Heart O'North Conference Preview - Boys Basketball

Below is a boys basketball conference preview. Included in each preview is the previous year standings, review, returning all-conference players, projected standings with writeup, a sleeper team, top players to watch, conference break out candidates.

Northwestern and Saint Croix Falls pulled away from the rest of the league and shared the conference crown a season ago, each going 15-3. Come playoff time however, the league as a whole struggled. The ten teams combined to go just 1-5 against teams not in the Heart O’North in the playoffs and no team advanced beyond the regionals. A few coaches hit milestones as Nolan Graff of Northwestern surpassed 150 wins, and Troy LaVallie of Cameron won game number 300.

Head Coach: Nolan Graff - 9th year (156 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Ethan Harms, Noah Bourque, Caleb Fouts, Thomas Altman, Finley Nelson, Cavin Thompson, Henry Nielcen, Aiden Hall
Returners: Kam Kroll, 6-3, sr; Tysen Teal, 5-11, sr; Seth Fouts, 6-3, sr; Dominic Debeir, sr; Damien Fouts, 6-3, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Porter Goette, 6-5, jr; Camden Teal, 5-10, soph; Silas Rahman, 6-2, soph; Louis Johnson, 5-8, frosh; Jorde Glonek, 5-10, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Louis Johnson

Outlook: Northwestern is seeking its third straight conference title and Nolan Graff has a pair of elite scorers at the top of his roster to make them the preseason favorite. Kam Kroll and Tysen Teal can flat out score the ball and both will finish with over 1,000 career points. There is going to be turnover on the roster though as eight contributors from a season ago are now graduated. Coach Graff will look to a mix of experienced players back and a new crop of varsity players to fill those roles. Seth and Damien Fouts provide the Tigers with size, as does Porter Goette. Camden Teal and Louis Johnson are a pair of underclassmen that could step into major roles on the varsity team right away in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Al Huber - 6th year (36 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Aiden Jolman, Jayden Popovich, Kaden Lauren
Returners: Gavin Greene, 6-5, sr; Kourage Lauren, 6-2, sr; Jaryn Popovich, 6-2, jr; John Sundberg, 5-10, jr; Everett Dugger, sr; Carson Korpela, 5-8, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Camden Jolma, soph; Nolan Hecimovich
Breakout Candidate: Jardyn Popovich

Outlook: Ashland went .500 in the conference a season ago but unlike many in the conference, a lot of production is back for head coach Al Huber. Headlining that group is senior forward Gavin Green who is one of the best all-around players in the conference. Kourage Lauren and Jaryn Popovich both were double digit scorers a season ago for the Oredockers as well. Scoring the ball will be something this group has done in the past and will be a strength in 2026-27. Depth is another listed strength for this Ashland team going into the season, with overall size a concern.

Head Coach: Troy LaVallie - 18th year (311 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Brady Gronski, Scott Butterfield, Jackson Griffin, Michael Gronski, Jayton Silvernail, Myles Grassmann
Returners: AJ Guerra, 6-0, sr; Dillon Jorgenson, 6-2, soph;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Austin Butterfield, 6-2, soph; Channing Erickson, 6-1, sr; Colten Carr, 6-1, jr; Keaton Pierce, 5-8, jr
Breakout Candidate: Dillon Jorgenson

Outlook: Cameron finished fifth in the league a season ago, but return two starters from that group and a few sophomores that saw significant playing time as freshman. AJ Guerra steps into the senior leadership role for head coach Troy LaVallie who surpassed 300 career wins a season ago. Dillon Jorgenson started as a freshman and was an instant impact player as was Austin Butterfield. Depth will be something the Comets need to build throughout the year to be competitive for a conference crown come February. Channing Erickson, Colten Carr, and Keaton Pierce are three players who could slot into the open starting spots in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Matt Albrecht - 1st year (38 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Lucas Hansen, Ryker Chipman, Preston Sullivan, Adal Amparo (transfer), Mckayl Taylor, Kaden Knight
Returners: Caleb Springer, 6-3, sr; Kingston Frey, 6-3, sr; Simon Hansen, 6-3, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Mikey Quaderer, 5-9, jr; Carter Lohman, Dylan Lobitz, 6-4, sr
Breakout Candidate: Kingston Frey

