2021-2022 Marawood Predictions

Overview:

NORTH:

Athens appears to be the frontrunner with Cooper Diedrich (19.8 PPG) being their best returning player. Prentice and Phillips always seem to be competitive no matter what. They just always have new athletes coming through the programs. Prentice does return Alex Schantner and Ashton Makovsky who were both All-Conference selections a season ago. I've been waiting a couple of years for Chequamegon to make a jump due to some good athletes that have come through. Isaiah Dietz (18.1 PPG) will look to help make the Screaming Eagles competitive. Rib Lake and Abbotsford have lost a lot due to graduation in recent years, and I don't really expect much from either team.

SOUTH:

Marathon should make the jump from the middle of the conference to be a contender for the title. Jaden Koeller (14.0 PPG) is one of the better returning seniors and the Red Raiders always have solid role players. Mason Prey (13.9 PPG) is probably the best junior in the Marawood this year, but do the Cardinals have anyone who can step up and help him this season. Edgar lost a lot due to graduation, I imagine it will be tough for them to remain in the top half of the conference this season. Stratford could be a dark horse, I don't really know much about them this season. Assumption doesn't appear to have much help coming in from last season.

Projections:

NORTH

1. Athens Blue Jays (2020-2021 season: 18-5 overall, 11-3 conference, 1st)

2. Prentice Pirates (2020-2021 season: 12-10 overall, 5-8 conference, 3rd)

3. Phillips Loggers (2020-2021 season: 14-9 overall, 6-8 conference, 2nd)

4. Chequamegon Screaming Eagles (2020-2021 season: 2-8 overall, 0-1 conference, 6th)

5. Rib Lake (2020-2021 season: 6-14 overall, 3-12 conference, 4th)

6. Abbotsford (2020-2021 season: 5-18 overall, 2-12 conference, 5th)

SOUTH

1. Marathon (2020-2021 season: 21-6 overall, 10-5 conference, 3rd)

2. Auburndale (2020-2021 season: 16-6 overall, 11-4 conference, 2nd)

3. Newman Catholic Cardinals (2020-2021 season: 14-8 overall, 9-6 conference, 4th)

4. Edgar Wildcats (2020-2021 season: 23-2 overall, 14-1 conference, 1st)

5. Stratford Tigers (2020-2021 season: 14-9 overall, 8-7 conference, 5th)

6. Assumption (2020-2021 season: 1-19 overall, 1-13 conference, 6th)

Sleeper: Prentice (North), Newman Catholic (South)

Projected POY: Mason Prey (Junior) - Newman Catholic

Seniors to Watch:

Riley Blomberg (Rib Lake)

Cooper Diedrich (Athens)

Cam Dual (Stratford)

Jaden Koeller (Marathon)

Alex Schantner (Prentice)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2021 - Athens @ Newman Catholic

1/6/2022 - Phillips @ Newman Catholic

1/20/2022 - Marathon @ Athens

1/25/2022 - Prentice @ Phillips

2/18/2022 - Marathon @ Newman Catholic

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

1/4/2022 - Bruce @ Prentice

1/7/2022 - Newman Catholic @ Pacelli

1/8/2022 - Rhinelander @ Marathon

1/18/2022 - Marathon @ Mosinee

2/21/2022 - Athens @ Wabeno/Laona

2021 Thanksgiving Tournaments

CRANBERRY CLASSIC

Hosted by Assumption High School

Friday, November 26, 2021

Port Edwards vs. Columbus Catholic @ Assumption (6:00)

Nekoosa @ Assumption (8:00)

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Consolation Game (6:15)

Championship Game (8:00)

MOSINEE TURKEY SHOOTOUT

Hosted by Mosinee High School

Friday, November 26, 2021

Lakeland vs. Wausau East @ Mosinee (5:00)

Wittenberg-Birnamwood @ Mosinee (7:00)

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Wittenberg-Birnamwood vs. Lakeland (3:00)

Wausau East @ Mosinee (5:00)

NLC/M&O CHALLENGE

Hosted by Crivitz High School

Friday, November 26, 2021

Oneida Nation vs Wabeno/Laona @ Crivitz (5:00)

