Heart O’North Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Cameron 17-1 (25-3); 2. Northwestern 15-3 (18-8); 3. Ladysmith 14-4 (20-7); 4. Cumberland 10-8 (14-12); 5. Chetek-Weyerhaeuser 8-10 (11-14); 6. Ashland 7-11 (8-16); 7. Barron 6-12 (7-18); 8. Hayward 5-13 (5-20); 9. St. Croix Falls 4-14 (5-20); 10. Spooner 4-14 (5-19). <br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Northwestern </strong>-- The two-year stranglehold the Tigers had on the Heart O'North title ended last season as Northwestern finished two games behind league-winner Cameron. Nolan Graff's squad should again contend for the league crown as three starters are back from an 18-8 squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2432837' first='Boden' last='Teal'] (5-9, 16.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.2 apg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2627944' first='Austin' last='Lahti'] (6-4, 6.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg) along with sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2509481' first='Tysen' last='Teal'] (5-8, 8.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg). Providing some depth for the Tigers are senior Oscar Danz (6-2, 3.3 ppg) along with juniors Finley Nelson (6-0) and Ethan Harms (6-3). The Northwestern JV1 squad finished 23-1 so newcomers from that team also figure to contend for playing time. <br><br><strong>2. Ladysmith</strong> -- The Lumberjacks have a pair of runner-up finishes and one third-place finish over the past three seasons, and coach Jason Lehman's club figures to be in the mix for another successful season in 2024-25. Four starters are back from a 20-win squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2389718' first='Timmy' last='Meltz'] (6-1, 13.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2389855' first='Andrew' last='Lehman'] (6-2, 11.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Braeden Little (6-2, 11.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2389720' first='Louis' last='Zimmer'] (6-2, 4.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg). Ladysmith's deep senior class also includes returning backups Manny Moore (5-10, 2.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Dane Prohaska (5-11, 2.0 ppg), Charlie Zimmer (6-4) and Mitchell Sprague (6-2). Replacing 1,000-point scorer Logan Alberson (6-3, 19.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg) is the biggest obstacle to overcome for the Lumberjacks.<br><br><strong>3. Cameron</strong> -- The defending league champions were hit hard by graduation as coach Troy LaVallie must replace two first-team all-league picks in Tyson Lucas (6-1, 19.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, now playing at ) and Brady Quinn (6-2, 13.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg). Lucas scored 1,560 points during his four-year prep career to become the school's all-time leading scorer while Quinn finished with 977 career points to rank 10th on the all-time list. The Comets will attempt to remain competitive behind the return of senior starters [player_tooltip player_id='2757762' first='Treye' last='Zimmerman'] (6-3, 7.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2515007' first='Carter' last='Cherney'] (6-4, 11.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg). Senior Bennett Moravitz (5-11, 2.8 ppg, 1.0 rpg) also returns.<br><br><strong>4. Cumberland</strong> -- The most dominant player in the league returns for Cumberland as 6-foot-10 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1853648' first='Gavin' last='Gores'] is back for his final year of prep basketball. Gores averaged robust numbers of 28.6 points and 13.1 rebounds as a junior as the Wyoming recruit helped the Beavers to a 14-12 record under coach Brian Dutton. In addition to the presence of the imposing Gores in the Cumberland lineup, Dutton also welcomes back regulars [player_tooltip player_id='2627948' first='Chayden' last='Berghammer'] (5-11, 10.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Uriah Johnson (6-0, 8.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Jack Richter (5-10, 6.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2407530' first='Troy' last='Majewski'] (5-10, 5.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg). Developing some depth will be paramount to the Beavers' success in 2024-25.<br><br><strong>5. Barron </strong>-- Barron could be one of the most improved teams in the Heart O'North as coach Nick Mauthe welcomes back a pair of all-league performers in second-team selection [player_tooltip player_id='2627945' first='Brett' last='McDonough'] (6-0, 13.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and honorable mention pick [player_tooltip player_id='2501112' first='Zac' last='Edwards'] (6-3, 12.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg). McDonough and Edwards helped the Bears to a 7-18 mark a year ago and have some talented teammates also back in senior Adam Wirth (6-4, 7.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg) along with juniors Shawn Holten (6-2, 4.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Glendon Thompson (6-3, 9.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg).<br><br><strong>6. Chetek-Weyerhaeuser </strong>-- A pair of double-figure scorers return for Chetek-Weyerhaeuser, which looks to better last year's 11-14 record under ninth-year head coach Hans Olson. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2627939' first='Bryce' last='Killoren'] (6-2, 12.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2627940' first='Brady' last='Lentz'] (5-11, 13.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg) provide the Bulldogs with a potent one-two scoring punch. Killoren and Lentz were joined in the starting rotation by senior Conner Hanson (6-2, 3.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2400904' first='Brodrick' last='Olson'] (5-8, 6.7 ppg) also figures to play a key role for the Bulldogs.