The Northwoods Top 2023 Players 1.1

The second list of the Top 25 high school seniors (class of 2023) in the Northwoods. The list is in alphabetical order of last names. College commitments have been updated since the first list.

Logan Baumgartner (Medford)

Dominic Croci (Hurley)

Isaiah Dietz (Chequamegon) - Concordia-St. Paul commit

Jax Effertz (Cumberland)

Trent Gomez (Two Harbors) - Augsburg commit

Grant Hansen (Rock Ridge)

Austin Josephson (South Ridge) - Bemidji State commit

Jobe Juenemann (Duluth East)

Cole Lahti (Northwestern)

Eli Laposky (Pequot Lakes) - Bemidji State commit

Nolan Lurvey (Northland Pines)

Mason Monarski (Chippewa Falls) - UW-Eau Claire commit

Tyler Orr (Rice Lake)

Grant Paetzold (Cameron)

Mason Prey (Newman Catholic)

Isaac Seidel (Newman Catholic) - Concordia-Wisconsin commit

Isaac Severts (Bemidji) - Bemidji State commit

Gabe Smith (Northland Pines) - Michigan Tech commit

Patrick Smith (Duluth East) - Carleton commit

Davin Stoffel (Mosinee) - South Dakota State commit (football)

Mason Stoik (Eau Claire Memorial) - UW-Stout commit

Slayton Strochein (South Ridge) - UW-Superior commit

Eli Talsma (Hurley)

Owen Wilson (Blackduck)

Asher Zubich (Mountain Iron-Buhl) - St. Olaf commit (football)

2022 Holiday Tournament Schedule

CHISHOLM HOLIDAY TOURANMENT

Hosted by Chisholm High School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

South Ridge (83) vs. International Falls (28)

Northeast Range (13) @ Chisholm (90)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

International Falls (75) vs. Northeast Range (37)

South Ridge (40) @ Chisholm (41)

CLAYTON HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Clayton High School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Solon Springs (76) vs. Prairie Farm (71)

Turtle Lake (49) @ Clayton (45)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Solon Springs (75) vs. Turtle Lake (50)

Mellen @ Clayton (4:30)

CROSBY-IRONTON HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Crosby-Ironton High School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Breck (88) vs. Fond du Lac Ojibwe (51)

Deer River (60) @ Crosby-Ironton (67)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Deer River (92) vs. Fond du Lac Ojibwe (56)

Breck (80) @ Crosby-Ironton (39)

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Breck (69) vs. Deer River (71)

Fond du Lac Ojibwe (81) @ Crosby-Ironton (87)

ELY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Ely High School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Cook County (22) @ Ely (87)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Cook County (39) vs. Bigfork (68)

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Bigfork (41) @ Ely (60)

ESKO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Esko High School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Hinckley-Finlayson (45) @ Esko (85)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Duluth Marshall (65) vs. Hinckley-Finlayson (68)

HIBBING HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Lincoln Elementary School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Game 1 - Superior (59) vs. Duluth Denfeld (51)

Game 2 - Hiawatha (75) vs. Grand Rapids (66)

Game 3 - Owatonna (86) vs. Southwest Christian (60)

Game 4 - Rock Ridge (63) @ Hibbing (35)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Duluth Denfeld (68) vs. Grand Rapids (56)

Superior (60)vs. Hiawatha (57)

Owatonna (96) vs. Hibbing (40)

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Southwest Christian (87) @ Hibbing (63)

Owatonna (79) vs. Duluth Denfeld (56)

MENOMONIE SHOWCASE

Hosted by Menomonie High School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Tomah (34) vs. River Falls (75)

Wausau West (44) @ Menomonie (49)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

River Falls (59) vs. Wausau West (46)

Tomah (64) @ Menomonie (61)

NORWAY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Norway High School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Menominee (59) vs. Westwood (56)

Gwinn (24) @ Norway (67)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Westwood vs. Gwinn (1:00)

Menominee @ Norway (3:00)

WOOD CITY CLASSIC

Hosted by Cloquet Middle School

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Mesabi East (30) vs. Pine City (80)

Cromwell-Wright (35) @ Cloquet (71)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Cromwell-Wright (75) vs. Mesabi East (42)

Pine City (59) @ Cloquet (50)

ELCHO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Elcho High School

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Wisconsin Valley Lutheran @ Elcho (10:00AM)

