Top 25 Minnesota high school boys basketball rankings (2/27/2024)
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It's the final week of the regular season in Minnesota high school boys basketball.
Current No. 6 Hopkins (19-5) had a win over then-No. 2 Minnetonka (19-5) 83-81. The Royals then defeated No. 16 DeLaSalle (17-9) 88-77 to finish out a strong week.
Here is the Minnesota high school boys basketball Power 25.
Minnesota high school boys basketball Power 25
No. 1 Wayzata (24-1)
Last week’s ranking: 1
This week’s games: March 1 vs. No. 4 Minnetonka (19-5)
Ranking rationale: Wayzata clinched the Lake Conference title last week with a resounding 68-48 win at St. Michael-Albertville (10-14), as well as a loss by Minnetonka. The Trojans jumped on the Knights from the start and led 39-17 at halftime. Isaac Olmstead led a balanced attack with 14 points. That will be the last true road game they’ll face with all home or neutral sites the rest of the way.
Earlier in the week, Wayzata dispatched previous No. 25 Robbinsdale Armstrong (13-11) 95-69.
No. 2 Totino-Grace (21-4)
Last week’s ranking: 3
This week’s games: Feb. 28 vs. No. 17 East Ridge (17-7)
Ranking rationale: After dropping from its long-held spot at No. 2, the Eagles are back thanks to a ranked victory of their own and a pair of losses from previous No. 2 Minnetonka (19-5).
Totino-Grace completed a perfect season in Northwest Suburban Conference play by winning 89-65 vs. previous No. 21 Spring Lake Park (14-11). Totino-Grace was up 35-24 at the half and kept piling on. It was led by 23 points by Tyler Wagner. A sweep of No. 3 Park Center gives the Eagles the nod for the second spot over the Pirates.
No. 3 Park Center (21-3)
Last week’s ranking: 4
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. Rochester Mayo (11-12), March 1 at Columbia Heights (16-6)
Ranking rationale: The Pirates’ high-octane offense has scored 80-plus in each of the last four games. The latest was a 96-57 win at Anoka (11-13). Park Center likely could have put up 100 if it was so inclined and led 54-29 at halftime. A head-to-head vs. Minnetonka gives the Pirates the nod at No. 3 ahead of the Skippers.
No. 4 Minnetonka (19-5)
Last week’s ranking: 2
This week’s games: Feb. 28 at Chanhassen (12-11), March 1 at No. 1 Wayzata (24-1)
Ranking rationale: The Skippers drop a couple spots this week after a pair of losses last week. It’s not a precipitous drop as both were to ranked foes. The first was an 82-67 loss at current No. 15 Edina (14-10). The Hornets handed them their largest margin of defeat all season, though it was just a two-point lead at halftime.
That put a damper on Minnetonka's Lake Conference title chances. An 83-81 loss vs. current No. 6 Hopkins (19-5) ended them. Minnetonka nearly dug itself out of a 40-29 halftime rut. Hopkins’ backcourt proved to be too much to handle. Minnetonka was led by 23 points from Andy Stefonowicz and 22 for Isa El-Amin.
No. 5 Breck (23-1)
Last week’s ranking: 6
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. Maranatha Christian Academy (19-5)
Ranking rationale: While Breck’s 66-64 loss a couple weeks ago at previous No. 5 Minneapolis Washburn (22-3) hasn’t aged well given Washburn’s upset loss at Blake (17-7) last week, it at least makes room for Breck to jump back into the top five.
The Mustangs took care of business in their lone game last week, winning at Minnehaha Academy (10-14) 79-68. That capped a perfect season in the Independent Metro Athletic Conference that Minnehaha has ruled in recent years. A head-to-head win vs. this week’s No. 6 Hopkins (19-5) gives Breck the nod for the No. 5 spot.
No. 6 Hopkins (19-5)
Last week’s ranking: 8
This week’s games: Feb. 27 vs. Minneapolis North (14-9), March 1 at Buffalo (11-13)
Ranking rationale: Hopkins was the team of the week last week with two big-time ranked victories. The Royals’ week was almost derailed when it nearly lost a triple overtime shootout at St. Michael-Albertville (10-14). They hung on for a 111-109 victory led by 34 points for J.J. Semanko and 32 for Jayden Moore.
That must’ve been a wake up call as Hopkins followed with an 83-81 win at previous No. 2 Minnetonka (19-5) and an 88-77 win at No. 15 DeLaSalle (17-9). Hopkins was threatening overtime against Minnetonka as a 40-29 halftime lead nearly evaporated.
Moore had 24 points and Anthony Smith 23. It was smoother sailing out on Nicollet Island with Hopkins not letting a double-digit lead at the break vs. DeLaSalle dwindle. Smith poured in 32 and Moore 23.
