Top 25 Minnesota high school boys basketball rankings (12/28/23)
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Minnesota high school boys basketball wraps up 2023 this week. Teams have an opportunity to end the calendar year strong and continue to build into 2024.
Totino-Grace rises to No. 2 in the rankings after defeating No. 4 Park Center 82-72 on December 19. The Eagles play two out-of-state opponents this week at the Hoop City Classic.
Here is the Minnesota high school boys basketball Power 25:
Minnesota high school boys basketball Power 25
No. 1 Wayzata (7-0)
Last week’s ranking: 1
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. Eastview (1-4) at East Ridge, Dec. 29 vs. No. 23 Rosemount (5-1) at East Ridge
Ranking rationale: Wayzata made sure not to sleepwalk through its last game standing before the holidays. The host Trojans trounced Burnsville (1-3) 89-40 on Dec. 21. It was 48-18 by halftime. Wayzata put 12 players on the score sheet led by 16 for Christian Wiggins.
Only No. 2 Totino-Grace (4-2) has hung within 16 points of Wayzata this season. The Trojans posted a 2-0 week last week beginning with a 78-49 home win vs. Chaska (3-5). With Park Center (7-1) dropping a game last week to fall two spots to No. 4, Wayzata is now the clear cut No. 1.
No. 2 Totino-Grace (4-2)
Last week’s ranking: 4
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. Wauwatosa West, Wisconsin, at Mitchell, South Dakota; Dec. 29 vs. Cordova, Tennessee, at Mitchell
Ranking rationale: Totino-Grace sent its students into the holiday break in a frenzy after the Eagles shocked previous No. 2 Park Center (7-1) 82-72. It was sweet revenge after T-G was swept by its Northwest Suburban Conference rival last season.
This was the Eagles’ only game of the week. This week, they’re at the Hoop City Basketball Classic at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.
No. 3 Minnetonka (5-0)
Last week’s ranking: 3
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. No. 4 Park Center (7-1) at Concordia University, Dec. 29 vs. No. 18 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-2)
Ranking rationale: Minnetonka dug itself out of a hole to win its only game last week and remain undefeated heading into one of the Skippers’ biggest games of the year. At the Hutton Winter Classic at Hamline University, they erased a 36-28 halftime deficit to win 81-75 vs. an Andover (3-3) squad that entered on a three-game win streak. The Skippers rely heavy on their talented starting lineup.
Leading the way in this one was Kayden Wells with 22 points. Greyson Uelmen added 16, Jordan Cain 15, Duke Richardson 14 and Andy Stefonowicz 12. Minnetonka has played a solid schedule thus far, but the upcoming matchup with Park Center will be the biggest litmus test by far.
No. 4 Park Center (7-1)
Last week’s ranking: 2
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. No. 3 Minnetonka (5-0) at Concordia University, Dec. 29 vs. Cherry (7-0) at Concordia
Ranking rationale: The case could be made to drop Park Center just one spot to No. 3 this week. Fortunately, the Pirates will clash this week with third-ranked Minnetonka in St. Paul to determine who’s superior. The reason for Park Center’s drop is it fell from the ranks of the unbeaten after suffering an 82-72 loss at conference rival No. 2 Totino-Grace (4-2).
The Pirates swept last season’s Class 3A champs but could not hold off the Eagles, who could very well make it back to the ‘ship. The game was back and forth and closer than the final score might indicate as T-G closed the game on a 6-0 run.
Park Center bounced back a couple nights later with an 86-63 win at Park of Cottage Grove (3-3). The Pirates led 41-19 by halftime. They had six scorers in double figures led by 20 for Casmir Chavis.
No. 5 Lakeville North (4-2)
Last week’s ranking: 5
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. New Prague (1-6), Dec. 29 vs. Chanhassen (1-4)
Ranking rationale: The Panthers went 2-0 last week at home with wins in their first two South Suburban Conference games of the season. Lakeville North edged previous Shakopee (5-2), which climbed up a spot this week to No. 7, 83-78. A few days later, the Panthers throttled a decent Prior Lake (3-4) team, 88-45. North battled back from a five-point halftime deficit vs. Shakopee.
Jack Robison didn’t have his best shooting game but willed his way to the foul line, where he went 9-for-10. He finished with 27 points to go with 20 from Matt Drake. Robison was more efficient against Prior Lake en route to 32 points.
A two-point loss to current No. 4 Park Center (7-1) and a five-point loss to a highly ranked team from our state’s eastern neighbor, Wisconsin Lutheran, are all that separates the Panthers from being undefeated.
