2022-2023 Coaching Changes

School	Former Coach	New Coach
Antigo	Cory Reetz	Shaun Smith
Birchwood	Blane Senn	Alex Gilles
Butternut	Adam LaRose	Will Smudde
Eau Claire North	Todd Marks	Mike Kessler
Duluth Marshall	Tom Mitchell	Cory Henkel
Escanaba	Tracy Hudson	Scott Hanson
Hibbing	Joel McDonald	Tom Aune
Marquette	Brad Nelson	Rich Ledy
Moose Lake-Willow River	Wes Cummings	Paul Dewey
Negaunee	Dan Waterman	Brad Nelson
Rock Ridge	New School	Spencer Aune
South Ridge	Phil Peliska	Macoy Rudolph
Three Lakes	Brian Dorio	Brad Volkmann
Turtle Lake	Jon Bussewitz	Tadd Peterson
Wabeno-Laona	Bill Taylor	Kendric Allen
Wausau Newman	Cory Marquardt	Jeff Waldvogel
Webster	Wade Wamboldt	Greg Widiker
Winter	Jason Ufferman	Josh Hautamaki

Way Too Early 2022-2023 Team Rankings 1.0 (Upper Peninsula)

Teams are listed in alphabetical order with their 2021-2022 records, key players returning, and key players lost.

Team	21-22 Record	Key Returners	Players Lost
Cedarville-DeTour	11-9	Cason Smith, Aidan Ondrus, Hossack Sweeney	Jacob Pfiffner
Gladstone	4-16	Kaden Gibbs, Elliot Vitito	Caden Downey
Iron Mountain	16-6	Oskar Kangas, Joey Colavechhi, Ian Martilla	N/A
Kingsford	15-7	Nick Nora	Brody Kopp, Michael Meneguzzo
Lake Linden-Hubbell	13-9	Danny Marcotte, Gabe Popko,	Marcus Sutherland
Munising	19-3	Kane Nebel	Michael Klemett
Negaunee	14-7	Brody Bell, Mason Sager, Ty Jacobson	Gerald Johnson
Powers North Central	19-5	Luke Gorzinski, Jesse Sampson, Connor Florenski	Brady Anderson, Trenton Naser
St. Ignace	15-6	Jonny Ingalls, Kevin Frazier	Kole Klemme
Stephenson	15-7	Spencer Coldron, Luis Alloza, Zach Schwartz	N/A

Bash at the Bay Standouts (Saturday)

My top five standouts from the Bash at the Bay event from Saturday. It was open to high school programs and AAU programs. I only watched 16U and 17U games.

Conner Barney - Wing/Forward - 6'3"

Cloquet High School - 2022

My Thoughts: Appeared to only be playing because the Starks Elite team was short on numbers for the weekend. Looked about as athletics and strong as he has looked in the past. Jump shot was more smooth than I remember it being. Can play any position on the court and you will take notice of him. I'd imagine he'll be hearing from many schools while at Central Lakes College next season.

Braden Luksik - Forward - 6'4"

Bemidji High School - 2024

My Thoughts: Was the best 2024 prospect in the tournament from what I saw. He was comfortable handling the ball in rebound and bring it situations. In the half court settings he was primarily 15 feet and in. Very patient and made a couple of solid post moves while also attacking off the dribble. Didn't force much offensively and was a good passer when he didn't have scoring opportunities. If grows a few inches he could be a player colleges should check in on the next few years.

Alex Rasmussen - Wing - 6'3"

Drummond High School - 2023

My Thoughts: I'm not sure that Alex is a college basketball player, although he probably could be in the right setting. But he did everything that was asked for him during the games I watched and slowly became a player I kept coming back to. He was very solid and smart with the ball. Rarely did you see him make the wrong play. Expect him to be a key reason why Drummond is competing for an Indianhead Conference title next season.

AJ Roen - Wing - 6'4"

Rock Ridge High School (formerly Eveleth-Gilbert)

My Thoughts: He's a very versatile player and still seems to be growing into his long body. Lots to like about his game as he did a little bit of everything. Scored inside and outside while grabbing rebounds and pushing the ball in transition. My only concern is I don't know that he does any one skill great. I would confidently say he would be able to play at the D3 level.