Lakeland (74) vs. Flambeau (37)

Flambeau vs. Wisconsin Valley Lutheran (3:00)

Lakeland (76) @ Elcho (50)

WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Bertha-Hewitt (45) vs. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo (77)

Lake of the Woods (40) vs. Staples-Motley (85)

Hill City (43) vs. Win-E-Mac (90)

Lake Park-Audubon (67) @ Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (53)

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Staples-Motley (41) vs. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo (65)

Hill City (49) @ Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (66)

Lake Park-Audubon (39) vs. Win-E-Mac (69)

AITKIN HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Aitkin High School

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Mille Lacs (28) @ Aitkin (75)

Greenway (36) vs. Pierz (79)

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Greenway (47) vs. Mille Lacs (41)

Pierz (49) @ Aitkin (53)

AUBURNDALE HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Auburndale High School

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Neillsville (69) vs. Weyauwega-Fremont (51)

Augusta (23) @ Auburndale (63)

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Augusta (59) vs. Neillsville (73)

Weyauwega-Fremont (42) @ Auburndale (46)

CARNEY-NADEAU HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Carney-Nadeau High School

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Brimley (71) vs. Stephenson (48)

Milwaukee School of Excellence (60) @ Carney-Nadeau (57)

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Stephenson @ Carney-Nadeau (3:45)

Brimley vs. Milwaukee School of Excellence (5:30)

PEQUOT LAKES HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Pequot Lakes High School

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Mora (80) vs. Warroad (33)

Rock Ridge (51) @ Pequot Lakes (81)

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Rock Ridge (90) vs. Warroad (56)

Mora (56) @ Pequot Lakes (55)

MANISTIQUE EMERALD HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Manistique High School

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Cedarville vs. Mackinaw City (5:00)

Hancock @ Manistique (7:00)

Friday, December 30, 2022

Cedarville vs. Hancock (12:00)

Mackinaw City @ Manistique (4:00)

RICE LAKE HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Rice Lake High School

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Cumberland (47) vs. Eau Claire Regis (46)

Altoona (46) @ Rice Lake (77)

Friday, December 30, 2022

Altoona vs. Cumberland (5:00)

Eau Claire Regis @ Rice Lake (6:30)

STRATFORD HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Hosted by Stratford High School

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Bangor (82) vs. Wausau East (75)

Owen-Withee (62) @ Stratford (48)

Friday, December 30, 2022

Wausau East @ Stratford (5:30)

Bangor vs. Owen-Withee (7:00)

2022-2023 Lakeland Conference Preview

Overview:

EAST

I think the Lakeland-East is primed for Bruce to win for the second time in three years. A strong senior group (Jake Thome - HM & Matt Popowich - 2nd) along with junior Ryan Popowich (17.9ppg), who is turning into one of the best players in the conference. Those three should team up to be one of the better teams in Northern Wisconsin. Prairie Farm bring back Elec Klefstad (1st) who helped keep them competitive last season as a junior. New Auburn graduates a lot of seniors, but they should bring back enough to stay competitive. Cornell returns two All-Conference selections (Dylan Bowe - 1st & Blake Anders - HM). They should be able to make a little jump to the top half of the conference. The rest of the conference is kind of a toss-up at this point. Most teams lost some key pieces. Lake Holcombe and Flambeau had good seniors, but always bring in younger players to step into new roles. Clayton and Winter could easily change places. Winter could potentially jump passed Lake Holcombe and Flambeau if they keep developing. Birchwood has been struggle for two years now and I don't really expect that to change this season.

WEST

A lot of talent graduated from the Lakeland-West in 2022. Clear Lake, Grantsburg, and Turtle Lake all graduated large senior classes who have carried them for a couple of years. Unity appears to have the most talented group returning with two All-Conference selections (Jaxon Tilton - 1st & Jacob Erickson - 2nd). Northwood brings back some good size and skill. Landen Micken (11.5ppg) and Jared Schultz (HM All-Conference) along with some good size from 6'8" Caden Denham should make Northwood tough again. Siren has two 2nd-Team All-Conference selections returning (Ethan Ruud - 10.8ppg & Fletcher Christianson - 16.3ppg). I would assume that experience will help them remain competitive towards the top. Grantsburg and Turtle Lake both always seem to be stocked with good athletes. Although they graduated a lot, I expect them to remain competitive. Shell Lake will be interesting with two seniors who were All-Conference a year ago (Landon Deneen - 2nd & Jack Brunberg - HM). Clear Lake could potentially finish at the bottom of the conference. Riley Peterson and Tyson Blanchard are major production levels that they need to replace. Luck, Frederic, and Webster don't return a ton, so I would expect them to be at the bottom of the conference.