Crandon @ Crivitz (6:45)

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Coleman vs. Crandon (5:00)

Wabeno/Laona @ Crivitz (6:45)

WAUSAU WEST TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Wausau West High School

Friday, November 26, 2021

Northland Pines vs. Newman Catholic @ Wausau West (6:00)

Stanley-Boyd @ Wausau West (7:45)

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Consolation Game (5:00)

Championship Game (7:00)

2021-2022 Lake Superior Predictions

Overview:

It appears that Cloquet returns the most talent from last season, including Alec Turnbull and Connor Barney. Duluth Marshall will be one of the top small schools in the Iron Range, but Jasper Timm (23.3 PPG) should be enough for them to remain extremely competitive in the Lake Superior Conference. Hermantown and Superior should both be competitive and could finish anywhere in the top half of the league. Neither Hermantown or Superior return as much of their top talent as Cloquet and Duluth Marshall. Grand Rapids is in the middle of the league and I don't think they will be competitive for the title, but should beat the bottom tier teams. Expect some struggles out of Duluth Denfeld and Proctor again this season.

Projections:

1. Cloquet Lumberjacks (2020-2021 season: 13-7 overall, 9-0 conference, 1st)

2. Duluth Marshall Toppers (2020-2021 season: 16-10 overall, 8-4 conference, 3rd)

3. Hermantown Hawks (2020-2021 season: 24-3 overall, 12-0 conference, 1st)

4. Superior Spartans (2020-2021 season: 8-9 overall, 6-2 conference, 3rd)

5. Grand Rapids Thunderhawks (2020-2021 season: 7-16 overall, 3-9 conference, 5th)

6. Duluth Denfeld (2020-2021 season: 5-14 overall, 2-10 conference, 6th)

7. Proctor Rails (2020-2021 season: 2-11 overall, 2-10 conference, 7th)

***Ashland has left the Lake Superior Conference and joined the Heart O' North Conference as of the 2021-2022 season.***

Sleeper: Superior

Projected POY: Jasper Timm (Senior) - Duluth Marshall

Seniors to Watch:

Connor Barney (Cloquet)

Evan Bennet (Superior)

Austin Hanson (Grand Rapids)

Alex Olson (Duluth Marshall)

Alec Turnbull (Cloquet)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2021 - Duluth Marshall @ Cloquet

1/11/2022 - Superior @ Duluth Marshall

1/31/2022 - Cloquet @ Duluth Marshall

2/10/2022 - Duluth Marshall @ Hermantown

2/15/2022 - Grand Rapids @ Hermantown

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/14/2021 - Northwestern @ Superior

1/8/2022 - Hermantown vs. Pine City @ Duluth East

1/15/2022 - Duluth Marshall @ Ashland

1/25/2022 - Cloquet @ Duluth East

1/29/2022 - Irondale @ Duluth Denfeld

2021-2022 Great Northern (WI) Predictions

Overview:

I think this is the year that Rhinelander gets over the hump and wins the Great Northern. Jacksen Smith (11.4 PPG) is poised to have a breakout senior season and the Hodags will need it if they want to claim the title. Medford graduated a lot of seniors which is tough to recover from, but they do return Logan Baumgartner (15.5 PPG) who is the only returning 1st-team All-Conference selection. Northland Pines returns multiple All-Conference selections and could make a run, but they might be a year away still. Mosinee and Lakeland are both teams that should be competitive, but I think it will be an uphill battle for each of them to win the title. Antigo and Tomahawk are in the bottom tier and I don't believe they will be very competitive.

