2021-2022 Great Northern (WI) Predictions

Overview:

I think this is the year that Rhinelander gets over the hump and wins the Great Northern. Jacksen Smith (11.4 PPG) is poised to have a breakout senior season and the Hodags will need it if they want to claim the title. Medford graduated a lot of seniors which is tough to recover from, but they do return Logan Baumgartner (15.5 PPG) who is the only returning 1st-team All-Conference selection. Northland Pines returns multiple All-Conference selections and could make a run, but they might be a year away still. Mosinee and Lakeland are both teams that should be competitive, but I think it will be an uphill battle for each of them to win the title. Antigo and Tomahawk are in the bottom tier and I don't believe they will be very competitive.

Projections:

1. Rhinelander Hodags (2020-2021 season: 14-6 overall, 10-2 conference, 2nd)

2. Medford Raiders (2020-2021 season: 24-3 overall, 12-0 conference, 1st)

3. Northland Pines Eagles (2020-2021 season: 9-13 overall, 5-7 conference, 4th)

4. Mosinee Indians (2020-2021 season: 16-10 overall, 8-4 conference, 3rd)

5. Lakeland Thunderbirds (2020-2021 season: 7-16 overall, 3-9 conference, 5th)

6. Antigo Red Birds (2020-2021 season: 2-11 overall, 2-10 conference, 6th)

7. Tomahawk Hatchets (2020-2021 season: 5-14 overall, 2-10 conference, 7th)

Sleeper: Northland Pines

Projected POY: Jacksen Smith (Senior) - Rhinelander

*Juniors to Watch:

Logan Baumgartner (Medford)

Nolan Lurvey (Northland Pines)

Riley Muench (Northland Pines)

Will Fortier (Lakeland)

Davin Stoffel (Mosinee)

Conference Games to Watch:

1/28/2022 - Rhinelander @ Northland Pines

2/8/2022 - Rhinelander @ Medford

2/11/2022 - Medford @ Northland Pines

2/18/2022 - Mosinee @ Medford

2/24/2022 - Lakeland @ Mosinee

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/3/2021 - Rhinelander @ DC Everest

12/28/2021 - Peshtigo @ Northland Pines

1/18/2022 - Marathon @ Mosinee

1/21/2022 - Stevens Point @ Rhinelander

1/25/2022 - New Richmond @ Medford

*Due to the Great Northern Conference not being very deep with its senior class this has been changed to focus on the junior class.