Concordia Academy Boys Basketball Squad Looks to Pass Final Section Hurdle

When Concordia Academy Beacons basketball players saw the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks cut the nets last March following a 62-58 sectional final loss, they couldn’t wait for December.

"We expect to compete for the conference championship and get back to the section final," Beacons coach Eric Shutte said.

Nine seniors fill the roster for the Beacons, and they look to take another step this season after building in the last two. The Beacons went 15-13 in 2009-2010 and fell in the section semifinals, and they improved to 20-9 last year and claimed the Tri-Metro Conference East Division title. Their run to state fell short against Minnehaha in the Section 4AA finals.

"All players in our program have the goal to make it to state," Shutte said.  "Our seniors will show great leadership in helping us get back to the section final and win state."

Though the Beacons lost four of their top five scorers from that team, they have plenty of firepower returning. Senior forward Cutler Finneman returns with a team-leading 15 points and eight rebounds per game from last season. He also has signed to play college basketball at the University of Sioux Falls next year. Senior guard Christian Koehn gives the Beacons some points from the backcourt.

"Culter can plan inside and out and always draws a double team," Beacons said. "This opens up others and he is a great passer."

Seniors Josh Falk and Zach Osmundson will also be looked to for leadership. In addition, seniors Drew Moldenhauer, Gavin Farley, Michael Beale and Quinten Allums will all see minutes. Besides the seniors, juniors Roger Moore, Jared Schneidermann and Charlie Kennelly give the Beacons more offensive power.

"We have a very balance scoring team with plenty of depth on the bench," Shutte said. "We will not be relying on one player to carry us on offense."

St. Anthony poses the biggest challenge for the Beacons in the Tri-Metro East. Anthony Brama gives the Huskies a dangerous offensive weapon with 21 points per game from last season. The Huskies beat the Beacons in their first meeting of the season on Friday, 63-53. The two teams will face each other again on Feb. 17. The Huskies swept the Beacons last year.

Osmundson had started the Beacons’ season with a bang by sinking a game-winning shot in the final three seconds to defeat St. Agnes 65-63 in their home opener Tuesday. Koehn had 20 points to lead the Beacons, and Kennelly added 10.

The Beacons had been scheduled to play against Trinity School in Eagan on Dec. 2, but the game was postponed following the unexpected death of Trinity player Johnny McClure. The game has been rescheduled for Dec. 17.

Schutte has started his ninth season of coaching the Beacons. He led the team to the state tournament in 2004, and he has plenty of talent to work with this time around.

"We have a roster of 12 players and all can play at the varsity level," Schutte said. "Some will get more minutes than others and if they can play their role we will be a good team in March."