Outlook: Hayward welcomes in new head coach Matt Albrecht to a group that came two wins shy of a share of the conference crown. One of the top players in the conference is back to lead the Hurricanes in 2026-27 in Caleb Springer. Kingston Frey and Simon Hansen are good-sized wings that are back and provide experience beyond Springer. Tempo and the pushing the ball in transition has been a strength of this team the past few years and Coach Albrecht believes it will be yet again in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Shaun Fischer - 18th year (276 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Beckett Schmidt, Kasyn Fisher, Izaac Williams, Isaiah Fugate, Marcus Rankin, Brian Bantz
Returners: Henry Christensen, 6-0, jr; Trapper Schleusner, 6-2, jr; Bryson Mckenzie, 6-2, jr; Boe Carlson, 5-10, jr; Dawson Hetrick, 6-0, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Donavin Prouix, 6-4, sr; Jorrell Burnett, 5-11, sr; Jacob Vadner, jr; William Olson, 6-1, jr; Kolston Fisher, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Henry Christensen

Outlook: Unity has a lot to replace in terms of production as the top five scorers and all five starters are gone to graduation. A good group of sophomores saw a lot of action last year and now juniors, will be one step more ready for varsity action. Henry Christensen, Trapper Schleusner, and Bryson Mckenzie are the three with the most experience but Boe Carlson and Dawson Hetrick did see action in ten varsity contests a season ago. Finding consistency on the offensive side will be a stress for head coach Shaun Fischer early on this year.

Head Coach: Chad Hall - 16th year (173 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Elliot Wilson, Carson marks, Justin Wynne, Jared DeSmith, Trysten Hanson, Brodie Allram
Returners: Brett Sladky, 6-2, sr; Isaac Tate, 5-9, sr; Henry Schmidt, 5-10, jr; Daniel Hanson, 5-8, sr; Logan Christensen, 6-0, jr; Tyler Anderson, 5-10, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Eli Malm, soph; Cameron Kemp, soph
Breakout Candidate: Brett Sladky

Outlook: Like many in the conference, Chad Hall has a lot of production to fill from last year’s team, as graduation h it the Saints hard. Four starters are gone as are a few other contributors. Bret Sladky is the lone returning starter and is a good one at that. Isaac Tate, Henry Schmidt and a handful of others saw limited varsity action but will be looked upon to step into bigger roles. Sophomore Eli Malm and Cameron Kemp could vie for those spots as well and push for minutes throughout the season. That lack of experience and size are concerns, whereas team defense and effort are strengths.

Head Coach: Ryan Zemke - 2nd year (4 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Troy Majewski, Calvin Cunningham, Carson Catlin, Edwing Martinez
Returners: Max Odden, sr; Parker Peterson, sr; Alex LeBlanc, jr; Mason Capra, sr; Andrea Santangelo, sr; John Richter, jr; Rhowan Ruppel, jr; Oziah Thompson, jr; Bennett Majewski, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Alex LeBlanc

Outlook: Cumberland struggled to four wins a season ago, all coming within league play. Ryan Zemke enters year two at the helm with the Beavers but does have back three starters from a year ago, a luxury not many in the conference do. Max Odden, Parker Peterson, and Alex LeBlanc all were regular starters a season ago. Mason Capra started a handful of games as well, while Andrea Santangelo and John Richter were rotational pieces.

Head Coach: Eric Holten - 2nd year (8 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Zachary Edwards, Glendon Thompson, Shawn Holten, Bryce Kittelson, Devon Kerkhoff
Returners: Ozker Kunkel, 5-7, sr; Brady Greener, 6-1, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Eliott Voigtlander, 5-9, sr; Wyatt Voigtlander, 6-0, soph; Chris Baumgard, 5-10, jr; Musab Olle
Breakout Candidate: Brady Greener

Outlook: A consistent theme here, but Barron has two 17+ point per game scorers to replace from last year and all five starters. Head coach Eric Holten is excited about the opportunities ahead for the inexperienced and young team that will see the floor in 2026-27. Ozker Kunkel and Brady Greener are the lone players who saw action in double-digit varsity contests. Scoring the ball is something that will be a question mark early on as no player back averaged over two points per game.

