Team Previews:
Ashland Oredockers (2024-25 season: 3-22 overall, 2-16 conference, 10th)
Coming into the season, the Oredockers seem to have their best players in their sophomore and junior classes. 6'5" junior, Gavin Greene (Honorable Mention) will be expected to lead the way. Aiden Jolma is the other full-time returning starter from last season, averaged 6.7 points per game as a junior. Senior Jayden Popovich was a part-time starter who will be returning, while he averaged 3.0 points per game.
Barron Golden Bears (2024-25 season: 15-10 overall, 13-5 conference, t-3rd)
Returning the most All-Conference selections (two) in Zac Edwards (2nd) and Glendon Thompson (HM). Along with that, they also graduated two other All-Conference players (Brett McDonough - 1st; Adam Wirth - HM). New head coach in former Golden Bear, Eric Holten.
Cameron Comets (2024-25 season: 18-9 overall, 13-5 conference, t-3rd)
It's very rarely a good decision to bet against Cameron, no matter how much talent they graduated the year before. There are a handful of returners who got playing time last season, although stats weren't available on wissports for Cameron. JV and Freshman teams were both solid last season.
Cumberland Beavers (2024-25 season: 21-6 overall, 14-4 conference, t-1st)
Big loss when you lose a talent like Gavin Gores (6'10" freshman at Wyoming). It wasn't a one man show by any means, but those are just big shoes to fill. Top returning scorers are Troy Majewski (5.8 PPG) and Parker Peteron (4.8 PPG). Size is going to be a concern for the Beavers. New head coach in Ryan Zemke this season.
Hayward Hurricanes (2024-25 season: 6-18 overall, 6-12 conference, t-6th)
Lucas Hansen (2nd-Team) is going to be expected to lead the way heading into his senior season. Four of their top six leading scorers are coming back from last season. Hansen led the team in scoring at 15.0 points per game, second leading scorer (junior - Caleb Springer) is also returning after averaging 11.2 points per game. Ryker Chipman (9.7 points per game) and Preston Sullivan (7.6 points per game) are the other returners over 5.0 points per game.
Ladysmith LumberJacks (2024-25 season: 21-7 overall, 13-5 conference, t-3rd)
After graduating three players who were All-Conference selections last season (Andrew Lehman and Timmy Meltz - 1st; Braeden Little - 2nd), the LumberJacks have some big shoes to fill. They have no returners who averaged more than 5.0 points per game. On top of all that, add in having a new head coach in Ahmed Yassien.
Northwestern Tigers (2024-25 season: 19-8 overall, 14-4 conference, t-1st)
The only returning 1st-Team All-Conference selection from last season is junior Kam Kroll. Tysen Teal (3.5 assists per game) will be relied on more to have a big season now that his brother (Boden Teal - 1st-Team All-Conference) has graduated. Bring back 6'3" Ethan Harms, who was second on the team in rebounding at 6.4 per game. There was enough of a presence from the 2026 and 2027 classes last season on this team, that they appear top of the league.
Saint Croix Falls Saints (2024-25 season: 8-17 overall, 5-13 conference, 8th)
Elliot Wilson almost averaged a double-double last season as a junior with 10.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Carson Marks appeared in 16 games as a junior, started 15 games and averaged 8.1 points per game. Brett Sladky saw time off the bench during his sophomore season, he's the only other returning player who averaged over 5.0 points per game last season (5.4 points per game).
Spooner Rails (2024-25 season: 6-19 overall, 4-14 conference, 9th)
Graduated their do-it-all player in Evan Potaczek (2nd-Team All-Conference) who averaged 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Joey Romportl is the lone returning player who averaged over 5.0 points per game last season.
Unity Eagles (2024-25 season: 14-11 overall, 13-5 conference, t-3rd - Lakeland-West)
Heading into their first season in the Heart O' North after being very competitive in the Lakeland-West. They do return three Lakeland-West All-Conference selections who all happen to be seniors; Isaiah Fugate (2nd), Beckett Schmidt (HM), and Kasyn Fisher (HM). Expect a bit of a learning curve coming into the bigger conference. Played two Heart O' North team last season (Cumberland and Saint Croix Falls), finished 0-2 against them.
Projections:
- Northwestern
- Barron
- Cameron
- Hayward
- Unity
- Ashland
- Spooner
- Ladysmith
- Cumberland
- Saint Croix Falls
Conference Overview:
It's to the point that it's tough on any given year to pick Northwestern or Cameron outside of the top 4 in the Heart O' North. It's traditionally a very senior dominated conference, older teams do well and younger teams tend to struggle. Barron comes in 2nd in the rankings, mostly because they return the most All-Conference selections. Cameron could give them a run for that position (because of what I said above). After those three, the conference starts to get interesting and could probably be a toss up at any of the spots. Hayward returns a decent amount of talent, mixed with up-tempo play should put them towards the top. The conference transition for Unity is going to slow them down a little bit, but I think they will still be middle of the road in the conference. Ashland returns one of the better juniors in the conference, along with a skilled junior and sophomore class. Spooner doesn't return a ton, but I could see them moving up a few positions still. The last three positions seem to be a bit of a toss up, but could also see these teams move up and surprise some people. Ladysmith lost a lot and with a new coach, I think it's going to be a bit of a down season. Cumberland has to find a way to replace a Division 1 recruit in order to be competitive, not an easy task for anyone. Saint Croix Falls just hasn't had much going lately.
Conference MVP: Kam Kroll (Junior) - Northwestern
Other Players to Watch:
Zac Edwards (Senior) - Barron
Gavin Green (Junior) - Ashland
Lucas Hansen (Senior) - Hayward
Tysen Teal (Junior) - Northwestern
Glendon Thompson (Senior) - Barron
Games to Watch:
Northwestern @ Baldwin-Woodville (12/6/25)
Osceola @ Hayward (12/13/25)
Barron @ Eau Claire Regis (1/3/26)
Northwestern vs. Altoona @ UW-Eau Claire (1/31/26)
Ashland @ Rice Lake (2/10/26)
Barron @ Northwestern (2/12/26)
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