Predictions

EAST

1. Bruce Red Raiders (2021-2022 season: 19-7 overall, 14-2 conference, 2nd)

2. Prairie Farm Panthers (2021-2022 season: 11-12 overall, 11-5 conference, 4th)

3. New Auburn Trojans (2021-2022 season: 13-8 overall, 12-4 conference, 3rd)

4. Cornell Trojans (2021-2022 season: 6-19 overall, 3-13 conference, t-7th)

5. Lake Holcombe (2021-2022 season: 7-17 overall, 6-9 conference, 5th)

6. Flambeau Falcons (2021-2022 season: 24-1 overall, 15-1 conference, 1st)

7. Clayton Golden Bears (2021-2022 season: 4-18 overall, 4-11 conference, 6th)

8. Winter (2021-2022 season: 4-21 overall, 3-13 conference, t-7th)

9. Birchwood (2021-2022 season: 4-20 overall, 3-13 conference, t-7th)

WEST

1. Unity Eagles (2021-2022 season: 20-8 overall, 15-3 conference, 2nd)

2. Northwood Evergreens (2021-2022 season: 16-10 overall, 10-8 conference, 5th)

3. Siren Dragons (2021-2022 season: 15-12 overall, 8-10 conference, 6th)

4. Grantsburg Pirates (2021-2022 season: 17-7 overall, 14-4 conference, t-3rd)

5. Turtle Lake Lakers (2021-2022 season: 21-7 overall, 14-4 conference, t-3rd)

6. Shell Lake Lakers (2021-2022 season: 9-15 overall, 6-12 conference, 7th)

7. Clear Lake Lakers (2021-2022 season: 23-3 overall, 16-2 conference, 1st)

8. Luck Cardinals (2021-2022 season: 5-18 overall, 4-14 conference, 8th)

9. Frederic Vikings (2021-2022 season: 5-20 overall, 2-16 conference, 9th)

10. Webster Tigers (2021-2022 season: 3-22 overall, 1-17 conference, 10th)

Sleeper(s): Prairie Farm (East), Grantsburg (West)

Projected POY:  

East: Ryan Popowich (Junior) - Bruce

West: Jaxon Tilton (Junior) - Unity

Seniors to Watch:

Dylan Bowe (Cornell)

Landon Deneen (Shell Lake)

Landen Micken (Northwood)

Matt Popowich (Bruce)

Jake Thome (Bruce)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/6/2022 - Northwood @ Unity

12/20/2022 - Siren @ Grantsburg

1/20/2023 - Unity @ Northwood

1/27/2023 - Bruce @ New Auburn

1/31/2023 - Bruce @ Prairie Farm

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

11/29/2022 - St. Croix Falls @ Unity

11/29/2022 - Drummond @ Siren

12/1/2022 - Solon Springs @ Northwood

1/9/2023 - Prairie Farm @ Colfax

1/21/2023 - Bruce @ Cameron

2022-2023 Great Northern (WI) Conference Preview

Overview:

The Great Northern might be the deepest conferences in Northern Wisconsin this season. It seems like every team has talent and there's probably 3-4 teams who could win the conference championship. My gut has to go with Northland Pines since they return four All-Conference selections who are seniors now (Nolan Lurvey - 1st/POY, Ryan Muench - 2nd, Griffin Steimke - 2nd, & Gabe Smith - HM). This group has been getting meaningful minutes on varsity since their freshman year and they continue to improve every season. Mosinee and Medford could be a toss-up for 2-3. Mosinee graduated a couple of important players but also return Davin Stoffel (17.7ppg and 1st-Team All-Conference) and a promising junior in Keegan Jirschele (2nd-Team All-Conference). Stoffel is committed to South Dakota State for football. Medford has the co-POY returning in Logan Baumgartner (21.3ppg) and also have a promising junior of their own in Tanner Hraby (HM All-Conference). Lakeland brings back to All-Conference selections with Will Fortier (2nd & 17.5ppg) and Brayden Wiczek (HM All-Conference). I expect them to be competitive but I'm not sure if they will be able to pass the previously mentioned three teams. Antigo, Rhinelander, and Tomahawk round out the rest of the conference, in that order. Antigo brings in a new coach, which could inject some life into a recently struggling program. Rhinelander graduated a talented senior class and have no returning All-Conference selections. Tomahawk has one returning All-Conference player (Gavyn Palmer - HM) but they struggled pretty bad last season and I expect that to continue.

