Top 25 Minnesota high school boys basketball rankings (1/22/2024)
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Minnesota high school boys basketball continues, and the Breck Mustangs (15-0) continue to win this season.
The Mustangs remain undefeated through 15 games, and wins over Minnehaha Academy (6-8) and Blake (9-5) made it another strong week to jump to No. 5.
Here is the Minnesota high school boys basketball Power 25.
Minnesota high school boys basketball Power 25
No. 1 Wayzata (14-0)
Last week’s ranking: 1
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at No. 7 Hopkins (10-3), Jan. 26 vs. No. 10 Minneapolis Washburn (13-1)
Ranking rationale: The Trojans make it through another week undefeated, but it wasn’t easy. Wayzata battled back against a resurgent Edina squad that moved into the Power 25 this week at No. 25. The Trojans erased a 28-25 halftime deficit to pick up a 74-70 road win.
Creighton commit Jackson McAndrew was huge in the comeback and finished with a game high 24 points. This snapped the Trojans’ incredible 10-game streak of double-digit victories. Earlier in the week, Wayzata scored a season high in a 104-86 win at Eden Prairie (7-9).
That one was also close at the half with Wayzata up just 43-41. McAndrew again led all scorers with 28 to go with 22 for Andrew Nepstad and Christian Wiggins.
No. 2 Totino-Grace (12-3)
Last week’s ranking: 2
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at No. 13 Osseo (11-3), Jan. 26 vs. Blaine (4-11)
Ranking rationale: Had a two-point loss to Wayzata swung the other way early in the season, the Eagles could just as well be in the No. 1 spot. Their other two losses were to solid out of state teams. Totino-Grace is hitting its stride with seven straight wins.
Last week featured a 71-64 double overtime win at Maple Grove (7-5), which rose a spot to No. 22 this week. Isaiah Johnson-Arigu’s 16 points led five T-G players in double figures. The Eagles cruised 93-60 a couple nights later vs. a Robbinsdale Armstrong team (7-8) that’s tripped up ranked foes before. Dothan Ijadimbola and Chace Watley paced six on Totino-Grace in double figures with 14 points.
The Eagles repped Minnesota well at the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, drilling Onalaska (10-5) 98-66. This was just an eight-point game at halftime before things got out of hand.
No. 3 Park Center (11-3)
Last week’s ranking: 3
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. No. 22 Maple Grove (7-5), Jan. 26 vs. No. 13 Osseo (12-4)
Ranking rationale: Park Center has reached 10 straight wins. Its only loss was on the road at No. 2 Totino-Grace (12-3). The Pirates went 3-0 last week starting with a 110-48 win at Coon Rapids (7-7). Casmir Chavis probably could’ve outscored the Cardinals by himself if he wanted to, finishing with a game high 34 points. It was a week of blowouts with a 73-41 win at Elk River (3-10) and an 83-58 win vs. Eau Claire Memorial (12-3) at the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
Chavis led with 20 vs. Elk River. The Eau Claire Memorial game was a great win against a ranked opponent to the east.
No. 4 Minnetonka (9-1)
Last week’s ranking: 4
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. Eden Prairie (7-9), Jan. 26 vs. No. 25 Edina (7-7)
Ranking rationale: Minnesota teams showed well at the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Minnetonka held up its end of the deal, defeating Grafton (8-6), 86-76. Andy Stefonowicz and Jordan Cain co-led with 22 points. This was the Skippers’ sixth straight win. They’re a three-point loss to No. 3 Park Center (11-3) away from being undefeated and likely at No. 2.
Minnetonka also won last week 73-70 vs. current No. 23 Buffalo (8-5). It led 43-27 at the half before the Bison made it a tight one. Greyson Uelmen’s 16 points led five Skippers in double figures.
