EAST
Team Previews:Birchwood Bobcats (2024-25 season: 14-10 overall, 12-4 conference, t-2nd)
Lucas Gindt (1st-Team) graduated after averaging a double-double (21.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game). 2nd-Team All-Conference selection, Chase Ewert is back for his senior season after averaging 18.4 points per game. Five of their eight top scorers are back, and luckily three of them are juniors and one is a sophomore.
Bruce Red Raiders (2024-25 season: 10-14 overall, 9-7 conference, 4th)
Six players graduated from last year. Jace Sahlin is one of the better players returning for Bruce. They didn't have stats put up on their wissports account, so other information is limited.
Cornell Chiefs (2024-25 season: 1-23 overall, 1-15 conference, 9th)
In a year where Cornell struggled, they still managed to land two Honorable Mention All-Conference selections, Carson Stipek (SR) and Bryce DeJong (JR). Both players were both among their leading scorers last season.
Flambeau Falcons (2024-25 season: 18-7 overall, 12-4 conference, t-2nd)
Graduated one player from last year. Top two leading scorers from last season are back, Dominic Kopacz (18.6 PPG) and Chanse Ludescher (10.6 PPG). Returning scoring is spread out through all their classes. Isaac Brown (JR) averaged 8.8 PPG, Oliver Taylor (SR) averaged 6.0 PPG, and Sully Reich (SO) averaged 3.1 PPG.
Lake Holcombe Chieftains (2024-25 season: 10-15 overall, 6-10 conference, 7th)
One 1st-Team All-Conference selections graduated, Brian Strzok (17.8 PPG). The good news is they return their other 1st-Team selection in junior Emmit Johnson (20.6 PPG). Connor Kane (JR) is the next returning scorer at 8.8 points per game. Senior Brody Miller (5.0 PPG) and sophomore Kyle Heidtke (5.0 PPG) are also back. Johnson shot 32.4% from three (36-111) and Heidtks shot 34.3% from three (24-70).
New Auburn Trojans (2024-25 season: 19-7 overall, 14-2 conference, 1st)
Colten Lotts (1st-Team) is back, which is huge for the reigning Conference Champs, although they were upset by Frederic last season in the WIAA playoffs. They do return one other All-Conference selection in Sawyer Jones (2nd-Team). Graduating three others will create some space for newcomers to make a name for themselves.
Northwood Evergreens (2024-25 season: 7-18 overall, 4-14 conference, 8th)
Losing last season's Conference POY (Jared Schultz) should make things more difficult for the Evergreens. There is a chance it could open things up more, since teams focused on stopping Schultz so much last season. Three starters do return, Gunnar Golembiewski (4.3 PPG), Jaxson Link (3.3 PPG), and Ian Woodhull (5.5 PPG).
Winter Warriors (2024-25 season: 2-23 overall, 2-14 conference, 8th)
Graduated a senior class that had a lot of success in recent seasons. It will be tough to replace Adam Bednorski, Dakota Holm, and Carter Petit. There isn't much for points returning off last season's varsity team.
Projections:
1. Flambeau
2. New Auburn
3. Birchwood
4. Northwood
5. Bruce
6. Cornell
7. Lake Holcombe
8. Winter
Conference Overview:
Flambeau and New Auburn appear to be the two teams with their best players from last season returning. It could be a tight race at the top of the conference. Birchwood graduated some talented players, but still have younger pieces back. Northwood loses the Conference POY and switches to the East, I think enough pieces to be competitive. Bruce will be a bit of a wild card. Cornell and Lake Holcombe should be improved and could both make their way to the middle of the conference. Winter graduated a good senior class, it appears like it's going to be a bit of a rebuilding season.
Conference MVP: Colten Lotts (Senior) - New Auburn
Other Players to Watch:
Chase Ewert (Senior) - Birchwood
Sawyer Jones (Senior) - New Auburn
Dominic Kopacz (Senior) - Flambeau
Chanse Ludescher (Senior) - Flambeau
Ryder Rodewald (Senior) - Bruce
WEST
Team Previews:
Clayton Bears (2024-25 season: 12-12 overall, 9-7 conference, 5th)
Prairie Farm (2024-25 season: 7-15 overall, 7-9 conference, 6th)
First year that Clayton and Prairie Farm are a co-op program. Returning last season's Conference POY (Dayne Mumm) should help them remain in the top half of the conference. Prairie Farm graduated two All-Conference selections in Jayce Nelson (2nd-Team) and Josh Quarders (HM). Cooper Berends is the returning scorer for Prairie Farm at 7.2 points per game. Karsten Johnson is one of the top returning players returning from Clayton, besides Mumm.