Projections:

1. Northland Pines Eagles (2021-2022 season: 18-7 overall, 9-3 conference, t-2nd)

2. Mosinee Indians (2021-2022 season: 22-3 overall, 11-1 conference, 1st)

3. Medford Raiders (2021-2022 season: 21-7 overall, 9-3 conference, t-2nd)

4. Lakeland Thunderbirds (2021-2022 season: 10-15 overall, 5-7 conference, 5th)

5. Antigo Red Birds (2021-2022 season: 3-22 overall, 2-10 conference, 6th)

6. Rhinelander Hodags (2021-2022 season: 13-14 overall, 6-6 conference, 4th)

7. Tomahawk Hatchets (2021-2022 season: 5-14 overall, 2-10 conference, 7th)

Sleeper: Lakeland

Projected POY: Nolan Lurvey (Senior) - Northland Pines

Seniors to Watch:

Logan Baumgartner (Medford)

Nolan Lurvey (Northland Pines)

Riley Muench (Northland Pines)

Will Fortier (Lakeland)

Davin Stoffel (Mosinee)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2022 - Lakeland @ Medford

1/28/2022 - Rhinelander @ Northland Pines

2/10/2023 - Northland Pines @ Medford

2/17/2023 - Medford @ Mosinee

2/23/2023 - Mosinee @ Lakeland

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/16/2022 - Ladysmith @ Northland Pines

12/17/2022 - Medford @ Onalaska

1/14/2023 - Mosinee @ Kaukauna

1/21/2023 - Northland Pines @ Catholic Memorial

2/20/2023 - Mosinee @ Brillion

2022-2023 Marawood Conference Preview

Overview:

NORTH:

I've been waiting for Chequamegon to make the jump to the top of the conference and I think this might finally be the year. Isaiah Deietz (18.3ppg and 11.8rpg) returns as a 1st-Team All-Conference selection and is probably the most athletic kid in the conference. He's a little raw, but he is fun to watch! Aiden Janke (14.2ppg and 10.2rpg) is the other returning 1st-Team All-Conference selection. I could see Athens playing well enough and winning enough Marawood-South games that they win the conference. Prentice brings back the most All-Conference selections with three (Layne Blomberg - 2nd, Ashton Makovsky - 2nd, & Reese Isaacson - HM). Prentice is my sleeper to win the Marawood-North. The bottom three teams could potentially be a toss up, but I think it will go Abbotsford, Rib Lake, followed by Phillips. They each return All-Conference selections, but I just don't think any of them will have the fire power to compete at the top of the conference.

SOUTH:

Newman Catholic returns two 1st-Team All-Conference selections in Mason Prey (23.4 ppg) and Isaac Seidel (16.8ppg). Add in Connor Krach (Honorable Mention) and they should find themselves at the top of the conference. Marathon returns the only other 1st-Team All-Conference selection in Grant Warren (15.4ppg and 7.3rpg). Warren is coming into his junior season and the 6'8" forward might be a matchup nightmare for other Marawood teams. Auburndale brings back three All-Conference selections (Alex Willfahrt - 2nd, Caden Weinfurter - 2nd, & Lucas Yeske - HM). That should be enough to keep Auburndale competitive towards that top of the conference. Stratford brings back to Honorable Mention selections (Ashton Wrensch and Braeden Schueller), but lost two other All-Conference players to graduation. Edgar returns Brett Baumgartner (7.8ppg) who was Honorable Mention last season, but they have a lot of talent to replace. Assumption should finish towards the bottom again, I would expect them to get some conference wins against the Marawood-North. 