Slayton Stroschein - Forward - 6'8"

South Ridge High School

My Thoughts: Immediately stood out since he was the largest player in the tournament. Most of his offensive production was around the basket as a play finisher, meaning he was getting dump down passes or offensive rebounds. But then he had stretches where he drove from the perimeter and scored. I didn't see him make any three pointers, but has good shooting form which makes me believe he could develop that part of his game. Could be a good D3 player, but realize that he is a little raw and will need a coach to be patient and work with him.

Way Too Early 2022-2023 Team Rankings 1.0 (Minnesota)

Teams are listed in alphabetical order with their 2021-2022 records, key players returning, and key players lost.

Team	21-22 Record	Key Returners	Players Lost
Bemidji	15-8	Isaac Severts, Ethan Biehn	Khai Branham, Sam Wilson, Gavin Luksik
Cass Lake-Bena	26-4	Dom Fairbanks, Kaiden Lee	LeRoy Fairbanks IV
Cherry	27-6	Isaac Asuma, Noah Asuma, Isaiah Asuma	Sam Serna, Nick Serna
Duluth East	15-13	Isaac Nyakundi, Patrick Smith, Jobe Jenneman	Will Van Scoy
Esko	25-4	Cuinn Berger, Dalton Spindler, Makoi Perich	Nick Swanson, Chad Hart, Mason Perich
Hermantown	21-10	Blake Schmitz, Keaton Christianson, Abe Soumis	Michael Lau
Moose Lake-Willow River	19-9	Alex Watrin, Luke Dewey	Logan Overdahl, Phillip Sheetz, Sam Dewey
Mountain Iron-Buhl	21-8	Asher Zubich, Nikolas Jesch, Mason Clines	Jeffrey Kayfes, Braxtin Negen
Nevis	27-5	JP Benson, Joe Houchin, Austin Ahrendt	Eddie Krammer, Ty Warrington, Cain Mitchell
Pequot Lakes	20-8	Eli Laposky, Grant Loge, Brayden Spiczka	Sam Rysavy, Nic Kotaska

Top Places to Eat While On The Road

Here are my ten favorite spots to eat while on the road recruiting. I tried to refrain from using any big name food chains, so the majority of these are locally owned.

Crystal Cafe (Crystal, MN)

Family style diner & cafe

Recommended Order: Carnivore Omelet 

Golden Inn (Superior, WI)

Family-owned Chinese Restaurant

Recommended Order: General Tso Chicken and Chicken Fried Rice

Gronk's Bar & Grill (Superior, WI)

Family friendly bar & kitchen

Recommended Order: Buffalo White Cheddar Cheese Curds & The "Bacon Cheesy Cheese Burger"

Iron Nugget (Hurley, WI)

Family friendly bar & kitchen

Recommended Order: Cheese Curds and Chicken Pesto pizza

Kopp's Frozen Custard (Glendale, WI)

Frozen Custard & Jumbo Burgers

Recommended Order: Grilled Chicken Sandwich & Chocolate Shake

Luke's of Mundelein (Mundelein, IL)

Fast Food

Recommended Order: 2/3 pound Super "Mundeloin" Burger w/Cheese

Mancino's Grinders and Pizza (Eau Claire, WI)

Sandwich Parlor

Recommended Order: Spicy Gobbler Grinder Sandwich

Main Street Pizza (Iron Mountain, MI)

Pizza Parlor

Recommended Order: Italian Oven Baked Sub

Polito's Pizza (La Crosse, WI) - 

Pizza by the Slice

Recommended Order: Mac & Cheese pizza

Suffolk Street Eatery (Ironwood, MI)

Sandwich Shop

Recommended Order: Clam Chowder Soup & Italian Meat Beast

Way Too Early 2022-2023 Team Rankings 1.0 (Wisconsin)

Teams are listed in alphabetical order with their 2021-2022 records, key players returning, and key players lost.

* Indicates 2021-2022 Conference Player of the Year.