No. 5 Breck (15-0)
Last week’s ranking: 5
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. Providence Academy (3-10), Jan. 26 at Mounds Park Academy (5-6), Jan. 27 vs. Esko (8-3) at Chanhassen
Ranking rationale: Breck continues to inch closer to that elusive undefeated season. The Mustangs went 3-0 last week, beginning with a 90-75 win vs. Minnehaha Academy (8-8). Star guard Daniel Freitag led with 25 points.
Breck met a little more resistance in an 83-66 win at Blake (9-6) that was just 45-42 at halftime. Freitag dropped 41 points. The Mustangs stampeded Heritage Christian (10-3) 94-64 at the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Guess who led them in scoring? It was Freitag, this time with 22.
No. 6 Shakopee (10-2)
Last week’s ranking: 7
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at Burnsville (2-12), Jan. 26 at No. 16 Lakeville South (9-5)
Ranking rationale: The Sabers stayed hot last week by picking up their seventh straight win. Shakopee rolled at Prior Lake (6-7), 92-58. This was never close as the visitors led by 20 at halftime. Jalen Langsy was unstoppable with 36 points and Issac Snell had 20.
The Sabers’ only losses came on the road to No. 1 Wayzata and No. 9 Lakeville North (10-4). Their early-season win over Waconia, now a winner of nine straight, is looking better by the day.
No. 7 Hopkins (10-3)
Last week’s ranking: 6
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. No. 1 Wayzata (14-0), Jan. 26 vs. St. Michael-Albertville (8-6)
Ranking rationale: The Royals’ resume was pretty impeccable until a surprise loss in its only game last week. Their first two blemishes were to top-five foes. Hopkins also owns four Power 25 victories. It takes a slight dip in the ranking this week after falling 75-69 at current No. 25 Edina (7-7). It spoiled a 20-point effort and co-game high from Jayden Moore.
This loss looked worse at the time, but considering Edina led No. 1 Wayzata (14-0) at halftime last week before losing by four, perhaps Hopkins shouldn’t fret too much about this one.
No. 8 Mankato East (14-1)
Last week’s ranking: 8
This week’s games: Jan. 25 vs. Northfield (8-7)
Ranking rationale: Mankato East continues to pour in points. The Cougars won both games last week, winning 90-41 at Marshall (7-8) and 91-58 vs. Austin (5-9). Winning these games doesn’t say too much, but doing so in convincing fashion is the sign of a great team.
East has now won nine games in a row. It’s all Big 9 Conference foes from here on out. There are no more Power 25 foes left, either, so the Cougars could be riding a huge win streak going into the postseason.
No. 9 Lakeville North (10-4)
Last week’s ranking: 10
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. Eagan (9-5), Jan. 26 at Burnsville (2-12)
Ranking rationale: The Panthers went 2-0 last week and are now tied atop the South Suburban Conference standings after getting some help. They rolled to their fourth straight win with a 78-44 victory at Eastview (2-10).
Jack Robison led with 22 points. Earlier in the week saw Lakeville North win its final non-conference matchup of the season, 75-45 vs. section rival Rochester Century (9-5). Robison again paved the way with 23 points. The help North got in the standings was Farmington losing its first SSC tilt in an upset to Apple Valley (7-7).
No. 10 Minneapolis Washburn (13-1)
Last week’s ranking: 11
This week’s games: Jan. 22 at Minneapolis North (11-4), Jan. 26 at No. 1 Wayzata (14-0)
Ranking rationale: There’s not too much to say about Minneapolis Washburn after the Millers rolled in their one outing last week. Washburn trounced crosstown foe Minneapolis Edison (3-11) 86-55 to extend its win streak to 12 and stay perfect in the Minneapolis City Conference. Kyle Jorgensen led with 22 points.
The Millers have skated by beating mostly bad to average teams on their win streak. The rubber hits the road this week when they take on the defending Class 4A state champs, as well as their section rivals.
