2021-2022 Indianhead Predictions

Overview:

Hurley appears to be the overwhelming favorite to win the Indianhead this year, they are riding a 21-game conference winning streak over the last two seasons. The Northstars return five all-conference selections from last season, more than any other team in the conference. Eli Talsma (17.9 PPG) and Dominic Croci (11.3 PPG) are going to be one of the toughest backcourts in the Northwoods this season. The only other team that I truly see pushing them for the championship is South Shore. Koy Nelson is one of the most exciting players to watch and led the conference in scoring as a junior (25.1 PPG). The rest of the Indianhead has some talent, but I don't think there is enough experience to beat either of those top two teams. Bayfield, Drummond, Mellen, and Solon Springs should all be competitive, but the have a lot of young talent and I don't think they are quite there to top Hurley or South Shore. Butternut, Lac Courte Oreilles, Mercer, and Washburn are expected to battle it out at the bottom of the conference. Maybe those teams will steal a game here and there, but not super competitive.

Projections:

1. Hurley Northstars (2020-2021 season: 23-3 overall, 9-0 conference, 1st)

2. South Shore Cardinals (2020-2021 season: 16-8 overall, 7-2 conference, 2nd)
3. Drummond LumberJacks (2020-2021 season: 12-6 overall, 6-2 conference, 3rd)

4. Solon Springs Eagles (2020-2021 season: 6-9 overall, 3-4 conference, 6th)

5. Mellen Granite Diggers (2020-2021 season: 8-7 overall, 3-3 conference, 5th)

6. Bayfield Trollers (2020-2021 season: 5-7 overall, 5-4 conference, 4th)

7. Butternut Midgets (2020-2021 season: 5-15 overall, 3-6 conference, 7th)

8. Washburn Castle Guards (2020-2021 season: 3-8 overall, 1-6 conference, 8th)

9. Mercer Tigers (2020-2021 season: 6-15 overall, 1-7 conference, 9th)

10. Lac Courte Oreilles Eagles (2020-2021 season: 3-11 overall, 0-0 conference, N/A)

***Ironwood has left the Indianhead Conference and has joined the Michigan based Copper Mountain Conference as of 2021-2022***

***Lac Courte Oreilles will join the Indianhead Conference effective in the fall of 2021-2022. They were an independent school before joining***

Sleeper: Mellen

Projected POY: Eli Talsma (Junior) - Hurley

Seniors to Watch:
Tony Cummings - Hurley

Ryan Losh - Mercer

Chase Miller - Drummond

Koy Nelson - South Shore

Braxton Sbraggia - Hurley

Conference Games to Watch:
1/18/22 - South Shore @ Hurley

1/21/22 - Mellen @ Solon Springs

1/28/22 - Hurley @ Drummond

2/11/22 - Solon Springs @ Drummond

2/21/22 - Hurley @ South Shore

Non-Conference Games to Watch:
12/28/21 - Chequamegon @ South Shore

1/31/22 - Ewen-Trout Creek @ Hurley

2/14/22 - South Shore @ Ashland

2/15/22 - Hurley @ Northwestern

2/21/22 - Northwood @ Solon Springs