mankato-Loyola). Other non-league opponents include R-P, FC and La Crescent-Hokah.
Rushford-Peterson had a strong season last year. The Trojans went 10-3 in the TRC. They were 1A’s two seed, falling to three-seed Goodhue 44-42 in overtime in the semis. The Trojans finished at 22-5. Chris Drinkall will be retooling this year. He graduated two of three All-TRC picks in Justin Ruberg (6’3” F > 17.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 58% FGs) and Malachi Bunke (6’0” G > 12.9 PPG, 78 made threes, 37% clip). Ruberg was a three-year All-league pick, a four-year starter who finished with over 1,000 career points. Ruberg and Bunke were the team’s top two scorers. All-TRC HM pick Andrew Hoiness (6’0” G > 5.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.1 SPG) also moved on. R-P’s sole returning honored player is super-quick off-the-dribble guy, Grady Hengel (5’9” Sr G > 8.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, team-leading 3.6 APG). Also back is shooter Dawson Bunke (6’4” Jr. F > 9.4 PPG, 70 made threes), the top returning scorer. Sampson Wilkemeyer (6’2” Jr. G) is a third key returnee. Riley Tesch (5’11” G), Miles Anderson (6’3” F), and Owen Fenske (6’0” F) give the Trojans four seniors. R-P’s season includes the Decorah Border Battle (North Fayette) and a home two-game Christmas Tourney. Other home non-con games are with Schaeffer, M-C, and Houston. Road non-con games are with Randolph (season-opener), Lanesboro, L/P, GM, Hayfield, and SG. Match-ups with fellow 1A section semifinalists the Vikings and Lions are back-to-back in February.
Done with a highly successful football campaign, Chatfield will about face to authoring another good basketball season. Albeit, because of gridiron injuries, they won’t make 100% until into the New Year. The Gophers went 8-7 in the TRC last season. They won a 1AA Round of 16 game but then fell to PEM 66-44 in the quarters. Jeremy McBroom’s group finished 17-11. Chatfield had a seven-man rotation. Six (all seniors) return. The Gophers will ride a strong senior class. They return two All-TRC players, Drew Schindler (6’0” Sr. G) and Cole Johnson (6’4” Sr. G/F). Schindler (15.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.3 SPG) was the Gophers top scorer, making 40% of his threes (63 total). Johnson was their jack-of-all-trades guard, averaging 10.7 PPG, a team-best 5.5 APG, 3.7 RPG, and 2.5 SPG. He repeated as All-TRC. Also back are All-TRC HM selections Eli Hopp (6’0” Sr. G > 10.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.4 SPG) and Isaac Stevens (6’3” Sr. F > 9.4 PPG, team-best 6.4 RPG, 52% FGs), plus Drew O’Connor (6’4” Sr. F > 6.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG) and Sam Backer (6’0” Sr. F/G > 5.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG). Johnson and O’Connor out per football injuries. Luke Carrier (6’0” Sr. F) and Myles Remme (6’0” Sr. G) give the Gophers eight seniors. Chatfield has the WSU Holiday Tourney (Winona High, Z-M) and the HVL/TRC showdown (Z-M). Home non-con games are with Lourdes, Cannon Falls, PI, Maple River, Goodhue, and Lake City. Road non-con games are with BP and Triton.
Looking to improve upon last year’s solid season will be the Lanesboro Burros. Matt Asleson’s group went 9-5 in the SEC, taking second in the East to Spring Grove. The Burros fell in the 1A Round of 16 to Southland, 75-53. They finished 16-11 overall. An even better season wouldn’t be out of the question. Lanesboro returns five of its top eight players including its top four scorers. Said cast is headed by fifth-year player, senior John Prestemon (6’0” G). Prestmon has had the ball in his hands a lot for the Burros. He is a three-time All-SEC 2nd team guard who averaged team bests in scoring (13.6 PPG), rebounding (6.4 RPG), assists (5.2 APG), and steals (2.7 SPG) last year. Also back is fellow All-SEC 2nd team pick, Mason Howard (6’0” Jr. G), who emerged, averaging 12.0 PPG, hitting 72 threes at a 40% clip. Interior player Stephan Schultz (6’2” Sr. F > 9.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG) gives Lanesboro three 9-plus PPG guys. Parker Storhoff (5’8” Sr. G > 5.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG) and Logan Torgerson (6’3” Sr. F > 3.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG) add to the continuity. Logan Wilder (5’11” G) and Trae Mathison (5’9” G) give the Burros six seniors. Lanesboro has the Decorah Border Battle (Kee) and holiday game at Randolph. Other road non-con games are with Alden-Conger and Cotter. Home non-con games are with R-P and FC, the latter on February 16.