No. 11 Waconia (11-2)
Last week’s ranking: 13
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. No. 17 Orono (9-4), Jan. 26 at No. 20 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (6-7)
Ranking rationale: Waconia hasn’t lost a game since Dec. 12. The red-hot Wildcats added two more wins last week to what’s now a nine-game streak. They rolled 74-42 vs. New Prague (3-10) and 82-51 vs. Bloomington Jefferson (3-11) to remain unbeaten in the Metro West Conference. William Kirsch led with 18 points vs. New Prague.
William Kirsch paced with 22 vs. Jefferson in a game that was within nine at the break. The Wildcats have only taken on one top-10 team this season, which was a respectable 78-69 loss at current No. 6 Shakopee (9-2). Another chance won’t come, but there are lots of Power 25 teams left on the schedule for Waconia to boost its resume.
No. 12 Farmington (11-3)
Last week’s ranking: 9
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at Rosemount (5-8), Jan. 26 vs. Prior Lake (6-7)
Ranking rationale: Farmington continues to be an enigma. The Tigers have proven they’re capable of beating top-10 teams. They’re also prone to letting their guard down against lesser foes. The latter happened again last week in a 70-62 loss at Apple Valley (7-6). It was Farmington’s first game in nine days, so perhaps rust was a factor.
Tyler Beckwith led with 17 points and Ryan Beckwith had 14. The Tigers still control their destiny to win the South Suburban Conference, but they’re no longer the lone unbeaten.
No. 13 Osseo (12-4)
Last week’s ranking: 12
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. No. 2 Totino-Grace (12-3), Jan. 26 vs. No. 3 Park Center (16-1)
Ranking rationale: Osseo’s seven-game win streak came to a halt, all by a single point to its border rival. The Orioles dropped 59-58 at Maple Grove (8-6), which climbs a spot this week to No. 22. Osseo was bound to run out of luck at some point as three wins on the streak came by single digits and another by 11. Osseo led Maple Grove 20-15 at the halftime before the game got out of the mud in the second half. De’Maari Larkins led the visitors with a game high 30 points.
The Orioles went 1-1 on the week with a 60-47 victory vs. Elk River (3-10). Aaron Smith led a balanced score sheet with 14 points.
No. 14 Delano (12-3)
Last week’s ranking: 14
This week’s games: Jan. 27 at Chanhassen (6-6)
Ranking rationale: The Tigers hang steady in the Power 25 after going 2-0 last week, albeit not in super convincing fashion. Both wins were by single digits against good, but unranked, opponents. Delano first won 71-63 at Southwest Christian (8-4) on the strength of 24 Will Strandemo points.
The Tigers moved to 7-1 in true road games this season, scoring a season high in a 96-92 win at New Ulm (9-6). Unfortunately, that was also a season high allowed. Speaking of season highs, how about Strandemo? He poured in 45 to nearly match 47 from New Ulm’s Colton Benson.
Delano could be on upset this week against a team that was in contention to move into the Power 25.
No. 15 Cretin-Derham Hall (11-2)
Last week’s ranking: 16
This week’s games: Jan. 24 vs. Forest Lake (7-6), Jan. 26 vs. Park of Cottage Grove (7-7)
Ranking rationale: The Suburban East Conference is down this year, but there are still plenty of teams capable of showing well on the right night. None of them so far have been able to vanquish Cretin-Derham Hall.
The Raiders are up to 8-0 in conference after pair of wins last week. C-DH won 65-59 in a pivotal game at Mounds View (11-4), which now gives it a two-game lead over Mounds View with one meeting remaining. Monteff Dixon led with 25 points.
The Raiders extended their overall win streak to seven with a 78-67 win vs. Stillwater (7-7). Joe Mitchell starred with 35 points.
No. 16 Lakeville South (9-5)
Last week’s ranking: 17
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at Prior Lake (6-7), Jan. 26 at No. 6 Shakopee (10-2)
Ranking rationale: After dropping a couple close ones in its previous three contests, Lakeville South picked up a double-digit victory, 69-55 vs. Rosemount (5-8). It was only a two-point Cougar lead at halftime before the home team asserted its will.
