Antigo Red Robins (2024-25 season: 11-14 overall, 4-8 conference, t-5th)
Graduated three All-Conference seniors from last season. It will be tough to replace Mitch Meyer, Gus Schuessler, and Colton Thomae. Two best returning scorers are a junior (Scotty Hagerty - 6.6 PPG and 4.7 RPG) and a sophomore (Isaac Buchman - 5.3 PPG). New head coach, Chris Lucas.
Lakeland Thunderbirds (2024-25 season: 10-15 overall, 4-8 conference, t-5th)
It was an extremely young roster for the Thunderbirds last year, only two seniors on the team. Their top three scorers from last season are returning, including two All-Conference selections. Senior Evan Zoch was a 2nd-Team All-Conference and junior Jackson Burnett was Honorable Mention last season. Zoch led the team in scoring at 14.6 points per game. Burnett was second on the team at 11.5 points per game. Senior Benny Gahler averaged 6.6 points per game last year.
Medford Raiders (2024-25 season: 13-11 overall, 9-3 conference, t-2nd)
Nick Krause is returning for his senior season after a 2nd-Team All-Conference selection last season. He was second on the team in scoring at 11.7 points per game, while shooting 33.7% from three (66-196). Fellow senior Will Daniels was a Honorable Mention selection last year. He averaged 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a junior. It will be exciting to follow the upcoming sophomore Devin Dassow, who was Honorable Mention as a freshman. Dassow was a full-time starter last year, averaged 5.5 points per game, and led the team with 3.4 assists per game.
Merrill Bluejays (2024-25 season: 11-15 overall, 2-10 conference, 6th - Wisconsin Valley)
First year of joining the Great Northern Conference. They graduated their lone All-Conference selection in EJ Weix (Honorable Mention). Tyson Ott is a junior who averaged 9.3 points and 2.2 steals per game last year. Cooper Wendorf and Eli Burtman are two senior who played in all 26 games last season, both started a few games. Wendorf averaged 4.4 points per game and Eli Burtman averaged 3.8 points per game. Finished 5-3 against Great Northern teams last season; wins were against Antigo (2x), Lakeland, Medford, and Tomahawk.
Mosinee Indians (2024-25 season: 18-8 overall, 9-3 conference, t-2nd)
The five leading scorers from their team are back for more this season. Brayden Reinke was named to the WBCA Division 2 All-State team as a sophomore after he averaged 20.1 points (led conference), 11.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Treve Stoffel (14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game) was another 1st-Team All-Conference selection. Carson Balgord (11.4 PPG) shot 38.0% from three last season (57-150) and Sebastian Andersen (8.9 PPG) were Honorable Mention selections as juniors. Mitchell Michlig (5.4 PPG) is another senior who should contribute heavily.
Northland Pines Eagles (2024-25 season: 15-11 overall, 6-6 conference, 4th)
Mylo Albrecht was one of the best players in the conference as a junior, he should be able to continue that trajectory as a senior. He was their leading scorer and rebounder last season at 16.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Outside of him, they will be a little inexperienced but do return two juniors who saw good action as sophomores. Jack Albrecht (4.5 PPG) was a full-time starter last season and Ethan Miller (4.3 PPG) brought some good size at 6'6" off the bench. Assuming Miller will step into a full-time starter role this season.
Rhinelander Hodags (2024-25 season: 19-6 overall, 10-2 conference, 1st)
Return lots of talent from last season's team that won the Conference Championship. Losing their leading scorer and 1st-Team All-Conference selection, Truman Lamers, will have it's challenges. Devin Feck and Evan Schroeder (both 2nd-Team All-Conference selections) will both be asked to lead the team. Honorable Mention selections, Abe Gretzinger (JR) and Jay Barkaus (SR) should provide more depth for the Hodags. Feck (13.2 PPG), Schroeder (9.5 PPG), Gretzinger (8.5 PPG), and Barkus (7.1 PPG) round out last seasons top-five scorers.
Tomahawk Hatchets (2024-25 season: 4-21 overall, 0-12 conference, 7th)
Bring back their lone All-Conference selection, senior Jeremiah Johnson (HM) who was their leading scorer last season. They graduated last seasons next two leading scorers. The loss of Dominic Boos will be tough to fill, he led the team in rebounds and assists along with being second in scoring.
Projections:
1. Mosinee
2. Rhinelander
3. Medford
4. Northland Pines
5. Merrill
6. Lakeland
7. Antigo
8. Tomahawk
Conference Overview:
Mosinee might have the best player in the conference, and they have a lot of scoring back. Rhinelander returns a very good senior class, and could really give Mosinee a run for their money. Medford is one of those teams that always seems to be in the mix, no matter how much experience they have coming back. With three All-Conference selections back, they should be in the mix of things. Northland Pines is a team that could be a bit of a sleeper. They could make a bit of a push up the standings, but maybe not to a title. Merrill comes in and has had some success in recent seasons against teams that are picked below them. Lakeland has enough pieces returning that they should be a middle of the road team at worst. Antigo graduated a decent amount of production, it will be a young team with a new head coach. Tomahawk just hasn't had much lately, not sure when that is going to change for them.
Conference MVP: Brayden Reinke (Junior) - Mosinee
Other Players to Watch:
Mylo Albrecht (Senior) - Northland Pines
Devin Feck (Senior) - Rhinelander
Nick Krause (Senior) - Medford
Evan Schroeder (Senior) - Rhinelander
Treve Stoffel (Senior) - Mosinee
Games to Watch:
Xavier @ Mosinee (12/2/25)
Altoona @ Medford (1/20/26)
Northland Pines @ Wausau East (1/20/26)
Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln @ Rhinelander (2/3/26)
Mosinee vs. Rhinelander (@ Rhinelander 1/16/26 and @ Mosinee 2/26/26)
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