No. 6 Hopkins (5-1)
Last week’s ranking: 7
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. Minnehaha Academy (3-2) at Augsburg University, Dec. 29 vs. No. 9 Osseo (5-1) at Augsburg, Dec. 30 vs. No. 10 Breck (4-0) at Augsburg
Ranking rationale: Hopkins showed no mercy against previously unbeaten and No. 22 Minneapolis South (5-1). The Royals rolled to a 102-65 win in their lone game last week.
They held the Tigers 26 points below their season average. This was Hopkins’ second game scoring in triple figures. It’s scored 75 or more in every game and averages 89.1 per night.
No. 7 Shakopee (5-2)
Last week’s ranking: 8
This week’s games: None
Ranking rationale: The Sabers went toe-to-toe with a state title contender and drubbed a top-20 team from last week’s ranking. Shakopee opened the week with an 83-78 loss at No. 5 Lakeville North (4-2).
The Sabers took a five-point lead into halftime but could not pull out what would have been a signature victory. Still, it was an improvement from the last time they took on elite competition.
That was a 96-80 loss at No. 1 Wayzata (7-0). Shakopee took out its frustration a few nights later on previous No. 20 Eastview (1-4), 68-49. Jalen Langsy’s 14 points led a balanced attack. The Sabers have 12 days off between games over the holiday break.
No. 8 Farmington (7-0)
Last week’s ranking: 14
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. Rochester Mayo (1-2) at Hamline University, Dec. 30 vs. Robbinsdale Armstrong (2-5)
Ranking rationale: The brunt of Farmington’s schedule still looms, but the Tigers are making mincemeat out of the competition they’ve seen to date. Last week might have been the most impressive to date as they pounded previous No. 11 Lakeville South (4-3) 87-47 before picking up a 62-56 win at previous No. 18 Eagan (3-3). Brandon Hrncir led with 25 points vs. South.
He also led with 13 against Eagan, a game his squad trailed 47-39 at halftime. The Tigers have a great chance at improving to 9-0 to set up a big-time Jan. 2 matchup at No. 5 Lakeville North (4-2).
No. 9 Osseo (5-1)
Last week’s ranking: 13
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. No. 10 Breck (4-0) at Augsburg University, Dec. 29 vs. No. 6 Hopkins (5-1) at Augsburg, Dec. 30 vs. Cambridge-Isanti (4-2) at Augsburg
Ranking rationale: Osseo responded to its first loss of the season a couple weeks ago vs. current No. 3 Minnetonka (5-0) with a 2-0 record last week. The Orioles nearly squandered a 40-21 halftime lead before hanging on at home 56-55 vs. Robbinsdale Armstrong (2-5). Aaron Smith led with 19 points.
Osseo improved to 2-0 in true road games with a 60-45 win at Rochester John Marshall (2-4). The Orioles have a solid resume but will have to knock off some upper echelon teams to climb higher in the ranking.
Head coach Doug Erlien’s squad will get the chance to do so this week at the TCO Holiday Classic.
No. 10 Breck (4-0)
Last week’s ranking: 17
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. No. 9 Osseo (5-1) at Augsburg University, Dec. 29 vs. Minneapolis Southwest (4-2) at Augsburg, Dec. 30 vs. No. 6 Hopkins (5-1) at Augsburg
Ranking rationale: The Mustangs won their only game last week, pulling out a 90-75 victory vs. Minneapolis North (5-1) in a battle of unbeaten teams and two Class 2A title contenders. Breck also owns a Power 25 win on neutral floor vs. Alexandria and has scored 70-plus in every game.
The Mustangs can continue to climb if they show well this week at the TCO Holiday Classic. This is where the Power 25 starts to get murky. Breck may not wind up to be a top-10 team come season’s end, but it’s avoided the pitfalls so many neighboring teams in the ranking have faced.
No. 11 Minneapolis Washburn (7-1)
Last week’s ranking: 19
This week’s games: None
Ranking rationale: Minneapolis Washburn goes two weeks in between games. Best to go into the holiday break on a win streak, right? The Millers earned their fourth, fifth and sixth straight victories on consecutive nights last week. They began at home 88-47 vs. Minneapolis Roosevelt (3-2), rolling to a 77-51 win at St. Thomas Academy (3-3) and downing 87-58 at Robbinsdale Armstrong.
These aren’t Power 25 opponents, but they’re far from pushovers, either. Washburn steamrolled all of them. A Jan. 26 trip to No. 1 Wayzata (7-0) will be one to keep an eye on.
That’s a team the Millers will likely have to find a way past in the section playoffs if they want to make the state tournament for the first time since 2012.
No. 12 Alexandria (5-1)
Last week’s ranking: 23
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. No. 13 Stewartville (5-0) at St. Cloud State University, Dec. 30 vs. No. 16 Mankato East (6-1) at St. John’s University
Ranking rationale: The Cardinals rolled in their only game last week, 77-40 vs. Moorhead (2-5) for their fourth straight win. The Spuds were still within earshot down 12 at halftime before the Cards took charge. Alexandria’s win a couple weeks ago vs. current No. 25 Sauk Rapids-Rice (5-1) has appreciated in value.