No. 7 Shakopee (20-4)
Last week’s ranking: 7
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. Burnsville (3-21), March 1 vs. No. 9 Farmington (18-6)
Ranking rationale: Shakopee is up to a four-game win streak. It could be nine if it pulled out a two-point loss at a top-five Minnetonka (19-5) squad).
Last week, the Sabers scored a season high in a 103-94 win vs. Prior Lake (9-15) and flashed some defense in a 74-46 win at previous No. 12 Lakeville South (16-8).
Jalen Langsy went off for 42 points as Shakopee picked up the season sweep of the Lakers. The Sabers salvaged a season split over the Cougars, who won the first meeting by one in Shakopee. Langsy nearly got to 80 points for the week with 36 in this one.
He nearly outscored South’s top three scorers, who combined for 40. The two wins help Shakopee stay tied atop the South Suburban Conference with No. 8 Lakeville North (19-5).
No. 8 Lakeville North (19-5)
Last week’s ranking: 9
This week’s games: Feb. 26 at No. 23 Eagan (14-10), March 1 at Apple Valley (12-12)
Ranking rationale: Six straight wins, all coming in South Suburban Conference matchups, help Lakeville North stay tied at the top of the conference with a week to play. Last week featured a 90-77 win vs. Eastview (4-20) and a 75-46 win vs. Burnsville (3-21).
North led 44-30 at halftime vs. the Lightning before easing up. The Panthers were paced by 32 points on 5-for-8 shooting from deep by Jack Robison. He again had a team high with 16 points against the Blaze in a game he and the starters got to rest for during part of the second half.
No. 9 Farmington (18-6)
Last week’s ranking: 11
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. Rosemount (8-15), March 1 at No. 7 Shakopee (20-4)
Ranking rationale: Farmington has largely taken care of business against teams it should beat in South Suburban Conference play. Especially at home. The Tigers avenged a road loss earlier this season at Apple Valley (12-12) by throttling the Eagles 85-55. Brandon Hrncir led with 22 points.
Farmington then went on the road to beat Prior Lake (9-15) 94-77 led by Hrncir’s 24. The Tigers were in control against the Lakers, who were within striking distance earlier in the week at No. 7 Shakopee (20-4).
No. 10 Minneapolis Washburn (22-30)
Last week’s ranking: 5
This week’s games: Feb. 29 vs. St. Anthony (11-13), March 2 at St. Paul Central (19-4)
Ranking rationale: Minneapolis Washburn has been one of the tougher teams to rank all season. The Millers are a Class 4A team with a gaudy record, though they play mostly smaller schools in the Minneapolis City Conference.
Washburn has tons of good wins, but not many great ones. With that said, it did hang tough at defending Class 4A state champion and No. 1 almost all season, Wayzata (24-1).
The Millers’ only other loss prior to last week was by five on a neutral court to Eagan (14-10), which has spent time in the Power 25 this season and re-enters this week at No. 24. Washburn suffered its one true upset last week with a 75-72 loss at Blake (17-7).
Perhaps there was some rust in the team’s first game in seven days. Washburn led 40-39 at halftime. Kyle Jorgensen led with 22 points. A case could be made to drop the Millers out of the top 10. One more disappointing performance, even in victory, could do the trick.
No. 11 Cretin-Derham Hall (20-4)
Last week’s ranking: 13
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. Robbinsdale Armstrong (13-11), Feb. 29 at Forest Lake (14-10)
Ranking rationale: Cretin-Derham Hall clinched a share of the Suburban East Conference title last week thanks to a 68-62 win vs. a Mounds View (16-8) team in consideration for the Power 25 this week, as well as a 70-53 win at Stillwater (12-13). A win vs. Forest Lake or a loss by No. 17 East Ridge (17-7) at Roseville (15-10) gives the Raiders the outright title.
C-DH is up to a five-game win streak. The Mounds View win featured 19 points for Joe Mitchell and 18 for Monteff Dixon. The Raiders led by 12 at halftime. Cretin-Derham Hall led by 13 against the Ponies. Dixon led with 23 points. Cretin-Derham Hall lacks the eye-popping wins to climb higher, but it’s racking up a solid resume of solid victories.
No. 12 Lakeville South (16-8)
Last week’s ranking: 12
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. Prior Lake (9-15), March 1 at Eastview (4-20)
Ranking rationale: Losing to No. 7 Shakopee is no issue. Losing by 28 at home is a concern. The red-hot Sabers had their way with the Cougars in a 74-46 win. Lakeville South is good enough defensively to hang around with most teams, but the offense can also go dry. Ryan Johnson led on this night with 16 points.
