The Polar League (Big) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Esko was the class of the bigger Polar League Conference and we expect something similar this season. The Polar League (Big) Preview!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Ten in State</strong>: Esko</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we said in the 7AA profile, Esko has a chance to be even better than we originally thought. If the depth moves in around their returning all league players Esko is a top ten team in state led by Berger and Perich (yes as I said before, we are fully aware of the elite three sport junior athlete now). Perich was the conference MVP last year and returns with two all league teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Ten in State Potential</strong>: Two Harbors</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is likely a stretch but I do think Two Harbors is a top 30 team in Class AA basketball (although getting to the top ten might be tough). With three/four starters back led by the top scorer in the league in [player_tooltip player_id='962237' first='Trent' last='Gomez'], they do have an outside shot at an elite year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Compete with Most</strong>:  Barnum, South Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnum lost seven of their top eight guys so this is a roster that likely needs to be rebuilt but at the same time they do bring back a top five scorer in this league so it's not a total restart. The line-up will look quite a bit different and 21 wins will be tough to duplicate. South Ridge has more size than nearly every high school team in Minnesota regardless of class. With a 6'10 senior and a 6'9 senior you have to believe there is some monster zone being played. Also, South Ridge is a veteran team so they should be hitting that 20 win area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rebuilding:</strong> Moose Lake-Willow River, Cook County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you lose your top six guys at a smaller school program you are rebuilding your line-up. That said, it does not mean the Rebels will fall hard in the standings, it just means they are rebuilding much of their rotation. And it helps to do that when your JV only lost three games the season before. Cook County only averaged 39 points a game and lost by an average of 25 points a night. They do have their best player back but this team is still trying to get back on track. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22-23 Conference Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Esko</li><li>Two Harbors</li><li>South Ridge</li><li>Barnum</li><li>Moose Lake-Willow River</li><li>Cook County </li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason All Polar League (Big)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>First Team</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2093687' first='Makoi' last='Perich'] of Esko (jr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962237' first='Trent' last='Gomez'] of Two Harbors (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962243' first='Austin' last='Josephson'] of South Ridge (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1339994' first='Cuinn' last='Berger'] of Esko (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dalton Spindler of Esko (jr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Second Team</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ethan Bopp of Two Harbors (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2375111' first='Hayden' last='Charboneau'] of Barnum (jr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paul Dor of Cook County (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1492600' first='Slayton' last='Stroschein'] of South RIdge (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luke Dewey of MLWR (jr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Third Team</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jimmy Walker of MLWR (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashton Neudahl of South Ridge (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter Zezulka of Esko (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron Nelson of Two Harbors (sr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2104463' first='Sam' last='Haugen'] of Esko (soph)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->