The Storm has won three in a row since the loss. Alexandria came up just shy in its first Power 25 matchup with current No. 10 Breck (4-0). The Cards get a couple more chances to prove themselves this week playing in the Granite City Classic.
No. 13 Stewartville (5-0)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. No. 12 Alexandria (5-1) in St. Cloud, Dec. 30 vs. No. 15 Orono (4-2) in St. Cloud
Ranking rationale: Stewartville’s played in five different gyms this season and won in all five. The Tigers are used to dominating southern Minnesota, but their best win of the season came 62-58 Dec. 9 at Hopkins High School at the Tip-Off Classic vs. a Delano (6-2) team that just broke into the Power 25 at No. 14 after it knocked off previous No. 9 Orono (4-2).
That was the only team to hang within 20 points of Stewie all season. Next closest was a solid Cannon Falls (5-1) team that was blown out by 22 on its home court. The competition ramps up this week as Stewartville will play in two more new gyms at the Granite City Classic.
No. 14 Delano (6-2)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. Hermantown (4-4), Dec. 29 vs. Bloomington Kennedy (2-5)
Ranking rationale: To sit at 6-2 given the tough schedule Delano has faced so far is pretty good. The highlight of the Tigers’ first eight games came in last week’s 79-74 win at previous No. 9 Orono (4-2). They pulled off the upset and overcame a 37-30 halftime deficit thanks to a game-high 24 points from Will Strandemo and 21 points from Max Iversen.
Delano won by 15 or more in its other five wins, though none of those opponents come close to Orono’s caliber. The Tigers’ losses were both respectable. They fell 62-58 on neutral court to current No. 13 Stewartville (5-0) and 91-78 at current No. 12 Alexandria (5-1).
No. 15 Orono (4-2)
Last week’s ranking: 9
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. No. 16 Mankato East (6-1)
Ranking rationale: The Spartans’ four-game win streak was snapped in a 79-74 loss at home to Delano (6-2), which debuts in the Power 25 this week at No. 14. Orono squandered a 37-30 halftime lead in what was its only game last week. Riley Nelson led the Spartans with 18 points.
Nolan Groves had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Orono has been inconsistent this season, but it should still be proud to have a 4-2 record against a difficult non-conference slate.
No. 16 Mankato East (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 12
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. No. 15 Orono (4-2) at St. Cloud State University, Dec. 30 vs. No. 12 Alexandria (5-1) at SCSU.
Ranking rationale: Mankato East suffered its first setback of the season last week, 83-78 vs. Rochester Century (3-3). That wasn’t the worst loss coming against a team that’s been knocking on the door of the Power 25.
The Cougars bounced back with their biggest margin of victory of the season, winning 101-52 at Big Lake (4-3). East doesn’t have a lot of big resume boosting wins thus far, but a couple chances are coming this week against fellow Class 3A powers.
No. 17 DeLaSalle (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. Sioux Falls Christian (South Dakota) in Mitchell, South Dakota; Dec. 30 vs. Mitchell, South Dakota, in Mitchell
Ranking rationale: I admit it. I gave up on DeLaSalle far too early last week. The Islanders dropped from No. 17 in the season’s first Power 25 to one of the teams on the outside looking in.
They made a big splash back in, winning their lone game last week 87-75 at previous No. 6 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-2). Jaeden Udean led with 23 points and De’von Irvin had 20. DLS has won two in a row with the other a 104-58 victory vs. Robbinsdale Cooper (2-3).
One of the Islanders’ losses came to a top-10 Osseo team (5-1). The Islanders are playing this week at the Hoop City Classic held at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.
No. 18 Benilde-St. Margaret's (3-2)
Last week’s ranking: 6
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. Maple Grove at Concordia University, Dec. 29 vs. Minnetonka (5-0) at Concordia
Ranking rationale: Benilde-St. Margaret’s struggled in its lone game last week, falling 87-75 at home vs. DeLaSalle (2-2), which re-enters the Power 25 this week at No. 17. The loss spoiled a 31-point effort by uber-talented guard Jalen Wilson. The Red Knights are on a two-game losing streak with the other defeat coming 77-60 at current No. 4 Park Center (7-1).
Their best victory is either an 82-77 win vs. Eden Prairie (3-4), which just beat previous No. 16 Cretin-Derham Hall (4-2), or a 64-44 win vs. Edina (2-4), which just beat previous No. 10 East Ridge (2-4).