It was the opposite of South’s 76-47 win earlier in the week at Rosemount (8-15). Lauson Schmidt poured in 30 points. An upset loss that sent previous No. 10 dropping in the Power 25 allows the Cougars to not lose any ground this week.
No. 13 Mankato East (23-2)
Last week’s ranking: 10
This week’s games: March 1 vs. Winona (6-19)
Ranking rationale: Mankato East won a pair of games by a combined 80 points last week. Unfortunately for the Cougars, all they’re probably thinking of is a 59-58 loss at the Taylor Center to rival, Mankato West (19-6). As long as East wins this week against a bottomfeeder in the Big 9, it should still have the Cougars as conference champs.
However, it casts some doubt on a team that had its 16-game win streak snapped. East has quality wins over fellow Class 3A powers Orono (14-10) and current No. 14 Stewartville (22-3) to lean on. It’s beaten both teams it lost two, having salvaged a season split with Rochester Century (18-7), which debuts in the Power 25 this week at No. 23.
East bounced back from the West loss with a 105-58 win vs. Red Wing (6-18) and a 65-32 win at Austin (9-16).
No. 14 Stewartville (22-3)
Last week’s ranking: 14
This week’s games: Feb. 29 vs. St. Peter (13-12)
Ranking rationale: The Tigers continue to make mincemeat of their conference competition. They devoured Pine Island (9-16) 73-36 and went on the road to feast on Goodhue (14-13) 87-32. Stewartville ran the table in the Hiawatha Valley League, in all true road games and all home games. Its only losses were on neutral sites with two coming by one possession and all three to teams ranked now and/or currently. Parker Wangen’s 17 points led four Tigers in double figures vs. Pine Island.
No. 15 Edina (14-10)
Last week’s ranking: 20
This week’s games: Feb. 27 vs. No. 20 Maple Grove (16-8), March 1 at Eden Prairie (9-16)
Ranking rationale: The Hornets have been mighty streaky this season, but there’s not an opponent they don’t think they can beat. And for good reason.
Edina owns four wins against the current Power 25, including a season sweep of No. 4 Minnetonka (19-5). The Hornets already had a road win in the series and defended home court with a resounding 82-67 win in the rematch. Edina led just 39-37 at halftime before pulling away. Josiah Coleman had one of his top games of the season to lead all scorers with 29 points.
That was quite the bounce back after a surprising 60-59 loss at St. Michael-Albertville (10-14) the week prior extended Edina’s losing streak to three. There was a bit of a letdown after the Minnetonka win, but Edina lived to tell about it with a 51-46 win vs. Buffalo (11-13). The Hornets had to climb out of a 24-16 deficit at the break. Coleman led again with 21 points.
No. 16 DeLaSalle (17-9)
Last week’s ranking: 15
This week’s games: None
Ranking rationale: The Islanders like to test themselves against top competition from all classes. Fortunately for them, this 3A blue blood no longer has to concern itself with Class 4A competition. DeLaSalle gave Class 4A Hopkins (19-5), which climbed two spots to No. 6 this week, a good battle, but fell 88-77 in a Saturday matinee. Jaeden Udean led four on the squad with 19 points.
That moved DeLaSalle to 0-5 against 4A foes, though all of them are in the Power 25 and all were within 11 points. Two of the Islanders’ other losses were to South Dakota teams at the Hoop City Classic. On the bright side, DeLaSalle rattled off yet another Tri-Metro Conference title. It sealed the deal with an 87-64 win vs. Fridley (16-7). Udean led again with 22 points.
No. 17 East Ridge (17-7)
Last week’s ranking: 18
This week’s games: Feb. 28 at No. 2 Totino-Grace (21-4), March 1 at Roseville (14-10)
Ranking rationale: The knock on East Ridge has been a lack of top shelf wins. The Raptors had their chances early in the season in their non-conference slate, but they hadn’t gelled as a team that’s moved on from college level talent the past couple seasons. A big opportunity looms this week to continue their ascension up the Power 25.
East Ridge has bounced back from a 4-7 start to win 13 straight games. It still likely will not be enough to win the Suburban East Conference, but it has the team to make it to state and get the last laugh on conference rival and No. 11 Cretin-Derham Hall (20-4) in the Class 4A, Section 4 tournament.
The Raptors won both games last week, prevailing 66-57 at Forest Lake (14-10) and 80-48 vs. Woodbury (9-16). Cedric Tomes led with 27 points at Forest Lake and with 20 vs. Woodbury.
No. 18 Waconia (19-5)
Last week’s ranking: 19
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. Chanhassen (12-11), March 1 at St. Louis Park (12-12)
Ranking rationale: The Wildcats picked up one of their biggest wins of the season last week, coming away with a 59-51 home victory vs. previous No. 17 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (15-9), Jackson Hayes starred with 21 points.
