The Mid-State Preview

<p>Pequot Lakes ran away with the Mid-State Conference last year.  Will that change in 2021-22?  Today we have a look. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p><strong>Top Contenders: </strong>Pequot Lakes, Detroit Lakes, Crosby-Ironton</p> <p>Pequot Lakes is the pick to win this league, they are the pick to win 7AA this year, and they will enter the season as a top ten squad in Class AA.  With one of the elite juniors of Class AA in [player_tooltip player_id="962249" first="Eli" last="Laposky"] and a developing big in Sam Rysvay at 6’6/6’7 they have the pillars for success.  That’s two key starters and several of their bench players back for a run.  Next up is likely Detroit Lakes.  With a couple all league players back, a big to handle the double-doubles and a senior ball handler, DL will be solid.  They will need to be more consistent putting points on the board though to overtake Pequot Lakes. This is the year that Crosby-Ironton makes their biggest push of the last handful of years and they could potentially overtake PL if things break correctly.  Last year’s game wasn’t close but the gap will have closed some, but how much?</p> <p><strong>Compete with Most: </strong> Aitkin, Park Rapids</p> <p>The Gobblers have enough back to compete but the loss of league player of the year Hunter Nissen was a tough blow and it will be a team effort to replace his production.  Park Rapids should be better after a 5-12 season.  Most of their rotation and top producing pieces are back.  </p> <p><strong>Rebuilding:  </strong>Staples-Motley</p> <p>The Cards won games last year outside of the league but were not able to win inside the league.  That should change this year but how much? The 51 points a game has to improve though. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>21-22 Conference Predictions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Pequot Lakes</li> <li>Crosby-Ironton</li> <li>Detroit Lakes</li> <li>Park Rapids</li> <li>Aitkin</li> <li>Staples-Motley</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Mid State Conference</strong></p> <p><strong><u>First Team</u></strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962249" first="Eli" last="Laposky"] of Pequot Lakes (jr)</p> <p>Nate Cihak of Detroit Lakes (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958738" first="Carsen" last="Turk"] of Crosby-Ironton (sr)</p> <p>Sam Rysavy of Pequot Lakes (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958778" first="Jordan" last="Oehrlein"] of Crosby-Ironton (sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Second Team</u></strong></p> <p>Nick Michaelson of Park Rapids (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958809" first="Sivert" last="Klefsaas"] of Staples-Motley (sr)</p> <p>Logan Jackson of Park Rapids (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958809" first="Sivert" last="Klefsaas"] of Detroit Lakes (sr)</p> <p>Ryan Harmala of Pequot Lakes (sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Third Team</u></strong></p> <p>Parker Harmon of Park Rapids (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962311" first="Isaiah" last="Schultz"] of Staples-Motley (sr)</p> <p>Evin Rudd of Pequot Lakes (sr)</p> <p>Caeden Yliniemi of Detroit Lakes (sr)</p> <p>Gus Sanford of Aitkin (sr)</p>