Frederic Vikings (2024-25 season: 8-19 overall, 3-15 conference, 9th)
Only lost two seniors from last season. Senior Carson Anderson is back after being named to 2nd-Team All-Conference. He led the Vikings in scoring (10.2 PPG) and rebounds (7.4 RPG). Brett Bartlett was second in points (9.4 PPG) and rebounds (5.6 RPG), also back for his senior year. Leif Lahti (8.7 PPG) and Royce Anderson (6.1 PPG) are their next returning top scorers. Royce Anderson also led the team in assists with 2.7 assists per game.
Grantsburg Pirates (2024-25 season: 17-8 overall, 15-3 conference, 2nd)
Caleb Rombach should come into his junior season as one of the better players in the conference. Rombach was second on the team in scoring at 16.0 points and first in assists at 4.0 assists per game. Daxter Schultz was a Honorable Mention selection last season, who averaged 9.5 points per game. Some younger players will bring some scoring back as well, Lyle Lozier Jr. (6.7 PPG), Ryker Stelsel (4.5 PPG), and Dylan Seeger (4.0 PPG).
Luck Cardinals (2024-25 season: 11-15 overall, 6-12 conference, 7th)
Graduated Ty Rhoem and Zak Walters, who were their leading scorers a year ago. Both are playing at Northwestern-St. Paul in college now. Blake Melin is back for his junior year after being their third leading scorer at 8.0 points and second in rebounds at 5.8 rebounds per game. Joe Tolan is the next highest points per game at 5.2 PPG.
Shell Lake Lakers (2024-25 season: 13-11 overall, 9-9 conference, 6th)
Alex Marcoux was Honorable Mention All-Conference last season. He's the only returning All-Conference selection for the Lakers after two others graduated (Conner Schrankel - 1st; Isaac Crosby - 2nd). Adam Fritz enters his senior season after being the 4th leading scorer last season, averaging 7.8 points per game. Two other juniors return, Nick McNulty (4.3 PPG) and Brennan Shafer (4.2 PPG).
Siren Dragons (2024-25 season: 4-21 overall, 0-18 conference, 10th)
Lose their top four scorers from last season, including 2nd-Team All-Conference pick Gannen Reynolds (15.4 PPG). Two sophomores who saw action as freshman are their returning scorers, Carmine Songetay (5.1 PPG) and Parker Fingerson (5.0 PPG). It might be a little bit of rebuild for the Dragons until getting more experience.
Turtle Lake Lakers (2024-25 season: 21-6 overall, 13-5 conference, 3rd)
Coming off a WIAA State Tournament appearance, the Lakers should remain one of the better teams in their sectional. Brandon Wagner (D2 football commit) should come into the season as the front runner for Conference POY. The 6'6" forward averaged 21.2 points and 14.4 rebounds per game last season. Only graduated two seniors. Brody Tarman was second on the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game and was 2nd-Team All-Conference last season. Third leading scorer is back as well, Cam Davis at 10.3 points per game. They have good size returning in their senior class.
Webster Tigers (2024-25 season: 15-12 overall, 10-8 conference, 5th)
Quinn Widiker returns as one of the better forwards in Northern Wisconsin. The 6'6" forward averaged an impressive double-double as a junior, 17.4 points and 16.1 rebounds per game. Hunter Sears comes into his junior year after averaging 9.0 points per game. Ronald Hatch is also back as a junior year, he averaged 5.7 points per game. Graduated their Honorable Mention selection in Cody McDowel, their second leading scorer.
Projections:
1. Turtle Lake
2. Grantsburg
3. Webster
4. Shell Lake
5. Frederic
6. Clayton/Prairie Farm
7. Luck
8. Siren
Conference Overview:
The conference gets a bit of a shake up with Clear Lake leaving for the Dunn-St. Croix Conference and Unity moving to the Heart O' North Conference. Turtle Lake coming off their first State Tournament appearance should have all the momentum heading into this season. If Grantsburg's junior class can keep improving, they should be top of the conference for the next two seasons. Webster has some talent and could make a run, but are also a little limited. Clayton/Prairie Farm, Frederic, Luck, and Shell Lake all have some pieces back, but should all be the middle of the road. Siren is just so young in an experienced league, it's going to be tough being competitive this season.
Conference MVP: Brandon Wagner (Senior) - Turtle Lake
Other Players to Watch:
Carson Anderson (Senior) -Frederic
Alex Marcoux (Junior) - Shell Lake
Dayne Mumm (Clayton/Prairie Farm)
Caleb Rombach (Junior) - Grantsburg
Daxter Schultz (Junior) - Grantsburg
Brody Tarman (Junior) - Turtle Lake
Quinn Widiker (Senior) - Webster
Games to Watch:
Flambeau @ New Auburn (12/5/25)
Webster vs. Glenwood City @ Target Center (1/10/26)
Rib Lake @ Flambeau (1/23/26)
Turtle Lake @ Mellen (1/24/26)
Amery @ Grantsburg (2/23/26)
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