The Polar League (Big) Preview

<p>Moose Lake-Willow River went 18-4 last season and earned a trip to state.  The competition in the league is stiff though with several good teams. We preview the Polar today. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p><strong>Top Ten Potential</strong>:  Moose Lake-Willow River, Esko </p> <p>Moose Lake-Willow River beat teams 83 to 58 on average a season ago leading to an 18-4 record and a spot at state.  The Rebels lost their top two players but return a few all league players and 2-3 reserves that are ready for bigger roles.  They have a chance to beat top ten in state again.  Esko has some ground to make up on MLWR and they will have to do it losing three starters and a couple all league guys.  Esko has the talent to make a push for the league championship.  </p> <p><strong>Compete with Most</strong>: South Ridge, Two Harbors, Barnum</p> <p>South Ridge went 13-7 last year and picked up a few noteworthy wins.  With one of the best junior bigs in the state ([player_tooltip player_id="962243" first="Austin" last="Josephson"]) and most of their rotation back they will be better.  But good enough to move into contender area?  Not sure that they are quite ready for that yet. Two Harbors also brings back most of their team including their star, guard [player_tooltip player_id="962237" first="Trent" last="Gomez"].  Gomez is the playmaker and the talent around him also returns so expectations are high.  Two Harbors beat South Ridge by a big number last year so they get the head to head edge.  Two Harbors and South Ridge were both 13-7 last year and should improve on the 13 wins. Barnum was 12-9 a season ago and return one of their top players Joseph Peterson.  Peterson will lead a group of mostly seniors.  They will be smaller and have some good players to replace, but Barnum will be a very good team again. </p> <p><strong>Rebuilding</strong>: Cook County</p> <p>The Vikings won only one game a season ago and scored just 32 points a contest.  When you look at last year’s results and then compare what they have back with the talent in the rest of the league, it could be another rough year in league play.  Improvements can still be made though throughout the 26 game schedule. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>21-22 Conference Predictions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Moose Lake-Willow River</li> <li>Esko</li> <li>Two Harbors</li> <li>South Ridge</li> <li>Barnum</li> <li>Cook County</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Polar League (Big) Conference</strong></p> <p><strong><u>First Team</u></strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962243" first="Austin" last="Josephson"] of South Ridge (jr)</p> <p>Cuinn Berger of Esko (jr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962237" first="Trent" last="Gomez"] of Two Harbors (jr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1288682" first="Phillip" last="Sheetz"] of Moose Lake-Willow River (sr)</p> <p>Logan Orvedahl of Moose Lake-Willow River (sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Second Team</u></strong></p> <p>Joseph Peterson of Barnum (sr)</p> <p>Clark Nelson of Two Harbors (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958718" first="Chad" last="Hart"] of Esko (sr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1227672" first="Kyler" last="Pitkanen"] of Two Harbors (jr)</p> <p>Jaxson Bennett of South Ridge (sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Third Team</u></strong></p> <p>Landin Kurhajetz of Moose Lake-Willow River (sr)</p> <p>Willie Richardson of Barnum (sr)</p> <p>Nick Swanson of Esko (sr)</p> <p>Aaron Bennett of South Ridge (sr)</p> <p>Ethan Bopp of Two Harbors (jr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>