Projections:

NORTH

1. Chequamegon Screaming Eagles (2021-2022 season: 16-9 overall, 8-8 conference, 2nd)

2. Athens Blue Jays (2021-2022 season: 22-7 overall, 11-5 conference, 1st)

3. Prentice Pirates (2021-2022 season: 16-11 overall, 7-9 conference, 3rd)

4. Abbotsford (2021-2022 season: 4-21 overall, 2-14 conference, 5th)

5. Rib Lake (2021-2022 season: 8-16 overall, 5-11 conference, 4th)

6. Phillips Loggers (2021-2022 season: 4-22 overall, 1-15 conference, 6th)

SOUTH

1. Newman Catholic Cardinals (2021-2022 season: 20-8 overall, 12-4 conference, 3rd)

2. Marathon (2021-2022 season: 21-5 overall, 14-2 conference, 1st)

3. Auburndale (2021-2022 season: 17-9 overall, 10-6 conference, 4th)

4. Stratford Tigers (2021-2022 season: 22-5 overall, 13-3 conference, 2nd)

5. Edgar Wildcats (2021-2022 season: 14-12 overall, 8-8 conference, 5th)

6. Assumption (2021-2022 season: 11-14 overall, 5-11 conference, 6th)

Sleeper: Prentice (North), Stratford (South)

Projected POY:

South: Mason Prey (Senior) - Newman Catholic

North: Isaiah Dietz (Senior) - Chequamegon

Seniors to Watch:

Layne Blomberg (Prentice)

Aiden Janke (Athens)

Connor Krach (Newman Catholic)

Isaac Seidel (Newman Catholic)

Alex Willfahrt (Auburndale)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/20/2022 - Marathon @ Newman Catholic

1/19/2023 - Chequamegon @ Newman Catholic

1/24/2023 - Auburndale @ Stratford

2/17/2023 - Prentice @ Chequamegon

2/23/2023 - Newman Catholic @ Stratford

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/5/2022 - Columbus Catholic @ Auburndale

12/22/2022 - Hurley @ Chequamegon

1/3/2023 - Prentice @ Bruce

1/28/2023 - Stratford @ Neillsville

2/18/2023 - Newman Catholic @ Stoughton

2022-2023 Northern Lakes (WI) Conference Preview

Overview:

Florence has been probably the most consistent team in the Northern Lakes over the last five seasons. Expect them to be competing at the top of the conference since they return the only 1st-Team All-Conference section (Evan Johnson - 15.6ppg) and Co-Defensive POY (Dominic DeMuri - 9.6ppg) from last season. Along with those two, William Kelley is a promising junior who averaged 12.5ppg last season and was a 2nd-Team All-Conference selection. They were competitive last season but Wabeno-Laona just had to much scoring power. Wabeno-Laona graduated their two leading scorers, but still bring back Carter Janesch (10.4ppg). Goodman-Pembine and Three Lakes are in very similar situations, where they lost a couple of seniors who were key pieces but also bring back some young talent that might be able to keep them in the mix of things. Goodman-Pembine returns Honorable Mention All-Conference selection Ryan Ehlert (14.6ppg). Three Lakes brings back Jared Kaufman (8.4ppg and 10.0rpg), who was also Honorable Mention All-Conference. The bottom three teams don't return any All-Conference selections. Crandon does have some decent players returning this season, but I don't anticipate it being enough to keep them competitive to win the conference. Elcho graduated two All-Conference selections in a year where they still struggled, so I can't expect much more out of them this year. Phelps hasn't won a game in two years, so I have to pick them at the bottom until they prove me otherwise.

Projections:

1. Florence Bobcats (2021-2022 season: 19-6 overall, 7-3 conference, 2nd)

2. Wabeno/Laona Rebels (2021-2022 season: 19-6 overall, 9-1 conference, 1st)

3. Goodman/Pembine (2021-2022 season: 15-9 overall, 5-5 conference, 4th)

4. Three Lakes Blue Jays (2021-2022 season: 14-7 overall, 6-4 conference, 3rd)

5. Crandon Cardinals (2021-2022 season: 7-17 overall, 2-8 conference, 5th)

6. Elcho (2021-2022 season: 10-13 overall, 1-9 conference, 6th)

7. Phelps (2021-2022 season: 0-2 overall, 0-0 conference, 7th)

Sleeper: Three Lakes

Projected POY: Evan Johnson (Senior) - Florence

Seniors to Watch:
Dominic DeMuri (Florence)

Carter Janesch (Wabeno-Laona)

Peyton Krause (Crandon)

Adam Seeber (Wabeno-Laona)

John Slowik (Elcho)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2022 - Goodman-Pembine @ Crandon