Head Coach: Sam Smith - 2nd year (1 career win)
Lost Contributors: Joey Romportl, Shamari Fahle, Ethan Hedinger
Returners: Noah Smith, 6-3, sr; Benjamin Eichten, 6-6, sr; Cameron Rich, 5-10, sr; Jack Sutton, 6-1, sr; Clayton Yakes, 5-9, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Benjamin Eichten

Outlook: Spooner was young a season ago and struggled to find success, winning just one game. Sam Smith enters year two with the Rails and has a big-man duo in Noah Smith and Benjamin Eichten to man the inside. Cameron Rich started every game a season ago as did Jack Sutton. A good mix of freshmen could push for playing time. I’d imagine this Spooner team to be improved from a season ago.

Head Coach: Ahmed Yaseen - 2nd year (6 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Axle Smith, Cole Strop, Ashton Clark, Jasper Kempen, Luke Baker
Returners: Daniel Vacho, 6-0, sr; Cash La Brie, 5-11, jr; Camdyn Voight, 5-11, sr; Noah Moser, 5-10, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Daniel Vacho

Outlook: Ladysmith will also be in year two of its head coach, as Ahmed Yaseen is back for the Lumberjacks. Daniel Vacho and Cash La Brie return as starters and the only two who played in over 10 games for the Lumberjacks a season ago. Camdyn Voight, Noah Moser, and Owen Hause are a trio of returnees that saw limited action that will be looked upon to step into bigger roles in 2026-27.

Saint Croix Falls is my pick as a sleeper team in the Heart O’North. In a league where almost everyone lost a majority of their production, any team can fit this category. Chad Hall has been at it for a while with the Saints and is well-equipped to get the best out of his roster.

Kingston Frey, jr, Hayward
Frey will get a bigger opportunity to show his scoring ability this upcoming year after the graduation of three double-digit scorers. He excels in transition and the open court. As a junior Frey averaged 9,4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Gavin Greene, sr, Ashland
Greene is a talented wing that is one of the top returning players in the conference. As a junior he averaged 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game and was a second team all-league selection. Greene has turned a strong club season into receiving an offer from Division III UW-Superior.

AJ Guerra, sr, Cameron
Guerra averaged 11.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, which was second on the team in terms of scoring a season ago. He did a lot of damage from deep, burying 58 triples at a 36.2% clip.

Dillon Jorgenson, soph, Cameron
Jorgenson was one of the top freshman on the western side of the state in terms of production a season ago. He averaged 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game and earned honorable mention All-Heart O’North honors.

Kam Kroll, sr, Northwestern
Kroll comes into his senior year needing a little over 300 points to become the program’s all-time leading scorer. As a junior he averaged 20.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, earning first team all-league honors. Earlier this week, the 6-3 guard committed to NCAA Division 3 St. Mary’s out of Minnesota.

Kourage Lauren, sr, Ashland
Lauren averaged 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a junior a season ago. He was second on the team in that category and provides a solid second scoring option for the Ashland Oredockers.

Max Odden, sr, Cumberland
Odden nearly averaged a double-double a season ago, tallying 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The 6-3 forward controls the boards and does a majority of damage in and around the paint.

Jaryn Popovich, jr, Ashland
Popovich was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a sophomore after he averaged 10.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. The 6-2 guard is lights out from deep as he made 61 of 113 three-point attempts a season ago, good enough for a 54% clip.

Brett Sladky, sr, Saint Croix Falls
Sladky is the lone retuning starter for a Saints team that will be looking to retool. One of just seven returning all-league players, he averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game en route to second team honors.

Noah Smith, sr, Spooner
Smith controlled the inside for the Rails a season ago, averaging 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He and teammate Benjamin Eichten will need to control the paint once again in 2026-27 for the Rails to build upon last year.

Caleb Springer, sr, Hayward
Springer is one of the better all-around players in the conference and is back to lead the Hurricanes this year. As a junior he averaged 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game and was named to the Heart O’North first team all-conference team.

Tysen Teal, sr, Northwestern
Teal is as equally impressive with the basketball in his hand as he is on the football field. He’s committed to Dordt to play football next season. As a junior hooper, he averaged 14.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game and was a second team all-league honoree.