Fillmore Central begins the years with tempered optimism. The Falcons are coming off a state football run, and return many of the same players for basketball. Injuries hold their expectations. They won’t be 100% until into the New Year. Brady O’Connor’s group went 4-10 in the TRC a season ago. They lost to L/P 78-70 in the 1A Round of 16. The Falcons graduated zero seniors and return their top eight players, a cast headed by All-TRC selection Jayce Kiehne (6’2” Jr. G). Kiehne had a huge sophomore year, averaging a team-best 19.6 PPG with 5.1 RPG. He shot 142 of 194 from the line. FC’s also returns All-TRC HM picks Luke Hellickson (6’3” Jr. G/F > team second-best 10.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 65 made threes) and Bryce Corson (5’7” Sr. G > 6.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.8 SPG). Strong-passer Corson enters his fourth year of playing PG for the Falcons. Gunner Benson (6’0” Sr. F > 8.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG), Will Parker (6’2” Sr. F > 6.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG), Jake Fishbaugher (6’0” Sr. G > 5.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG), Chase Christianson (6’0” Jr. G/F > 3.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG), and Dillon O’Connor (5’9” Sr. G > 4.1 PPG) round out FC’s continuity. Ty Sexton (5’9” G), Logan Stelpflug (6’2” F), and Sam Springer (5’8” G) give FC eight seniors. Hellickson and Christianson will miss time due to football injuries. The Falcons play there 14-game TRC schedule with 12 regular non-con games. They have Schaeffer Academy, Houston, Southland, Randolph, M-C, and G-E at home. Their six road non-con games are with GM, L-O, Kingsland, SG, Lanesboro, and Goodhue.
Mabel-Canton will look to add wins to last year’s total. The Cougars went 3-11 in the SEC. They fell to Wabasha-Kellogg 66-54 in a 1A play-in game. Russ Larson’s group finished 8-19. The Cougars graduated three senior every-game players. Alex Arneson (5’11” F > 9.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG) was the most notable. They return three starters including their two post-season honorees. Fourth-year starting guard Cayden Tollefsrud (5’10” Jr.) heads the cast. Tollefsrud repeated making All-SEC 2nd team after averaging team-bests in scoring (17.6 PPG) and steals (2.1 SPG). He was second on the team with 6.8 RPG and 2.4 APG. The junior is closing in on 1,000 career points. After him, there is family continuity. Brothers Jordan Larson (6’1” Sr. G > 8.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.0 APG) and Tyler Larson (6’0” So. F > 4.0 PPG) were also regulars. They are sons of Coach Larson. Jordan made All-SEC HM a season ago. Additionally, Riley Snell (5’8” Jr. G), Robert Michels (5’9” Sr. F), Hayden Erickson (6’1” Jr. F), and Fred Williams (5’10” Sr. F) played in a majority of M-C’s games. Kaiser Soiney (6’1” F) and Jacob Baumann-Fern (F) give the Cougars five seniors. M-C has the Decorah Border Battle (Osage) plus a holiday game at home with W-K. They also have Alden-Conger at home. Road non-con games are with R-P, Postville, and FC.
Kingsland comes off a 6-9 year in the SEC. The Knights fell to Spring Grove 62-27 in a 1A Round of 16 game. They finished 11-16 overall. Coach John Fenske graduated his two post-season honorees, Walker Erdman (6’2” G), a fourth-year player who made All-SEC 2nd team (team-best 13.2 PPG and 8.3 RPG), and Kaden Rath (5’8” > 5.3 PPG, team leader in assists and steals), who made All-SEC HM. But a lot of Knights got minutes last year, so Kingsland returns experience. Jayden Brink (6’0” Jr. G > 12.0 PPG, 57-plus threes made) is the top returning scorer. But he is the only returning Knight to post more than 5 PPG. Mason Kolling (6’4” Sr. F/C > 4.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG), Ayden Howard (6’1” Jr. F > 3.2 PPG), Garrison Hubka (5’10” Sr. G), Trevon Rainey (6’0” Sr. F), and Cole Kruegel (5’7” Sr. G) are five other key returnees. The above mentioned are the four seniors. Kingsland has the Decorah Border Battle (MFL Mar-Mac). They have home non-con contests with Hayfield, W-K, and FC. Road non-con games are with Alden-Conger, and Goodhue. Note: Kingsland’s averages are minus one game.
