2022-2023 Great Northern (WI) Conference Preview

Overview:

The Great Northern might be the deepest conferences in Northern Wisconsin this season. It seems like every team has talent and there's probably 3-4 teams who could win the conference championship. My gut has to go with Northland Pines since they return four All-Conference selections who are seniors now (Nolan Lurvey - 1st/POY, Ryan Muench - 2nd, Griffin Steimke - 2nd, & Gabe Smith - HM). This group has been getting meaningful minutes on varsity since their freshman year and they continue to improve every season. Mosinee and Medford could be a toss-up for 2-3. Mosinee graduated a couple of important players but also return Davin Stoffel (17.7ppg and 1st-Team All-Conference) and a promising junior in Keegan Jirschele (2nd-Team All-Conference). Stoffel is committed to South Dakota State for football. Medford has the co-POY returning in Logan Baumgartner (21.3ppg) and also have a promising junior of their own in Tanner Hraby (HM All-Conference). Lakeland brings back to All-Conference selections with Will Fortier (2nd & 17.5ppg) and Brayden Wiczek (HM All-Conference). I expect them to be competitive but I'm not sure if they will be able to pass the previously mentioned three teams. Antigo, Rhinelander, and Tomahawk round out the rest of the conference, in that order. Antigo brings in a new coach, which could inject some life into a recently struggling program. Rhinelander graduated a talented senior class and have no returning All-Conference selections. Tomahawk has one returning All-Conference player (Gavyn Palmer - HM) but they struggled pretty bad last season and I expect that to continue.

Projections:

1. Northland Pines Eagles (2021-2022 season: 18-7 overall, 9-3 conference, t-2nd)

2. Mosinee Indians (2021-2022 season: 22-3 overall, 11-1 conference, 1st)

3. Medford Raiders (2021-2022 season: 21-7 overall, 9-3 conference, t-2nd)

4. Lakeland Thunderbirds (2021-2022 season: 10-15 overall, 5-7 conference, 5th)

5. Antigo Red Birds (2021-2022 season: 3-22 overall, 2-10 conference, 6th)

6. Rhinelander Hodags (2021-2022 season: 13-14 overall, 6-6 conference, 4th)

7. Tomahawk Hatchets (2021-2022 season: 5-14 overall, 2-10 conference, 7th)

Sleeper: Lakeland

Projected POY: Nolan Lurvey (Senior) - Northland Pines

Seniors to Watch:

Logan Baumgartner (Medford)

Nolan Lurvey (Northland Pines)

Riley Muench (Northland Pines)

Will Fortier (Lakeland)

Davin Stoffel (Mosinee)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2022 - Lakeland @ Medford

1/28/2022 - Rhinelander @ Northland Pines

2/10/2023 - Northland Pines @ Medford

2/17/2023 - Medford @ Mosinee

2/23/2023 - Mosinee @ Lakeland

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/16/2022 - Ladysmith @ Northland Pines

12/17/2022 - Medford @ Onalaska

1/14/2023 - Mosinee @ Kaukauna

1/21/2023 - Northland Pines @ Catholic Memorial

2/20/2023 - Mosinee @ Brillion