No one from the Irish surpassed 11 points, while South’s Keaton Ressler led all scorers with 22. This team has hung around the same spot in the Power 25 for a little while now, but it can make a more sizable move by picking up a huge road win at Shakopee.
No. 17 Orono (9-4)
Last week’s ranking: 15
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at No. 11 Waconia (11-2), Jan. 26 vs. Bloomington Jefferson (3-11), Jan. 27 vs. No. 25 Edina (7-7) at Chanhassen
Ranking rationale: The Spartans went 2-1 last week. The loss was to an unranked foe that nearly cracked this week’s Power 25. It was an 82-74 loss vs. Chanhassen (6-6) to snap Orono’s three-game win streak. Nolan Groves had 25 points.
The Spartans bounced back with a 67-42 win vs. New Prague (3-10). Groves had 17 in a game that Orono was up 36-18 at halftime. The Spartans dominated 78-54 vs. La Crosse Central (6-7) at the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Border Battle hosted by Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Groves led with 16 in a game Orono was up just 33-28 at the break.
The Spartans have some golden opportunities to climb back up this week in the Power 25.
No. 18 Stewartville (11-3)
Last week’s ranking: 18
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. Cannon Falls (10-3), Jan. 26 at Byron (13-1)
Ranking rationale: The Tigers have matched their season long win streak of five after dominating both of last week’s contests. It started with their biggest margin of victory of 2023-24, an 82-27 win at Pine Island (7-7). Stewartville next played in its sixth straight game away from home against Caledonia at the Hiawatha Valley League/Three Rivers Conference Showdown in Rochester.
Stewartville represented the HVL well, rolling a game many thought would be a good one, 75-39. The Class 2A ranked Warriors were no match for the 3A ranked Tigers.
No. 19 DeLaSalle (8-5)
Last week’s ranking: 19
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at Fridley (10-2), Jan. 26 vs. Richfield (7-7)
Ranking rationale: The Islanders are neck and neck in the pecking order with Stewartville. These two Class 3A powers don’t meet in the regular season, but it could be a fun clash at the state tournament.
DeLaSalle continues to gain steam as its now up to a season high four straight wins. It went 2-0 last week with a 72-63 win vs. previous unbeaten and No. 21 Columbia Heights (9-1) and 69-52 win at 2A power, Minneapolis North (11-4).
Dorian Pruitt led the Islanders vs. Columbia Heights, pouring in 19 points. DLS finished strong against North by pulling away from a 34-29 halftime advantage. Ray James Jr. led with 21 points.
No. 20 Benilde-St. Margaret's (6-7)
Last week’s ranking: 20
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at Chanhassen (6-6), Jan. 26 vs. No. 11 Waconia (11-2)
Ranking rationale: Benilde-St. Margaret’s gets the distinction of being the only team with a losing record in this week’s Power 25. To the Red Knights’ credit, they schedule incredibly tough instead of stacking up easy wins. That was further evidenced by taking part in the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Border Battle that B-SM hosted.
It fell 80-64 vs. Homestead (11-3). The Red Knights’ other five losses were to current Power 25 teams. It has two wins vs. ranked opponents. It was still a 2-1 week last week with a 68-42 win vs. Bloomington Jefferson (3-11) and 88-66 win vs. St. Louis Park (6-8). Jefferson was held to 10 points in the second half. Jalen Wilson led B-SM with 23 points.
Jaleel Donley’s 25 points led the way vs. SLP. The Red Knights are 2-0 in the Metro West Conference.
No. 21 Columbia Heights (9-1)
Last week’s ranking: 21
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at Richfield (7-7), Jan. 26 vs. Robbinsdale Cooper (6-7)
Ranking rationale: The Hylanders made it until 2024 before suffering their first ‘L.’ Columbia Heights’ comeback from down 14 at halftime at DeLaSalle (8-5) fell short in a 72-63 loss. Jency Davis led the losing side with 22 points.