<br><br><strong>7. Ashland</strong> -- The Oredockers have hovered between five and eight victories over the past few seasons. That trend might continue in 2024-25, although coach Allen Huber appears to have better depth than in the past as newcomers from 12-8 JV1 and 16-4 JV2 teams compete for playing time. Three seniors who started at times return, including top scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2627951' first='Haydin' last='LePlavy'] (6-0, 11.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg). LePlavy is the team leader for a program that also welcomes back seniors Michael Zunker (5-7, 7.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg) and Taylor Schoen (6-0, 0.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg); along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2417832' first='Gavin' last='Greene'] (6-3, 5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg).<br><br><strong>8. Spooner </strong>-- Lack of size is a big question mark for the Rails, who return four players with extensive experience in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2627959' first='Evan' last='Potaczek'] (5-8, 9.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2627961' first='Maverick' last='Swanson'] (6-1, 8.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Jake Hartwig (5-8, 6.0 ppg) along with sophomore Jaxson Fizel (5-9, 6.4 ppg). Outside of those players, coach Josh Fizel will have to get contributions from largely untested varsity players. Sophomores Ben Eichten (6-5) and Jack Sutton (6-2) could potentially help along the baseline for the Rails.<br><br><strong>9. St. Croix Falls -</strong>- The Saints hope to have a team capable of pulling some upsets in 2024-25, but it won't be easy as the Heart O'North is exceptionally deep and loaded with experienced teams. Coach Chad Hall does have some experience of his own back in returning regulars [player_tooltip player_id='2627957' first='Caden' last='Folkestad'] (6-3, 9.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Elliot Wilson (6-4, 7.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Carson Marks (5-7, 5.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.3 apg). <br><br><strong>10. Hayward</strong> -- First-year coach Curtis DeCora, who previously served as an assistant coach at Winter, has some experience and scoring punch back from last year's squad that finished 5-20. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2627953' first='Tyler' last='Eaton'] (5-11, 11.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2627955' first='Lucas' last='Hansen'] (6-1, 10.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) were regulars a year ago along with senior Dawson Jorczak (6-4, 5.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Winning games in a deep league with lots of returning players will be a challenge, but the Hurricanes could potentially move upward in the league standings if some young players come through with productive campaigns.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1853648' first='Gavin' last='Gores'], Cumberland (28.6 pgg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2432837' first='Boden' last='Teal'], Northwestern (16.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627945' first='Brett' last='McDonough'], Barron (13.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627940' first='Brady' last='Lentz'], Chetek-Weyerhaeuser (13.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2389718' first='Timmy' last='Meltz'], Ladysmith (13.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2501112' first='Zac' last='Edwards'], Barron (12.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627939' first='Bryce' last='Killoren'], Chetek-Weyerhaeuser (12.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2389855' first='Andrew' last='Lehman'], Ladysmith (11.8 ppg)<br>Braeden Little, Ladysmith (11.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627951' first='Haydin' last='LePlavy'], Ashland (11.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627953' first='Tyler' last='Eaton'], Hayward (11.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2515007' first='Carter' last='Cherney'], Cameron (11.0 ppg)<br>Dawson Jorczak, Hayward (10.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627948' first='Chayden' last='Berghammer'], Cumberland (10.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627959' first='Evan' last='Potaczek'], Spooner (9.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627957' first='Caden' last='Folkestad'], St. Croix Falls (9.5 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2515007' first='Carter' last='Cherney'], 6-4, Sr., Cameron<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627939' first='Bryce' last='Killoren'], 6-2, Sr., Chetek-Weyerhaeuser<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1853648' first='Gavin' last='Gores'], 6-10, Sr., Cumberland<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2389718' first='Timmy' last='Meltz'], 6-1, Sr., Ladysmith<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2432837' first='Boden' last='Teal'], 5-9, Sr., Northwestern<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627945' first='Brett' last='McDonough'], 6-0, Sr., Barron<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627940' first='Brady' last='Lentz'], 5-11, Sr., Chetek-Weyerhaeuser<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627948' first='Chayden' last='Berghammer'], 5-11, Sr., Cumberland<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627944' first='Austin' last='Lahti'], 6-4, Sr., Northwestern<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2389855' first='Andrew' last='Lehman'], 6-2, Sr., Ladysmith<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2627940' first='Brady' last='Lentz'], Chetek-Weyerhaeuser<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2389718' first='Timmy' last='Meltz'], Ladysmith<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853648' first='Gavin' last='Gores'], Cumberland<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1853648' first='Gavin' last='Gores'], Cumberland<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2432837' first='Boden' last='Teal'], Northwestern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->