Projections:

1. Rhinelander Hodags (2020-2021 season: 14-6 overall, 10-2 conference, 2nd)

2. Medford Raiders (2020-2021 season: 24-3 overall, 12-0 conference, 1st)

3. Northland Pines Eagles (2020-2021 season: 9-13 overall, 5-7 conference, 4th)

4. Mosinee Indians (2020-2021 season: 16-10 overall, 8-4 conference, 3rd)

5. Lakeland Thunderbirds (2020-2021 season: 7-16 overall, 3-9 conference, 5th)

6. Antigo Red Birds (2020-2021 season: 2-11 overall, 2-10 conference, 6th)

7. Tomahawk Hatchets (2020-2021 season: 5-14 overall, 2-10 conference, 7th)

Sleeper: Northland Pines

Projected POY: Jacksen Smith (Senior) - Rhinelander

*Juniors to Watch:

Logan Baumgartner (Medford)

Nolan Lurvey (Northland Pines)

Riley Muench (Northland Pines)

Will Fortier (Lakeland)

Davin Stoffel (Mosinee)

Conference Games to Watch:

1/28/2022 - Rhinelander @ Northland Pines

2/8/2022 - Rhinelander @ Medford

2/11/2022 - Medford @ Northland Pines

2/18/2022 - Mosinee @ Medford

2/24/2022 - Lakeland @ Mosinee

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/3/2021 - Rhinelander @ DC Everest

12/28/2021 - Peshtigo @ Northland Pines

1/18/2022 - Marathon @ Mosinee

1/21/2022 - Stevens Point @ Rhinelander

1/25/2022 - New Richmond @ Medford

*Due to the Great Northern Conference not being very deep with its senior class this has been changed to focus on the junior class.

2021-2022 Lakeland Predictions

Overview:

CENTRAL

This will be a tough battle between Clear Lake and Turtle Lake, but in the end I am going to go with Turtle Lake. Turtle Lake returns five All-Conference selections from last season (Brendan Strenke - Co-POY, Blake Thill - 1st, Joel Humphrey - 2nd, Koby Kahl - HM, and Noah Torgerson - HM). Clear Lake returns to of the top players in the conference (Tyson Blanchard - Co-POY and Riley Peterson -1st), but they lost three other All-Conference selections. Northwood appears to be the only other team who will be competitive with the only other 1st-Team All-Conference selection returning for this season in Syver Gulbrandsen. They do lost two other All-Conference selections, but the rest of the conference should be weak enough for them to remain in the top three. Clayton, Prairie Farm, and Shell Lake are in the bottom tier of the Central. I think it's pretty much a toss up for what order they will finish in, but I believe Prairie Farm has learned from the last couple of seasons with younger talent that they move up a spot from last season.

EAST

Bruce appears to be the very strong favorite in the East and they return enough talent that they should be the favorites for the next couple of years. Three All-Conference players return in Ryan Popowich (2nd), Matt Popowich (HM), and Jake Thome (HM). Harley Opachan will look to help Flambeau stay competitive at the top of the conference. Lake Holcombe and New Auburn should both be competitive, but I'm not sure it will be enough to win a title. Birchwood, Cornell, and Winter appear to be the bottom tier of this conference. Birchwood graduated some good talent the last two seasons, so I believe they will fall a spot and Cornell will jump above them.

WEST

This is the conference I feel the least confident in predicting. Grantsburg returns the most All-Conference selections, so they are going to be my favorite heading into the season. Luck tends to always have some good athletes hanging around, you can almost guarantee that they will be competitive every season. Webster has had their share of good athletes lately, but I believe it will be more of a struggle this season. Siren and Unity could be competitive, but I don't think they have enough talent to be championship contenders. I don't expect the woes at Frederic to end this season, so it may be another tough season for them.