The Hylanders salvaged the week by moving to 2-1 on the season vs. current Power 25 competition with a 78-75 win vs. previous No. 25 Fridley (10-2). Randy McClendon put the home team on his back with 37 points as this time the halftime comeback (from down five) was fruitful.
No. 22 Maple Grove (8-6)
Last week’s ranking: 23
This week’s games: Jan. 23 at No. 3 Park Center (16-1), Jan. 26 vs. Rogers (13-3)
Ranking rationale: Maple Grove had about as good of a 1-1 week as anyone. The Crimson had a three-game win streak snapped, but there was no shame in going toe-to-toe with No. 2 Totino-Grace (12-3) in a 71-64 double overtime loss. Henry Stang led with 33 points. The Crimson battled back from a 24-17 halftime deficit.
Maple Grove had another crack at a ranked foe coming to its home court later in the week and took advantage. The Crimson downed border rival and previous No. 12 Osseo (12-4), 59-58. Stang had another big night with 20 points. Another 1-1 split for Maple Grove would be a good showing this week.
No. 23 Buffalo (8-5)
Last week’s ranking: 22
This week’s games: Jan. 22 vs. Andover (5-8), Jan. 26 vs. Eden Prairie (7-9), Jan. 27 at Brainerd (6-7)
Ranking rationale: Buffalo’s on a three-game losing streak, but it’s played better basketball in this stretch than perhaps in some of its wins. Last week, the Bison were nipped 62-60 at a tough St. Michael-Albertville (8-6) squad that’s been in contention for the Power 25 for several weeks. Brody Wishart and Mitchell Friesz co-led with 17 points.
Buffalo once again came up shy in a 73-70 loss vs. red hot No. 4 Minnetonka (9-1). The Bison didn’t quit after falling behind 43-27 at halftime. Grady Guida guided Buffalo with 20 points.
No. 24 Alexandria (10-4)
Last week’s ranking: 24
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. Detroit Lakes (12-1), Jan. 26 vs. St. Cloud Tech (10-4)
Ranking rationale: Alexandria bounced back from an ugly 72-45 loss at current No. 20 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (6-7) a couple weeks ago with a 2-0 record last week. The Cardinals still weren’t at their best, though, as they held on for a 77-72 overtime win vs. Fergus Falls (5-7).
Alexandria left no doubt in the next one, matching its season high point total in a 91-51 win vs. Sartell (3-10). There are no more current Power 25 opponents left on the regular season schedule, so the Cards may need to win out heading into sections to remain in the ranking.
No. 25 Edina (7-7)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Jan. 23 vs. St. Michael Albertville (8-6), Jan. 26 vs. No. 4 Minnetonka (9-1), Jan. 27 vs. No. 17 Orono (9-4) at Chanhassen
Ranking rationale: Edina gets the nod for the final spot in this week’s Power 25 that could have gone to a number of teams. In no particular order, Fridley (10-2), Rogers (13-3), Chanhassen (6-6), Apple Valley (7-6), Eagan (9-5), Mounds View (11-4), East Ridge (8-7), Tartan (11-2), St. Michael-Albertville (8-6), Sauk Rapids-Rice (10-4) and Byron (13-1) are just some of the teams who make compelling cases.
The Hornets get the nod after toppling previous No. 6 Hopkins (10-3) 75-69 and giving No. 1 Wayzata (14-0) all it could handle last week in a 74-70 loss. Both were home games. Josiah Coleman led with 20 points in the win. The Hornets led 28-25 at the half before Jackson McAndrew took over for the Trojans with a game high 24 points. Billy DeMars led Edina with 17.
Edina closed a busy week with an 84-63 win vs. River Falls (11-3) at the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Border Battle at Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
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