The name Khalid El-Amin gets plenty of Minnesota basketball fans flooded with memories of one of the best this state’s ever seen. “Every time I walk into the gymnasium - as you see it’s a game tonight, and you can start to smell the popcorn, it brings back a lot of goosebumps in me,” he said.
READ MORE: Body Cam Footage Examined On Day 2 In Federal Trial Of Ex-Officers In George Floyd's Death That’s why it’s such a big deal that he’s back where it all began. Khalid El-Amin is definitely one of those names. “We feel we can compete in any game if we do the things we have to do and stay healthy,” he said.MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - There are some names in Minnesota basketball that just jump off the page. Outlook: The Warriors have four players who saw a lot of action last year, and Linton thinks he’s looking at an improved season. Key players: senior guard Tre Michaels, senior forward Eric Lail, sophomore forward Jaden Morgan and sophomore center Max Mogelson. “It’s going to be a bit of a process.” According to El-Amin, his team “can shoot it,” but he was quick to add that STA’s defense will require a lot of improvement. “We have a lot of bad habits to break,” he said.
Outlook: New coach El-Amin, who won an NCAA national title before having a long professional basketball career, said the Cadets are due for some changes. Key players: senior forward Nathan Johnson and junior guard Michael Kirchner. “We have a lot of size,” he said, “but we need to reduce our turnovers and improve our man-to-man defense.” Saint Thomas Academy Outlook: Two starters return for the Spartans and Keto thinks that a realistic goal is finishing in the top three in the conference. Key players: senior wings Brant and Clarke Baskerville, senior post Charlie Johnson, senior post Gregory Forsberg, sophomore point guard Tim Carter and sophomore post Tysen Hayes. “It’s all about laying building blocks.” Saint Paul Academy “We’ll still be building this year,” Carrier said. The Knights have three seniors and two juniors. Outlook: Carrier knows that he’s building a program and positive steps must be measured in small quantities. Key players: sophomore post Silas Revenaugh, senior wing Spencer Frost and senior wing Liam Borell. “As usual, our schedule is loaded with top opponents, so we’re going to be battle-tested come March,” Johnson said. The Redhawks have several talented juniors who are looking to gain experience as the year progresses. However, like most good teams, Minnehaha doesn’t rebuild-it reloads. Outlook: The Redhawks were also hit hard by graduation from last years’s Class AAA state championship team. Key players: senior forward Prince Aligbe and sophomore guard Mercy Miller. “We have a lot of sophomores who’ll play a lot of minutes for us, but toward the end of the season we should be pretty good.” Minnehaha Academy Outlook: The Scots were heavily hit by graduation from last year’s team. Key players: junior guard/forward Ishmael Powell, and sophomore guards Andrew Bacigalupi and Xavier May. “I think we have some really good potential,” Kline said, “but we have a long way to go.” Highland Park Outlook: The Raiders finished second in the state Class AAAA tournament last season and are ranked among the top 10 in their class once again this year. Key players: senior guards Tre Holloman and Donavhan Cain, senior forward Brandon Melchoir and junior forward Adam Tauer. He picks Central, Como and Johnson in a three-horse race for the conference title. The team returns only one starter, but Howell thinks he’ll see improvement as the year wears on. Outlook: The Minutemen have some size this season, though they’re still looking to play an uptempo game. Key players: senior guard Gedeon Musabyimana, senior forward Jaylen Cardenas and senior guard Jakobi Baer-Taki. Here’s how local boys’ basketball teams look as they take their shots at success for the 2021-22 season: Central “I know coaches who want it and coaches who couldn’t care less about it,” he said. “I’m all in favor of it,” he said, “but we have to make sure our kids are coached for it.”įirst-year Saint Thomas Academy coach Khalid El-Amin took a more moderated stance about the decision. Highland Park coach Saladin Wright agreed that shot clocks will speed up the game.