The Heart O Lakes Preview

<p>The Heart O Lakes Conference is just a seven team league, but it’s a group of seven that has several good programs.  Here is the Heart O Lakes Preview. </p> <p><strong>Conference Commentary</strong></p> <p><strong>Top Ten Potential:  </strong>Perham</p> <p>Perham was the best team in the league and took a share of first place, in a somewhat down season record wise (they lost six games) even though they played for the section title.  We think Perham is back and ready to make another section and conference run.  [player_tooltip player_id="1288685" first="Micah" last="Thompson"] looks to be the second best player and prospect in the league. </p> <p><strong>Top Contenders: </strong>Barnesville, DGF</p> <p>The Trojans return all but two players from last year’s 12-9 team.  Their best player is gone but Kaden Zensen appears ready for the main role.   There is enough talent here to potentially win 20 games if they can overcome the lack of size.  Barnesville took two of three from DGF last year plus they return more players.  That said, DGF has their top two guys back plus they have the most dominant player in the league in [player_tooltip player_id="962228" first="Owen" last="Leach"]. </p> <p><strong>Compete with Most:  </strong>Frazee, Hawley</p> <p>I’m not totally sure if Frazee should be with this group, or the top contenders.  Based on their four league wins last year, this is where they belong.  BUT, [player_tooltip player_id="1284164" first="Justin" last="Courneya"] looks like he will be a star in this league soon and he’s one of two double figure scores back for the Hornets. Hawley was in last place last year and they had trouble scoring.  Overall this year they will likely be a .500 team but in this league taking a step is tough.  The Nuggets do return two of their best three players though. </p> <p><strong>Rebuilding: </strong>Breckenridge, Pelican Rapids</p> <p>We aren’t going to say the Breckenridge Cowboys will be a push over, but last year was almost entirely a senior rotation.  They are breaking in almost a whole new line-up.  I have a hard time believe that the veteran Pelican Rapids team of 20-21 (that had high expectations) and went just .500 will avoid a tough season.  The Vikings lost most of their line-up and have a lot of new faces just like Breckenridge (the Cowboys were three games better in the league though). </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>21-22 Conference Predictions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Perham</li> <li>Barnesville</li> <li>DGF</li> <li>Frazee</li> <li>Breckenridge</li> <li>Hawley</li> <li>Pelican Rapids</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason All Heart O Lakes Conference</strong></p> <p><strong><u>First Team</u></strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962228" first="Owen" last="Leach"] of DGF (jr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1288685" first="Micah" last="Thompson"] of Perham (jr)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958828" first="Kaden" last="Zenzen"] of Barnesville (sr)</p> <p>Soren Anderson of Perham (jr)</p> <p>Logan Bitker of DGF (sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Second Team</u></strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1284164" first="Justin" last="Courneya"] of Frazee (soph)</p> <p>Chas Melvin of Perham (sr)</p> <p>Hayden Grani of Hawley (sr)</p> <p>Jack Nielsen of Barnesville (sr)</p> <p>George Flynn of Frazee (sr)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Third Team</u></strong></p> <p>Noah Krause of Barnesville (sr)</p> <p>Drew Sheeley of DGF (jr)</p> <p>Brady Gratton of Hawley (sr)</p> <p>Tate Inniger of Barnesville (jr)</p> <p>Tanner Tollerud Pelican Rapids (jr)</p> <p>Nathan Johansnsen of Frazee (sr)</p>