Cloquet Lumberjacks (2024-25 season: 18-9 overall, 10-5 conference, 4th)
They did graduate a large senior class, including their top six scorers from last season. Juniors Evan Rothamel (5.2 PPG) and Max Jazdewski (1.4 PPG) are both going to have to take huge steps to keep Cloquet in the upper half of the conference. There always seems to be good athletes coming through Cloquet. They beat some of the teams in the Lake Superior Conference this summer in summer leagues. That doesn't mean much, but it looked like they were going to be good enough to stay in the middle of the conference. New head coach, Joe Seymour.
Duluth Denfeld Hunters (2024-25 season: 20-11 overall, 10-3 conference, 2nd)
The Hunters are coming off a MSHSL State Tournament appearance last season, but they also lost a very important piece in MarNaries Ferguson. Ferguson is currently a freshman on the basketball team at Center Lakes Community College. The good news is they bring back some players who saw a lot of minutes on that team. Lee Brooks (8.7 PPG) was one of the main guards last season and will be asked to do more as a senior. They have size with senior Antonio Brown (6'7") and junior Carter Brown (6'5"). Carter was the second leading scorer on the team last season at 13.4 points per game, Antonio was fifth at 7.9 points per game. An interesting freshman to watch will be Joseph DuPree, who was listed on the varsity roster as an 8th grader.
Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers (2024-25 season: 12-16 overall, 0-8 conference, 9th)
It looks on paper like its going to be a tough season for the Hilltoppers, mostly based on the fact that they lost their best player in Brooks Johnson. Johnson is a freshman on the basketball team at Minnesota-Duluth currently. Ricardo Marcel will be a senior this season, he was their second leading scorer last season at 10.8 points per game. They do return 5 of their top 7 scorers. The other four being Brody Carlson (7.2 PPG), Aaden Westerbur (6.3 PPG), Zach Johnson (2.6 PPG), and Hank Kettlehut (2.6 PPG).
Grand Rapids Thunderhawks (2024-25 season: 14-14 overall, 9-4 conference, 3rd)
Joey Sutherland and Brenden Sylvester should provide a solid foundation for Grand Rapids this season. A bigger senior class typically is a good thing for Lake Superior teams. Gavin Wegwerth should be a sophomore that is worth keeping an eye on for the Thunderhawks. Size might be a bit of an issue this season.
Hermantown Hawks (2024-25 season: 5-23 overall, 1-10 conference, 8th)
The Hawks only graduated two seniors from last season, and bring back a ton of players who were sophomores that saw lots of playing time. Sawyer Senst really made a name for himself after being named 2nd-Team All-Conference as a sophomore. Senst averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, and finished the season with 13 double-doubles. Junior Ben Sundland had a good sophomore season for the Hawks. Sophomore Corbin Petcoff is an interesting prospect with good size (6'5") and the ability to play inside and out.
Hibbing Bluejackets (2024-25 season: 19-10 overall, 7-5 conference, 7-5)
Hibbing is one of the more interesting teams to me in Northern Minnesota, they had a good season last year and are only more experienced heading into this season. Juniors Ray Brau and Jack Bottoms are back as the two leading scorers from last season. Evan Bolden was their third leading scorer, who is back for his senior season. Senior Adam Reckmeyer and junior Grant Toewe bring some good experience as well. Size won't be a concern this year; Ray Brau (6'6"), Adam Reckmeyer (6'5"), Evan Bolden (6'4"), Braiden Elven (6'3"), and Grant Toewe (6'3").
Proctor Rails (2024-25 season: 11-16 overall, 2-6 conference, 7th)
Dallas Loftis and Wyatt Nelson are both back as seniors after having good seasons for the Rails last year. Both were among the leading scorers, with Loftis having multiple 30-point games. John Cordero is another senior returning that brings some good experience. They do lose two players in Tyler Berglund and Kooper King.
Rock Ridge Wolverines (2024-25 season: 8-19 overall, 3-9 conference, 6th)
They lost a lot of seniors from the year's roster, including Joey Aho, Eli Devich, Leo Johnson, and Will Kemp. Beau Akerson, Cooper Aune, Wyatt Canter, Owen Hallin, Riley Lambert, Jaxson Lamppa, and Keagan Wright are seniors this year that should all contribute. Aune, Canter, and Lamppa were among the most productive of the group last year.
Superior Spartans (2024-25 season: 14-11 overall, 9-1 conference, 1st)
The Spartans bring back all but one player from last season.Their best two players in Calvin Anderson and Drew Eisel are back for their senior seasons. Anderson is a Minnesota-Duluth commit, averaged 23 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season. Eisel is one of the better utility players in the Northwoods, he's someone who is able to do a little bit of everything. Reid Charles, Beckam Lull, Jayce Rue and Colson Schumacher are some others who are going to provide good experience.
Projections:
1. Superior
2. Hibbing
3. Grand Rapids
4. Duluth Denfeld
5. Cloquet
6. Hermantown
7. Proctor
8. Rock Ridge
9. Duluth Marshall
Conference Overview:
The race for the conference title will be interesting between Superior and Hibbing. The two teams will only meet once during the regular season, so that will be a big game that could be a deciding factor. Grand Rapids and Duluth Denfeld will be an interesting battle to be in the top four of the conference. Both teams return some really important pieces. Cloquet graduated a lot of seniors, but should be athletic enough to remain in the middle. Hermantown should be ready to make a little jump in the conference. Rock Ridge and Proctor are somewhat toss up positions for me, they could switch, but finishing higher seems unlikely. Duluth Marshall should be expected to struggle unless a bigger name is coming in.
Conference MVP: Calvin Anderson (Senior) - Superior
Other Players to Watch:
Jack Bottoms (Junior) - Hibbing
Ray Brau (Junior) - Hibbing
Lee Brooks (Senior) - Duluth Denfeld
Carter Brown (Junior) - Duluth Denfeld
Drew Eisel (Senior) - Superior
Sawyer Senst (Junior) - Hermantown
Joey Sutherland (Senior) - Grand Rapids
Games to Watch:
Grand Rapids @ Pequot Lakes (12/11/25)
Duluth Denfeld vs. Chisago Lakes @ Minnesota-Duluth (12/30/25)
Hibbing @ Superior (1/8/26)
Bemidji @ Hibbing (1/13/26)
Duluth Denfeld @ Duluth East (1/15/26)
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