Predictions

CENTRAL

1. Turtle Lake Lakers (2020-2021 season: 16-8 overall, 7-3 conference, 2nd)

2. Clear Lake Lakers (2020-2021 season: 22-1 overall, 9-0 conference, 1st)

3. Northwood Evergreens (2020-2021 season: 14-5 overall, 6-2 conference, 3rd)

4. Prairie Farm Panthers (2020-2021 season: 5-15 overall, 2-8 conference, 5th)

5. Shell Lake Lakers (2020-2021 season: 6-14 overall, 3-7 conference, 4th)

6. Clayton Golden Bears (2020-2021 season: 1-13 overall, 1-8 conference, 6th)

EAST

1. Bruce Red Raiders (2020-2021 season: 14-4 overall, 10-2 conference, 1st)

2. Flambeau Falcons (2020-2021 season: 9-10 overall, 8-4 conference, 3rd)

3. New Auburn Trojans (2020-2021 season: 13-6 overall, 9-3 conference, 2nd)

4. Lake Holcombe (2020-2021 season: 11-11 overall, 8-4 conference, 4th)

5. Cornell Trojans (2020-2021 season: 2-17 overall, 2-10 conference, 6th)

6. Birchwood (2020-2021 season: 6-13 overall, 4-8 conference, 5th)

7. Winter (2020-2021 season: 1-15 overall, 1-11 conference, 7th)

WEST

1. Grantsburg Pirates (2020-2021 season: 13-2 overall, 9-0 conference, 1st)

2. Luck Cardinals (2020-2021 season: 10-10 overall, 5-4 conference, 3rd)

3. Webster Tigers (2020-2021 season: 15-6 overall, 7-3 conference, 2nd)

4. Siren Dragons (2020-2021 season: 11-11 overall, 3-7 conference, 5th)

5. Unity Eagles (2020-2021 season: 12-10 overall, 5-5 conference, 4th)

6. Frederic Vikings (2020-2021 season: 4-18 overall, 0-10 conference, 6th)

Sleeper(s): Northwood (Central), Flambeau (East), Webster (West)

Projected POY:  Riley Peterson (Clear Lake)

Seniors to Watch:

Tyson Blanchard (Clear Lake)

Carson Knutson (Grantsburg)

Zach Miller (Grantsburg)

Harley Opachan (Flambeau)

Brendan Strenke (Turtle Lake)

Conference Games to Watch:

1/25/2022 - Northwood @ Grantsburg

2/1/2022 - Turtle Lake @ Clear Lake

2/4/2022 - Bruce @ New Auburn

2/21/2022 - Turtle Lake @ Bruce

2/24/2022 - Clear Lake @ Bruce

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

11/30/2021 - Clear Lake @ McDonell Central

12/23/2021 - Cumberland @ Grantsburg

1/4/2022 - Turtle Lake @ Colfax

1/24/2022 - South Shore @ Northwood

2/21/2022 - St. Croix Falls @ Grantsburg

2021-2022 Dairyland Predictions

Overviews:

LARGE

Melrose-Mindoro appears to be the odds on favorite to win the Dairyland, including the crossover games. The McRoberts brothers are tough matchups with their length and skill, Tristen (13.7 PPG) was a 1st-team All-Conference selection last season. Whitehall should be contenders with their junior duo of Devon McCune (11.6 PPG) and Luke Beighley (9.6 PPG). Augusta, Cochrane-Fountain City, and Eleva-Strum will be in their own tier of the Large, I'm not sure either of them have the talent to compete for the title. Expect Alma Center Lincoln to struggle again this season after having some recent success a few years back.

SMALL

Blair-Taylor is the favorite in the Dairyland-Small mostly due to their basketball history. They don't return much, but expect them to almost always be a top contender. Eau Claire Immanuel could be a contender if some of their newcomers can step up and help Brinten Rutz (12.6 PPG). Expect Alma/Pepin to jump above Gilmanton in the standings, but I don't think they will compete for a title. Independence returns the least all-conference selections of anyone in the Small.

Projections:

LARGE
1. Melrose-Mindoro Mustangs (2019-2020 season: 13-7 overall, 8-2 conference, 2nd)

2. Whitehall Norsemen (2019-2020 season: 13-9 overall, 5-5 conference, 3rd)

3. Coachrane-Fountain City Pirates (2019-2020 season: 5-16 overall, 2-8 conference, 5th)

4. Augusta Beavers (2019-2020 season: 4-18 overall, 0-10 conference, 6th)

5. Eleva-Strum Cardinals (2019-2020 season: 8-8 overall, 5-5 conference, 4th)

6. Alma Center Lincoln Hornets (2019-2020 season: 1-16 overall, 0-7 conference, 5th)

SMALL
1. Blair-Taylor Wildcats (2019-2020 season: 23-2 overall, 10-0 conference, 1st)

2. Eau Claire Immanuel Lancers (2019-2020 season: 17-3 overall, 8-0 conference, 1st)
3. Gilmanton Panthers (2019-2020 season: 11-10 overall, 5-2 conference, 2nd)
4. Alma/Pepin Rivermen (2019-2020 season: 6-13 overall, 4-3 conference, 3rd)
5. Indepedence Indees (2019-2020 season: 3-15 overall, 1-6 conference, 4th)