No. 19 Fridley (4-0)
Last week’s ranking: 24
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. Rocori (3-4) at St. John’s University
Ranking rationale: Fridley’s dream start to the season continues. The Class 3A Tigers won both games last week, including their first over a 4A squad. They got past 3A St. Paul Harding (4-2) 84-77. Fridley went on the road for the first time and pulled out a 70-63 win at Anoka (4-3).
The Tornadoes were 3-0 at home going in. It doesn’t look like Fridley will get to play a lot of the top teams in the Power 25 until a potential matchup with No. 2 Totino-Grace (4-2) in the section playoffs, so there could be a ceiling on how high the Tigers could ultimately climb.
No. 20 Cretin-Derham Hall (4-2)
Last week’s ranking: 16
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. St. Thomas Academy (3-3), Dec. 29 vs. Holy Family (5-2)
Ranking rationale: Cretin-Derham Hall squandered an opportunity to potentially crack the top 10 this week. The Raiders opened the week with a 73-68 win vs. previous No. 10 East Ridge (2-4). Joe Mitchell led all scorers with 21 points as CD-H came back from a 40-35 deficit.
A four-game win streak was snapped in an 81-80 overtime loss vs. Eden Prairie (3-4). This game was also tied 41-41 at halftime. Monteff Dixon led five Raiders in double figures with 14 points. Their only other loss this season was to current No. 8 Farmington (7-0). They’ve got some solid wins, but no big resume boosters thus far.
No. 21 Owatonna (5-1)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. North Branch (4-3), Dec. 30 vs. Blaine (0-6) or Duluth East (1-3).
Ranking rationale: The Huskies are a point away from being undefeated this season. Their lone blemish was a 61-60 Dec. 7 loss vs. Mankato West (6-2), a team in consideration for this week’s Power 25. Since then, Owatonna has scored 74 or more points in each of four straight wins.
The highlight was a 74-63 victory in its last outing at Rochester Century (3-3). Century was coming off an 83-78 upset at Mankato East (6-1), which was No. 12 at the time. Owatonna also has a solid season-opening 76-59 win at Stillwater (2-4).
No. 22 Buffalo (6-1)
Last week’s ranking: 21
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. Elk River at Sartell High School, Dec. 30 at No. 25 Sauk Rapids-Rice (6-1)
Ranking rationale: Buffalo upped its win streak to four going 2-0 last week. The Bison squeaked out an 88-85 win vs. Chanhassen (1-4). Mitchell Friesz and Grady Guida each had 23 points. Buffalo rolled 78-44 vs. Sartell (3-4).
Buffalo has some solid wins thus far, but if it can knock off Sauk Rapids-Rice this week, it might be the best win to date. The Bison struggled in the only other Power 25 this matchup this season vs. current No. 16 Mankato East (6-1).
No. 23 Rosemount (5-1)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Dec. 28 vs. Edina (2-4) at East Ridge, Dec. 29 vs. No. 1 Wayzata (7-0) at East Ridge
Ranking rationale: It’s hard to ignore a 5-1 Class 4A team, but Rosemount has not played a team that’s in this week’s Power 25. The Irish haven’t dropped a game since a 74-55 season-opening loss at Chaska (3-5). Rosemount is 2-0 in South Suburban Conference play. Those two wins are its best of the season, coming 46-43 vs. previous No. 18 Eagan (3-3) and 59-56 vs. Apple Valley (4-3).
Knocking off a former Power 25 team in Edina and at least hanging around with defending state champ Wayzata can go a long way to validate the Irish’s ranking.
No. 24 Roseville (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Dec. 27 vs. Detroit Lakes (6-0) at Moorhead, Dec. 28 vs. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (2-2) or Moorhead (2-5) at Moorhead
Ranking rationale: Roseville breaks into the Power 25 in part by beating the last team in last week’s ranking on its home floor, No. 25 Mounds View (5-3). The Raiders picked up their first Power 25 victory of the season, beating the Mustangs 73-70.
Ataa-Adjetey Mensah led Roseville with 19 points. The Raiders’ only loss was 72-67 at previous No. 15 Woodbury (5-1). Roseville is a program on the rise. It improved from 6-21 in 2021-22 to 14-13 last season.
No. 25 Sauk Rapids-Rice (5-1)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Dec. 29 vs. Albany (4-1) at St. John’s University, Dec. 30 vs. No. 22 Buffalo (6-1)
Ranking rationale: Sauk Rapids-Rice is on a three-game win streak with each one coming on the road. The Storm’s last outing was an 86-66 rout of Becker (4-2), a team that entered on a three game win streak of its own. SR-R’s only loss was a 76-67 loss at current No. 12 Alexandria (5-1). That was its only game against a Power 25 thus far.
The Storm gets another chance this week at the Granite City Classic. Columbia Heights (5-0), Woodbury (5-1) and Rogers (7-1) are a few teams considered for the Power 25 left on the cutting room floor.
