2021-2022 Heart O' North Predictions

Overview:

Northwestern returns enough from last season that I would be shocked if they didn't win the Heart O' North. John Grohn (9.5 PPG), Cole Lahti (8.8 PPG), Monte Mayberry (13.3 PPG), and CJ Thompson (11.4 PPG) are all skilled players that are ready to push for a deep run in the playoffs. Ladysmith has a junior class (Brady Ingersoll, Mitchell Lehman, and Eli Rogers) that is talented enough to compete with Northwestern, I'm just not sure if they have the size to get them over the top. Ingersoll (21.5 PPG) is the top returning scorer from last season in the conference. Saint Croix Falls should be very competitive to round out the top tier of the conference, them and Ladysmith could finish in either order. After these teams, I think the rest of the conference levels off. Ashland, Barron, Cumberland, and Spooner all have solid pieces returning but I don't foresee that being enough to win the conference. Cameron, Chetek-Weyerhaeuser, and Hayward are looking to be the bottom tier of the conference. Cameron graduated a huge season class and lost the majority of their scoring, so unless some younger players step up it may be a tough season for them.

Projections:

1. Northwestern Tigers (2020-2021 season: 19-8 overall, 13-3 conference, 2nd)

2. Ladysmith Lumberjacks (2020-2021 season: 14-8 overall, 5-7 conference, 5th)

3. Saint Croix Falls Saints (2020-2021 season: 15-8 overall, 11-6 conference, 4th)

4. Spooner Rails (2020-2021 season: 6-8 overall, 6-6 conference, 7th)

5. Barron Golden Bears (2020-2021 season: 9-11 overall, 9-9 conference, 5th)

6. Cumberland Beavers (2020-2021 season: 11-8 overall, 11-6 conference, 3rd)

7. Ashland Oredockers(2020-2021 season: 7-8 overall, 6-7 conference, 5th - Lake Superior)
8. Cameron Comets (2020-2021 season: 20-2 overall, 15-0 conference, 1st)

9. Hayward Hurricanes (2020-2021 season: 2-19 overall, 2-16 conference, 9th)

10. Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Bulldogs (2020-2021 season: 0-19 overall, 0-18 conference, 10th)

***Ashland left the Lake Superior Conference and has joined the Heart O' North Conference as of 2021-2022***

***Bloomer has left the Heart O' North Conference and has joined the Cloverbelt-West Conference as of 2021-2022***

Sleeper: Spooner

Projected POY: Monte Mayberry (Senior) - Northwestern

Seniors to Watch:

John Grohn (Northwestern)

Connor Olson (St. Croix Falls)

Caleb Potaczek (Spooner)

Henry Schmitt (Hayward)

CJ Thompson (Northwestern)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/10/2021 - Northwestern @ Ladysmith

1/7/2022 - Ladysmith @ St. Croix Falls

2/21/2022 - Ashland @ Hayward

2/21/2022 - Barron @ Spooner

2/24/2022 - Northwestern @ St. Croix Falls

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/7/2021 - Ladysmith @ McDonell Central

12/14/2021 - Northwestern @ Superior

12/16/2021 - Somerset @ St. Croix Falls

1/25/2022 - Rice Lake @ Spooner

2/15/2022 - Hurley @ Northwestern