LeRoy-Ostrander comes off a good year. Ryan Evans’ Cardinals went 9-6 in the SEC. They were downed in a 1A Round of 16 game at Randolph, 83-63. L-O finished 16-11. However, the Cardinals graduated their two All-SEC picks, 1st teamer Tanner Olson (6’3” F > 18.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.0 SPG) and 2nd teamer Levi Royston (6’3” G/F> 16.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.6 SPG). Also departing was All-SEC HM selection Chase Johnson (5’6” G > 7.4 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.0 SPG) plus Gavin Sweeney (6’4” F/C > 7.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG). Said guys were L-O’s top four scorers, top three rebounders, and top three passers. There will be a lot of new faces doing work in LeRoy. Camden Hungerholt (6’1” So. G > 4.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG), Layne Bird (5’9” Sr. G > 4.5 PPG), Tristan Lewison (6’0” Sr. G), Kaden Hansen (5’9” Sr G), and Carter Sweeney (6’1” So. F) are five experienced returnees. Xander Farlinger (6’0” Sr. G) and Dane Schumann (6’2” Sr. F) give L-O five seniors. The Cardinals have the Decorah Border Battle (Postville) and two holiday games at GM’s tourney (BP, Goodhue). The only other road non-con game is at W-K. They host non-con games with Alden-Conger (season-opener) and FC.
Grand Meadow enters the year coming just-short-of-five hundred campaign. The Superlarks went 7-8 in the SEC. They fell to Kenyon-Wanamingo 69-59 in a 1A Round of 16 game. Dakotah Rostad’s group finished at 11-16 overall. GM had three players make All-SEC teams last year. First-team All-SEC pick Roman Warmka (6’3” F > roughly 15.9 PPG, around 7.5 RPG) and second-team pick Taylor Glynn (6’1” G > 13.5 PPG, around 6.5 RPG, around 4.0 APG), GM’s leading scorers, both graduated. Four total key players departed. GM has only five combined juniors and seniors this year. The top returnee is All-SEC HM pick Jace Kraft (6’1” Sr. G), as he averaged around 9.5 PPG and 4.0 RPG. After him, seniors Isaac Harmening (5’9” Sr. G), Caleb George (6’1” Sr. F), and Hunter Dimick (6’3” Sr. F) are back. Tyler Reid (6’0” F) is the sole junior. GM’s season includes the Decorah Border Battle (South Winn) and a home holiday tourney (BP, Goodhue). They have other home non-con tilts with FC, Hayfield, and R-P.
It was a difficult year for a very young Houston team. For the second straight season, the Hurricanes struggled to get wins. Jake Merchlewitz’s group went 1-13 in the SEC. They fell to Schaeffer Academy 60-24 in a 1A play-in game. Houston finished 1-25. They were 0-18 in 2021. They graduated their only post-season honoree, All-SEC HM pick, leading scorer and rebounder Tanner Kubitz (6’3” F > 11.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG). Houston this year has just three upperclassmen including seniors Connor Porter (6’3” F/C > 3.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG) and Eli Cly (5’10” G). No less than five freshman played a lot last year. The sophomore class of Morgan Rohweder (5’11” G > 6.8 PPG), Maddox Rodriguez (5’10” G > 4.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG), Carter Geiwitz (6’3” G > 3.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG), Zach Olson (5’7” G > 3.1 PPG), and Casey Harek (5’8” G) will be counted on a lot. Sole junior Ethan Knutson (5’9” Jr. G) is also experienced. The Hurricanes have their 20-game SEC schedule. Home non-con games are with Independence, Alma, Nova Classical Academy, and W-K. Away non-con games are with FC and R-P.