Dairyland Crossover Champion: Melrose-Mindoro

Sleeper: Eau Claire Immanuel

Projected POY: Tristen McRoberts (Senior) - Melrose-Mindoro

Seniors to Watch:

Colton Brecka (Alma/Pepin)

Cain Fremstad (Blair-Taylor)

Ethan Hunger (Cochrane-Fountain City)

Dalton Robinson (Augusta)

Brinten Rutz (Eau Claire Immanuel)

Conference Games to Watch:

1/4/2022 - Blair-Taylor @ Melrose-Mindoro

1/13/2022 - Blair-Taylor @ Eau Claire Immanuel

1/21/2022 - Eau Claire Immanuel @ Whitehall

2/1/2022 - Eau Claire Immanuel @ Melrose-Mindoro

2/4/2022 - Melrose-Mindoro @ Whitehall

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

11/23/2021 - Elmwood/Plum City @ Eleva Strum

11/23/2021 - Osseo-Fairchild @ Cochrane-Fountain City

11/30/2021 - Aquinas @ Melrose-Mindoro

2/1/2022 - Flambeau @ Augusta

2/7/2022 - Eau Claire Immanuel @ Spring Valley

2021-2022 Northern Lakes Predictions

Overview:

Wabeno/Laona returns the most talent from last season and I think are the team to beat in 2021-2022. They are coming off a successful football season, so it will be interesting to see if they can get into basketball shape quickly. Connor Taylor (24.7 PPG) and Reed Christianson (15.2 PPG) are two of the top players in the Northern Lakes and are looking to end their careers at W/L with a conference championship. Florence has some solid players returning including three all-conference selections - Patrick Milan (17.5 PPG), Evan Johnson (14.9 PPG), and Dominic DeMur (11.7 PPG), and they should be able to compete with Wabeno/Laona. Goodman/Pembine and Three Lakes each return some all-conference selections from last season and could be competitive in the championship race. Crandon and Elcho are in similar boats where they have some pieces, but I don't expect them to be super competitive with the top of the conference. Phelps has some work to do heading into the season, expect them to be bottom tier team since they didn't win a game last season.

Projections:

1. Wabeno/Laona Rebels (2020-2021 season: 16-6 overall, 13-1 conference, 1st)

2. Florence Bobcats (2020-2021 season: 15-6 overall, 11-3 conference, 2nd)

3. Three Lakes Blue Jays (2020-2021 season: 12-11 overall, 8-5 conference, 4th)

4. Goodman/Pembine (2020-2021 season: 14-6 overall, 9-4 conference, 3rd)

5. Crandon Cardinals (2020-2021 season: 5-21 overall, 4-9 conference, 6th)

6. Elcho (2020-2021 season: 9-11 overall, 5-8 conference, 5th)

7. Phelps (2020-2021 season: 0-15 overall, 0-13 conference, 8th)

***White Lake has left the Northern Lakes Conference and has joined the Central Wisconsin-North Conference as of 2021-2022***

Sleeper: Three Lakes

Projected POY: Connor Taylor (Senior) - Wabeno/Laona

Seniors to Watch:
Jacob Kessel (Goodman/Pembine)

Boone Larison (Goodman/Pembine)

Patrick Milan (Florence)

Chase Novak (Elcho)

Reed Christianson (Wabeno/Laona)

Conference Games to Watch:
12/2/2021 - Three Lakes @ Wabeno/Laona

1/28/2022 - Wabeno/Laona @ Florence

2/4/2022 - Goodman-Pembine @ Wabeno/Laona

2/8/2022 - Elcho @ Crandon

2/24/2022 - Florence @ Goodman-Pembine

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

11/23/2021 - Three Lakes @ Northland Pines

11/26/2021 - Wabeno/Laona @ Crivitz

11/29/2021 - Florence @ Wausaukee

1/3/2022 - Bonduel @ Goodman-Pembine

2/24/2022 - Wabeno/Laona @ Iola-Scandinavia