Five on top

Hopkins: Joining TT Starks, Nia Hollie and Co. is newcomer Angelica Wiggins, sister of Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins.

Chanhassen: The combination of forward Martha Kuderer, a transfer from Eden Prairie, and guard Danielle Gitzen form a high-scoring, inside-outside tandem.

Minnetonka: Junior forward Courtney Fredrickson and senior guard Caroline Shelquist pace a long, athletic lineup that can go 10 deep.

Eden Prairie: The loss of last season’s top two scorers will be offset by a deep roster that saw plenty of court time.

Delano: Forwards Alex Wittinger, a 6-1 Illinois recruit, and Bria Barfknecht averaged a combined 35 points per games last season.

 

Five on the cusp

St. Michael-Albertville: The Knights have a core group strong enough to make it six state tournament appearances in seven years.

Waconia: Last year’s “Fun N Gun” style has been scaled back, but coach Carl Pierson still expects 80 points per game. The Wildcats have one of the metro’s best shooters in guard Anna Schmitt.

Orono: There’s a lot to like about the Spartans, not the least of which is an outstanding junior class led by 6-4 post Meghan Mandel.

Edina: The Hornets will be formidable when 6-5 Bailey Helgren returns from injury and joins with Annika Jank in the middle.

Maranatha: A sour taste from an early state tournament loss last year will provide motivation for a sixth consecutive Class 1A tourney appearance

 

Five worth watching

Minneapolis Washburn: The graduation of 2014 Metro Player of the Year Chase Coley hurts, but the Millers retain veteran guards Lucia Renikoff and Emma Shepherd.

Minnehaha Academy: Much hinges on how well junior guard Sarah Kaminski bounces back from offseason knee surgery.

Osseo: The addition of Tartan transfer Anissa Krause adds speed and tenacity to an already athletic lineup. The Orioles will improve on last year’s 16-13 record.

Richfield: Twins Kyla and Kailey Adams, 5-10 senior forwards, are physical inside players who can score and rebound.

Rogers: The Royals return four starters from a 16-victory team. That experience meshes well witth their up-tempo style.

Conference champs

Who will win the West Metro conferences?

IMAC: Minnehaha Academy

Lake: Hopkins

Metro West: Chanhassen

Minneapolis: Washburn

Northwest Suburban: Osseo

Tri-Metro: DeLaSalle

Wright County: Delano

Circle the date

Make a special effort to see these west metro matchups

Dec. 6: Tip-Off Classic (at Hopkins) - Delano vs. Park Center, 11 a.m.; Eastview at Hopkins, 7p.m.

Dec. 16: Minnetonka at Chanhassen, 7 p.m.

Feb. 19: Orono at Delano, 7 p.m.

Feb. 27: Hopkins at Minnetonka, 7 p.m.