Tri-Metro Conference Boys Basketball: Providence Academy Lions Roar Into New Conference

Providence Academy student athletes learn that patience is a virtue during their years at school.

For the Lions boys basketball team, they will aim for that patience to pay off this year. The team enters this season with all but two players returning after an 11-13 season the year before.

They posted their best record in the school's 10-year history last year. In addition, they moved up to the Tri-Metro Conference this season after going 2-4 against Tri-Metro teams last year.

"We look forward to another historic season," said Lions Coach Adam Schmalzbauer.

The Lions lost senior center Christian Kennedy to graduation, but they return plenty of talent. Junior captain Jackson Canfield, junior guard Joe Heck and seniors Nick Schmitz all return. Canfield provided 17.5 points per game and Heck posted 14 a night last year.

Junior center Eric Richelsen also returns after having been injured much of last year. Leading rebounder sophomore Ben Ratiliff will clean the glass again for the Lions.

A number of the Lions basketball players also took part in the football team's run to the state semifinals in November. They hope to take that momentum from the gridiron to the hardwood. 

They opened their season with a 68-49 win over Southwest Christian on Friday, Dec. 2. The Lions will open Tri-Metro play on Tuesday night against Minnehaha Academy.

TEAMS TO WATCH

DeLaSalle - The Islanders have a 27-game winning streak going in the conference, but they do have six seniors gone and return little varsity experience. Talent will likely make up for that. 

Concordia Academy - The Beacons tied for first in the west division last year, and they enter the season as favorites again. They also have experience on their side with nine seniors and their leading scorer returns.

Blake - The Bears have their top-two scorers returning from a team that won 19 games last year.

Minnehaha Academy - The Redhawks made a late-season run to state before losing in the quarterfinals and they return one of their top two scorers.

KEY RETURNERS

Tyler Moore (DeLaSalle) - He will share the point guard position for the Islanders.

Jarvis Johnson (DeLaSalle) - The talented freshman will share time at point guard with Moore.

Gerald McCarver (Minnehaha) - He scored 19 points per game last year.

John Prior (Minnehaha) - Provides scoring punch at point guard.

John Veil (Blake) - The Bears second leading scorer from last season with 8.5 points per game and he dished out 117 assists and stole the ball 48 times.

JR Bascom (Blake) - Likely to improve on last year's 76 rebounds and 4.2 points per game as a freshman.

KEY LOSSES

Jonah Travis (DeLaSalle) - Now plays Division I hoops at Harvard.

Riley Dearring (DeLaSalle) -Transferred to Minnetonka.

Matt Prior (Minnehaha) - Had 18 points per game for the Redhawks last season.

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Cutler Finneman (Concordia Academy) - He scored 17 points per game last year for the Beacons and will play college ball at NAIA Sioux Falls.