2022-2023 Heart O' North Conference Preview

Overview:

Ladysmith and Cameron are the two obvious choices to with the most All-Conference selections returning, both have three. Cameron is coming off a State Tournament appearance and I think that gives them the confidence they need to win conference. They also return their three leading scorers (Tyson Lucas - 16.7ppg, Grant Paetzold - 14.6ppg, and Zory Parker - 13.3ppg). Ladysmith brings back three All-Conference selections who were also their leading scorers a year ago (Brady Ingersoll - 20.4ppg, Eli Rogers - 12.3ppg, and Mitchell Lehman 10.9ppg). Northwestern returns two 1st-Team All-Conference selections (Cole Lahti & Jase Nelson), which should keep them competitive. Barron could sneak into the mix of contenders with their two All-Conference returners as well (Caiden LaLiberty - 2nd-Team & Regan Vruwink - HM). Jax Effertz (1st-Team & 17.8ppg) is going to need to have a productive season to keep Cumberland competitive. Saint Croix Falls graduated a good senior class in 2022, it might be tough to replace but they always seem to have good athletes. Chetek-Weyerhaeuser could make some noise, but I don't anticipate it being enough to be competitive at the top of the HoN. Spooner is coming off their best season in awhile, but graduated their best players. I don't anticipate Ashland or Hayward making a huge jump this season, both programs seem to be struggling with not a lot of new talent coming into the programs.

Projections:

1. Cameron Comets (2021-2022 season: 19-8 overall, 12-5 conference, t-2nd)

2. Ladysmith Lumberjacks (2021-2022 season: 17-7 overall, 12-5 conference, t-2nd)

3. Northwestern Tigers (2021-2022 season: 22-4 overall, 17-0 conference, 1st)

4. Barron Golden Bears (2021-2022 season: 10-15 overall, 9-9 conference, 6th)

5. Cumberland Beavers (2021-2022 season: 9-16 overall, 5-12 conference, 7th)

6. Saint Croix Falls Saints (2021-2022 season: 14-11 overall, 11-7 conference, t-4th)

7. Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Bulldogs (2021-2022 season: 8-17 overall, 5-13 conference, 8th)

8. Spooner Rails (2021-2022 season: 11-13 overall, 11-7 conference, t-4th)

9. Ashland Oredockers(2021-2022 season: 5-19 overall, 3-14 conference, 9th)

10. Hayward Hurricanes (2021-2022 season: 5-19 overall, 2-15 conference, 10th)

Sleeper: Barron

Projected POY: Brady Ingersoll (Senior) - Ladysmith

Seniors to Watch:

Jax Effertz (Cumberland)

Cole Lahti (Northwestern)

Jase Nelson (Northwestern)

Grant Paetzold (Cameron)

Zory Parker (Cameron)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/6/2022 - Northwestern @ Ladysmith

12/9/2022 - Cumberland @ Barron

1/20/2023 - Saint Croix Falls @ Barron

2/9/2023 - Ladysmith @ Cameron

2/14/2023 - Cameron @ Northwestern

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

11/29/2022 - Saint Croix Falls @ Unity

12/28/2022 - Whitehall @ Ladysmith

2/6/2023 - Prescott @ Cameron

2/20/2023 - Cumberland @ Bloomer

2/21/2023 - Rice Lake @ Northwestern