There was a bit of a letdown in the first half of the next game vs. Chaska (10-14), but Waconia battled back from a four-point halftime deficit to win comfortably. Gavin Olson had 22 points and William Kirsch was close behind with 21.
No. 19 Osseo (17-8)
Last week’s ranking: 22
This week’s games: Feb. 26 at Andover (10-15)
Ranking rationale: Osseo is experiencing a late season resurgence. The Orioles were in jeopardy of falling out of the Power 25 with another poor week, but instead they rattled off two ranked victories.
The first was 59-54 vs. previous No. 16 Maple Grove (16-8). The next was a 76-69 win at a then-red hot Robbinsdale Armstrong team that was previously at No. 25. De’Maari Larkins dropped 25 points.
No. 20 Maple Grove (16-8)
Last week’s ranking: 16
This week’s games: Feb. 27 at No. 15 Edina (14-10), Feb. 29 at Rosemount (8-15)
Ranking rationale: A four-spot drop might be a bit much, but there were a few teams near the Crimson in the Power 25 who had big weeks. Osseo (17-8) gets the nod at No. 19 due to its win last week at home vs. Maple Grove, 59-54. The two teams split the season series.
Maple Grove bounced back from losing its seven-game win streak by creating a new one. It cruised 90-60 at Blaine (6-19). Henry Stang had 32 of the team’s season high 90 points. Keegan Harney chipped in 23.
No. 21 Benilde-St. Margaret's (15-9)
Last week’s ranking: 17
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. Chaska (10-14), March 1 at New Prague (5-19)
Ranking rationale: Benilde-St. Margaret’s nearly mounted an impressive undefeated season in Metro West Conference play. Almost every team is capable of knocking off the other, which is what happened when Waconia took down the Red Knights last week 59-51 in Waconia. Jalen Wilson highlighted the losing effort with 17 points.
Benilde-St. Margaret's took out its frustration a few nights later on Orono (14-10), winning 85-68. Jayden Daisy led with 23 points.
No. 22 Alexandria (17-5)
Last week’s ranking: 23
This week’s games: Feb. 26 at Sartell (4-19), March 1 at Bemidji (11-13)
Ranking rationale: Alexandria remains one of the top teams outside the metro. The Cardinals hit a bit of a skid midway through the season, but they’re on fire as the postseason nears with eight straight wins. Last week featured a 107-54 mashing of St. Cloud Apollo (6-18) and an 85-50 drubbing at Fergus Falls (11-12). Those wins were the final nails in the coffin of a Central Lakes Conference title.
No. 23 Eagan (14-10)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Feb. 26 vs. No. 8 Lakeville North (19-5), March 1 at Prior Lake (9-15)
Ranking rationale: Eagan is back in the Power 25 after stints earlier this season. The Wildcats didn’t do anything out of this world last week, but they took care of business against teams they should, winning 64-50 at Burnsville (3-21) and 67-53 vs. Apple Valley (12-12).
Eagan actually had to battle back from a three-point deficit vs. the Blaze. Max Buslee led the way with 17 points on five made threes. Eagan was in better control against the Eagles and was led by yet another 17-point, five made threes night by Buslee.
Eagan’s overall resume is solid with few bad losses and some nice wins, including this week’s Power 25 debutant, No. 24 Rochester Century (18-7).
No. 24 Rochester Century (18-7)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: March 1 vs. Austin (9-16)
Ranking rationale: When Mankato West upset previous No. 10 Mankato East (23-2) last week, I had my eyes on moving the Scarlets into the Power 25. Then, Rochester Century swooped in and beat the team that beat the top-10 foe. Not to mention, Century was the first team to beat East this season when it won 83-78 in Mankato. That was East’s lone home loss.
Last week, the Panthers began with an 85-58 win vs. Rochester Mayo (11-12). They continued with a 76-64 win vs. Mankato West and extended their win streak to six with an 87-63 win at Red Wing (6-18). Shaun Wysocki led with 28 points vs. Mayo.
No. 25 Tartan (20-4)
Last week’s ranking: N/R
This week’s games: Feb. 26 at Hastings (13-11), March 1 at Mahtomedi (14-10)
Ranking rationale: Tartan has faced perhaps the softest schedule of any Class 4A team this season, but the Titans should still be proud of a 20-win season. Barring a pair of losses this week, the Metro East Conference title is also theirs.
Tartan inched closer to its conference crown with a 94-60 win at Two Rivers (8-16) and 54-45 win at North St. Paul (9-14). Jazayah Gates led with 19 points in the first one.
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