2021-2022 Lake Superior Predictions

Overview:

It appears that Cloquet returns the most talent from last season, including Alec Turnbull and Connor Barney. Duluth Marshall will be one of the top small schools in the Iron Range, but Jasper Timm (23.3 PPG) should be enough for them to remain extremely competitive in the Lake Superior Conference. Hermantown and Superior should both be competitive and could finish anywhere in the top half of the league. Neither Hermantown or Superior return as much of their top talent as Cloquet and Duluth Marshall. Grand Rapids is in the middle of the league and I don't think they will be competitive for the title, but should beat the bottom tier teams. Expect some struggles out of Duluth Denfeld and Proctor again this season.

Projections:

1. Cloquet Lumberjacks (2020-2021 season: 13-7 overall, 9-0 conference, 1st)

2. Duluth Marshall Toppers (2020-2021 season: 16-10 overall, 8-4 conference, 3rd)

3. Hermantown Hawks (2020-2021 season: 24-3 overall, 12-0 conference, 1st)

4. Superior Spartans (2020-2021 season: 8-9 overall, 6-2 conference, 3rd)

5. Grand Rapids Thunderhawks (2020-2021 season: 7-16 overall, 3-9 conference, 5th)

6. Duluth Denfeld (2020-2021 season: 5-14 overall, 2-10 conference, 6th)

7. Proctor Rails (2020-2021 season: 2-11 overall, 2-10 conference, 7th)

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

Sleeper: Superior

Projected POY: Jasper Timm (Senior) - Duluth Marshall

Seniors to Watch:

Connor Barney (Cloquet)

Evan Bennet (Superior)

Austin Hanson (Grand Rapids)

Alex Olson (Duluth Marshall)

Alec Turnbull (Cloquet)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2021 - Duluth Marshall @ Cloquet

1/11/2022 - Superior @ Duluth Marshall

1/31/2022 - Cloquet @ Duluth Marshall

2/10/2022 - Duluth Marshall @ Hermantown

2/15/2022 - Grand Rapids @ Hermantown

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/14/2021 - Northwestern @ Superior

1/8/2022 - Hermantown vs. Pine City @ Duluth East

1/15/2022 - Duluth Marshall @ Ashland

1/25/2022 - Cloquet @ Duluth East

1/29/2022 - Irondale @ Duluth Denfeld