Team	21-22 Record	Key Returners	Players Lost
Bruce	19-7	Ryan Popowich, Matt Popowich, Jake Thomas	Chris Brockman, Leo Zimmer
Cameron	19-8	Zory Parker, Tyson Lucas, Grant Paetzold	Wyatt Warner
Florence	19-6	Evan Johnson, William Kelley	Patrick Milan
Hurley	24-5	Eli Talsma*, Dom Croci	Tony Cummings, Braxton Sbraggia, Matt DiGiorgio
Ladysmith	17-7	Brady Ingersoll*, Eli Rogers, Mitchell Lehman	Jack West, Blake Prince
Medford	21-7	Logan Baumgartner*, Tanner Hraby	Joe Sullivan
Newman Catholic	20-8	Mason Prey*, Isaac Siedel, Conner Krach	Jacob Pfiffner
Northland Pines	18-7	Nolan Lurvey*, Griffin Stiemke, Ryan Muench, Gabe Smith	Michael Klemett
Rice Lake	14-11	Tyler Orr, Zach Orr	Kole Klemme
Unity	20-8	Jaxon Tilton, Jacob Erickson, Wyatt Kocurek	Mason Brown

Top 10 College Prospects (2022)

My list of the Top 10 players currently in the Northwoods who I think will make the biggest impact once they get to college. This is based on statistics, in person evaluation, and my personal preference for style of play. Only high school players from the 2021-2022 season are listed, graduating classes of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. 

1. Isaac Asuma (Cherry) - It seemed like a lot of people had their doubts about Asuma until he led Cherry to the Minnesota State Tournament as a sophomore. Already ranked as a top 10 player in the 2024 class in Minnesota, his stock could raise even more to a possible top 5 player. He's able to do a little bit of everything on the court. Already owns a couple of scholarship offers.

2. Noah Feddersen (Menomonie) - The 6'10" North Dakota State commit ended up being named the co-Big River Conference Player of the Year. It would be tough to find a better big man that can control a game than Noah. Able to go inside and play outside, Feddersen is a tough matchup for most forwards in the area. 

3. LJ Wells (Eau Claire Memorial) - Wells grew 4 inches from his junior to senior year of high school and it made a huge difference for him and his recruitment. Able to play inside and outside with his ball handling skills. The 6'8" lefty now holds multiple scholarship offers including from Minot State, Northern Kentucky, and Toledo.

4. Colin Hudson (Escanaba) - One of the most versatile wing/forwards (6'7") to come out of the Upper Peninsula in recent years. Intriguing prospect due to his ability to play on the wing but also go score on the block. His father is the coach at Escanaba and Colin definitely understands the game and what he needs to do. Was offered by Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan the summer heading into his senior year, but I have not heard of a commitment yet.

5. Austin Josephson (South Ridge) - Still developing big man. Has grown from 6'6" as a high school freshman to 6'10" at the end of his junior year. Seems to be more comfortable when he is 15 feet and in, but is able to handle the ball enough to step outside and hold his own. Seems like a no brainer that scholarship schools will be heading up north to watch him play during his senior season.

6. Isaac Nyakundi (Duluth East) - Very similar to Adamson where he is still developing for a 6'8" big man. What makes Nyakundi more intriguing is that he's only been playing basketball for about three years now. He's made a lot of growth in that time though, to the point that he should be able to receive a couple of scholarship offers heading into his senior year.

7. Ayden McDonald (Hibbing) - Everyone in Minnesota knows the McDonald name and the history that goes with it. Ayden is another addition to that legacy. Plays for his father and has a deep understanding of the game, which is exactly what you want from your point guard. Very fundamentally sound and is listed at 6'4" in most rosters. Augustana (SD) got a player that will fit their system perfectly. 

8. CJ Campbell (New Richmond) - Committed to Northern Michigan, Campbell was one of the more versatile players at this size (6'7") in the Big Rivers Conference. Was one of the top scoring and rebounding players in the conference. Was the go to guy for New Richmond and made a couple of game winning shots as a senior.

9. Tyler Orr (Rice Lake) - The sharp shooting combo guard has been nothing short of great for Rice Lake during his high school career. He's a little undersized (5'11"), but he shoots the ball at a high enough rate to be effective in college. Regardless, he'll make some coaches very happy wherever he ends up. He's the third player on this list that plays high school basketball for his father.

10. Tate Besteman (Rudyard) - This 6'8" forward, with a longer wingspan, came out of nowhere on my radar. His per game numbers during his senior year were: 16.1 points (over 1,000 career points), 9.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. He was voted the Defensive Player of the Year in the Eastern UP Conference for two years in a row. I've heard of a couple of schools that have shown interest, but unaware of any college decision at this time.