12/13/2022 - Wabeno-Laona @ Florence

12/16/2022 - Wabeno-Laona @ Goodman-Pembine

1/10/2023 - Three Lakes @ Goodman-Pembine

2/13/2023 - Three Lakes @ Florence

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

11/26/2022 - McDonell Central vs. Wabeno-Laona @ Wausau East

12/20/2022 - Forest Park (MI) @ Florence

1/3/2023 - Wakefield-Marenisco (MI) @ Three Lakes

2/7/2023 - Chequamegon @ Florence

2/16/2023 - Pacelli @ Wabeno/Laona

2022-2023 Big Rivers Conference Preview

Overview:

There was so much talent in the 2022 graduating class out of the entire Big Rivers Conference. 2 NCAA Division 1 commits (Noah Fedderson - North Dakota State & LJ Wells - Northern Kentucky), 4 NCAA Division 2 commits (Andre Renta - St. Cloud State, Mehki Shaw - Southwest Minnesota State, Will Boser - Concordia-St. Paul, & CJ Campbell - Northern Michigan), along with numerous other players going to play at other levels. It doesn't appear their will be as many scholarship level kids this year, but the talent level is still pretty high in the conference.

Eau Claire Memorial may have lost the most talent of any school, but also returns some players that should keep them at the top. Mason Stoik (2022 Honorable Mention All-Conference), Ben Mestelle, Connor Welsch, and Cooper Jasperson is a solid group returning. 2-5 in the conference is kind of a toss up this year. Rice Lake returns their two All-Conference selections from last season (Tyler Orr - 22.0ppg and Zach Orr - 10.6ppg). Hudson always brings back athletic groups, but this year it is headed by Ben Healy. Eau Claire North plays so well together, that it's getting hard to pick them any lower than 4th every year. They don't return any big name players, but they just find a way to be competitive every year. Chippewa Falls is a team that could surprise some people this year. They return a senior class who had to step into some new roles last season, and that seemed to be a tough transition for them. I think after a season of playing in those roles they will be ready to get back to the middle of the conference again. Mason Monarski should be one of the top scorers in the conference this season. River Falls has graduated so many talented players over the last two seasons, it's hard to imagine that they won't fall off a little this year. Although they always have good athletes and somehow manage to remain competitive. Menomonie returns Charlie Morning, but also lose their top two scores from last season to graduation. That's a lot to replace on a team that couldn't get things rolling last year. New Richmond loses the Scoring Champ from last season, who also finished second in rebounding in the conference. They still struggled in their transition to the Big Rivers, I would expect more struggles this season.

Projections:

1. Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes (2021-2022 season: 22-5 overall, 13-1 conference, 1st)
2. Rice Lake Warriors (2021-2022 season: 14-11 overall, 6-8 conference, 5th)

3. Hudson Raiders (2021-2022 season: 13-11 overall, 8-6 conference, t-3rd)

4. Eau Claire North Huskies (2021-2022 season: 13-11 overall, 8-6 conference, t-3rd)

5. Chippewa Falls Cardinals (2021-2022 season: 4-21 overall, 2-12 conference, 8th)

6. River Falls Wildcats (2021-2022 season: 20-6 overall, 11-3 conference, 2nd)

7. Menomonie Mustangs (2021-2022 season: 11-15 overall, 4-10 conference, t-6th)

8. New Richmond Tigers (2021-2022 season: 8-18 overall, 4-10 conference, t-6th)

Sleeper: Chippewa Falls

Projected POY: Mason Stoik (Senior) - Eau Claire Memorial

Seniors to Watch:

Tyler Orr (Rice Lake)

Mason Monarski (Chippewa Falls)

Ben Healy (Hudson)

Charlie Morning (Menomonie)

Ben Mestelle (Eau Claire Memorial)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2022 - Chippewa Falls @ Rice Lake

1/28/2023 - Eau Claire Memorial @ River Falls

2/4/2023 - River Falls @ Hudson

2/10/2023 - Eau Claire North @ Eau Claire Memorial

2/23/2023 - Chippewa Falls @ Eau Claire Memorial

Non-Conference Games to Watc

12/29/2022 - Sussex Hamilton @ Eau Claire Memorial

1/10/2023 - Chippewa Falls @ DC Everest

1/14/2023 - Caledonia vs. Rice Lake (@ La Crosse Center)

2/7/2023 - Hudson @ Minnehaha Academy

2/21/2023 - Rice Lake @ Northwestern