2022-2023 Northern Lakes (WI) Conference Preview

Overview:

Florence has been probably the most consistent team in the Northern Lakes over the last five seasons. Expect them to be competing at the top of the conference since they return the only 1st-Team All-Conference section (Evan Johnson - 15.6ppg) and Co-Defensive POY (Dominic DeMuri - 9.6ppg) from last season. Along with those two, William Kelley is a promising junior who averaged 12.5ppg last season and was a 2nd-Team All-Conference selection. They were competitive last season but Wabeno-Laona just had to much scoring power. Wabeno-Laona graduated their two leading scorers, but still bring back Carter Janesch (10.4ppg). Goodman-Pembine and Three Lakes are in very similar situations, where they lost a couple of seniors who were key pieces but also bring back some young talent that might be able to keep them in the mix of things. Goodman-Pembine returns Honorable Mention All-Conference selection Ryan Ehlert (14.6ppg). Three Lakes brings back Jared Kaufman (8.4ppg and 10.0rpg), who was also Honorable Mention All-Conference. The bottom three teams don't return any All-Conference selections. Crandon does have some decent players returning this season, but I don't anticipate it being enough to keep them competitive to win the conference. Elcho graduated two All-Conference selections in a year where they still struggled, so I can't expect much more out of them this year. Phelps hasn't won a game in two years, so I have to pick them at the bottom until they prove me otherwise.

Projections:

1. Florence Bobcats (2021-2022 season: 19-6 overall, 7-3 conference, 2nd)

2. Wabeno/Laona Rebels (2021-2022 season: 19-6 overall, 9-1 conference, 1st)

3. Goodman/Pembine (2021-2022 season: 15-9 overall, 5-5 conference, 4th)

4. Three Lakes Blue Jays (2021-2022 season: 14-7 overall, 6-4 conference, 3rd)

5. Crandon Cardinals (2021-2022 season: 7-17 overall, 2-8 conference, 5th)

6. Elcho (2021-2022 season: 10-13 overall, 1-9 conference, 6th)

7. Phelps (2021-2022 season: 0-2 overall, 0-0 conference, 7th)

Sleeper: Three Lakes

Projected POY: Evan Johnson (Senior) - Florence

Seniors to Watch:
Dominic DeMuri (Florence)

Carter Janesch (Wabeno-Laona)

Peyton Krause (Crandon)

Adam Seeber (Wabeno-Laona)

John Slowik (Elcho)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2022 - Goodman-Pembine @ Crandon

12/13/2022 - Wabeno-Laona @ Florence

12/16/2022 - Wabeno-Laona @ Goodman-Pembine

1/10/2023 - Three Lakes @ Goodman-Pembine

2/13/2023 - Three Lakes @ Florence

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

11/26/2022 - McDonell Central vs. Wabeno-Laona @ Wausau East

12/20/2022 - Forest Park (MI) @ Florence

1/3/2023 - Wakefield-Marenisco (MI) @ Three Lakes

2/7/2023 - Chequamegon @ Florence

2/16/2023 - Pacelli @ Wabeno/Laona