Eastern Midlands Conference Preview

<p><em>We're bouncing around the state and seeing what this year has in store. Let's take a look at the always competitive EMC. </em></p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p><strong>Top Ten</strong>: Waverly, Bennington </p> <p>The top ten in Class B is looking really wide open after the loss of so many incredible players to graduation. Nonetheless, there are still teams with solid talent bases that will compete weekly. As of now, I have Waverly and Bennington as locks in my preseason top ten. The Vikings lose [player_tooltip player_id="958186" first="Andrew" last="Heffelfinger"] but his little brother AJ should be ready to step up and take on a larger role. AJ won’t be alone in that endeavor though. [player_tooltip player_id="981709" first="Cole" last="Murray"] returns and the three-sport stud will be one of the leaders of the squad. [player_tooltip player_id="1018712" first="Preston" last="Harms"] is going to have a breakout season and the Vikings have a pair of solid bigs down low in Hogan Wingrove and Drew Miller. They are always a scrappy squad but they won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made another deep tourney run this season. I really like Bennington’s squad. [player_tooltip player_id="1167645" first="Austin" last="Holtz"] is one of the best players in Class B and I have him tabbed as my Preseason Conference Player of the Year. This dude can flat-out go on offense, and he’s one of the most fun players to watch when he catches fire. While Holtz will be the player that most scouting reports key in on, keep an eye out for [player_tooltip player_id="1172805" first="Isaac" last="Conner"]. He’ll be the engine that keeps the Badgers rolling. Conners plays an undersized big for them but is such a strong player that he holds his own. He handles all of the dirty work and does it at a high level, his intensity really caught my eye this summer. The Badgers went .500 a season ago but I predict a lot more wins coming their way this season, watch out!  </p> <p><strong>Top Ten Potential: </strong>Blair, Elkhorn North</p> <p>After a Cinderella run to state last season, Blair is one year better and should have a stronger squad. They’ve got some solid shooters in their backcourt in [player_tooltip player_id="1235613" first="Luke" last="Ladwig"] and Kip Tupa. If their state-run last year has the returners playing with a lot of confidence, the Bears could find themselves right back on the grandest stage in Nebraska. Elkhorn North had no seniors so everyone is back for the Wolves. [player_tooltip player_id="1018810" first="Brandon" last="Orgilbold"] will get a lot of buckets this season and ditto for [player_tooltip player_id="1150371" first="Jack" last="Lusk"]. If that senior duo puts together a big-time campaign this year, the Wolves could have a special season in only their second year of existence. </p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Compete with Most</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">: Elkhorn</span></p> <p>The Antlers lose a lot from a team that was in the state championship last season. Luckily for them, they return one of the best players in the class in [player_tooltip player_id="1164531" first="Dane" last="Petersen"]. Petersen is an uber-athletic wing that plays with a super high motor. These are some great qualities to have when you play in Elkhorn’s vaunted zone. Petersen is going to get a lot of blocks, steals, and dunks this year. If you have a chance, catch an Antler game, because Petersen is always primed to make a jaw-dropping play. </p> <p><strong>Rebuilding</strong>: Norris </p> <p>This was a senior-laden squad that dominated in Class B last season. They’ll be a lot younger this year but Lincoln Southwest transfer [player_tooltip player_id="981717" first="Myles" last="Hoehne"] will be a solid player for them. </p> <p><strong>21-22 Conference Predictions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Waverly</li> <li>Bennington</li> <li>Blair</li> <li>Elkhorn North</li> <li>Elkhorn</li> <li>Norris</li> </ol> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1167645" first="Austin" last="Holtz"] (Bennington) </p> <p><strong>Preseason All-EMC Team</strong></p> <p>(Note: I went with six players and chose them regardless of what position they play)</p> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1167645" first="Austin" last="Holtz"] (Bennington)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1235613" first="Luke" last="Ladwig"] (Blair) </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="981709" first="Cole" last="Murray"] (Waverly)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1018810" first="Brandon" last="Orgilbold"] (Elkhorn North)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1164531" first="Dane" last="Petersen"] (Elkhorn) </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1150371" first="Jack" last="Lusk"] (Elkhorn North)</li> </ul>