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2022-23 Recap

Hurley (18-7 overall) and South Shore (24-3) finished as Indianhead Co-Champions, each team posting a 14-2 record. Solon Springs (18-9) took third in the conference, going 12-4, and was followed by Mellen (16-10, 10-6) and Drummond (16-8, 10-6). Mercer (9-16), Butternut (10-15), and Washburn (7-15) each went 4-12 in the league while Lac Courte Oreilles (0-22) went winless on the season. Bayfield did not field a varsity program. 

In the WIAA Playoffs, South Shore made the deepest run. The Cardinals reached a Division 5 sectional semifinal, dropping a 70-48 contest against Siren. Hurley was eliminated by Siren, 56-53, in a Division 5 regional final. Solon Springs also reached a D5 regional final, dropping a 66-62 game versus league foe South Shore. 

2022-23 Season Information (Standings, Stats, and All-Conference)

2023-24 Conference Preview 

Note: The conference changed its name to the Northern Lights. 

Predicted Order of Finish: 
1) South Shore 
2) Drummond
3) Hurley 
4) Butternut
5) Solon Springs
6) Mellen 
7) Washburn 
8) Mercer 
9) Lac Courte Oreilles
10) Bayfield 

Players to Watch: 

Jaana Aukee, sr., Hurley – Aukee, a 5-6 guard, moves into a featured role for the NorthStars. Through four games, she is averaging 21 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 3.0 steals per contest. 

Kyla Hanson, jr., Drummond – Hanson was named third-team all-conference as a sophomore for the Lumberjills. 

Jenny Klopatek, jr., Mercer – Klopatek, a 5-4 guard, is averaging 9.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals through four games this season. 

Brandee Madison, jr., South Shore – Madison, a 5-7 guard, jumped right into an impact role for the Cardinals. She is averaging 15.4 points, 2.8 assists, and 5.2 steals per game for the Cardinals through five games this season. 

Emily Montgomery, sr., South Shore – Montgomery, a 5-10 wing/forward, was voted first-team all-conference as a junior for the Cardinals. She averaged 20 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 3.0 steals per contest last season. Emily also connected on 61 three-pointers. She is averaging 26.4 points and 4.8 steals per game through five games this season. 

Kylie Mueller, sr., South Shore – Mueller, 5-7 guard, earned third-team all-Indianhead as a junior. She tallied 10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 4.1 steals per game last season. Through five games this season, Mueller is averaging 10.4 points and 5.2 steals per contest.  

Jersey Polencheck, sr., Butternut – Polencheck was voted second-team all-Indianhead as a junior, averaging 19 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 4.3 steals per contest. She also made 37 three-pointers last season. This season, Polencheck is averaging 28.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 4.5 steals per game through five games. 

Ella Postl, jr., Solon Springs – Postl took on a leading role this season. She is averaging 18.7 points per game through three games played. 

Sydney Saari, sr., Hurley – Saari, 5-11 forward, moves into a more prominent role this season. She is averaging 9.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.8 steals per contest through four games. 

Nora Skoraczewski, sr., Drummond – Skoraczewski, a 5-10 forward, is a key player in the front court for the Lumberjills. 

2023-24 Team Previews 

1. South Shore is the team to beat in the Northern Lights (formerly Indianhead). The Cardinals welcomed back three starters from last season’s team that captured a share of the conference title and advanced to a Division 5 sectional semifinal, ending the year with a 24-3 record. Ryan Tiberg, 257-71 in 13 years as a head coach, has compiled a 208-48 record in 10 years as the Cardinals’ leader which includes guiding them to a state tournament appearance in 2015. Coach Tiberg told WisSports.net that shooting, ball-handling, and defense are strengths while rebounding, fouling, and passing are weaknesses. Headlining the roster for the Cardinals is senior Emily Montgomery, who was third in the conference with 20 points per game last season. Joining her as a top returnee is senior Kiley Mueller, netting 10 points per game last season, while fellow senior Paige Lahti also returned as a starter. Others who will contribute include juniors Brandee Madison and Rosa Lund. South Shore is 5-0 in the early season, earning Northern Lights wins over Mellen (71-35), Mercer (52-25), and Solon Springs (67-48). 

Returning Starters: Emily Montgomery (5-10, sr., 20 ppg, 61 3PM, 5.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 3 spg), Kiley Mueller (5-7, sr., 10.1 ppg, 2.4 apg, 4.1 spg), Paige Lahti (5-7, sr., 2 apg)
Other Returning Players: Faith Langley (5-7, sr.), Gracelyn Lovejoy (5-7, jr.), Azure Grant (5-7, jr.), McKenna Coy (5-9, jr.), Addy LaFontaine (5-7, soph.)
Notable Newcomers: Brandee Madison (5-7, jr.), Rosa Lund (5-8 

2. Drummond will look to compete for the Northern Lights championship. The Lumberjills’ top returnee is junior Kyla Hanson, while other notable returning players include Ella Wald (jr.) and Nora Skoraczewski. Drummond (4-2) topped defending league champion Hurley, 46-39, in their first meeting. The Lumberjills also beat Lac Courte Oreilles (42-19) and Mellen (42-24) in league play. Their first contest against South Shore isn’t until February. 

Returning Players: Kyla Hanson (5-5, jr.), Ela Wald (jr.), Nora Skoraczewski (5-10, sr.), Autumn Rikkola (jr.), Madison Shanks (soph.) 

3. Hurley has claimed at least a share of the last four Indianhead championships. The NorthStars will need to fill the void left with the graduation of their top two scorers from its 2022-23 team that went 14-2 in the league and 18-7 overall. Jay Aijala, 40-12 in two years at the helm, told WSN their strength is returning starters who have been on varsity since freshman year. Senior Jaana Aukee takes on a leading role this season for the NorthStars. Others who will take on expanded roles this season include senior Sydney Saari and sophomore Olivia DiGiorgio. Hurley is 2-2 so far this season, posting Northern Lights wins over Butternut (44-40) and Bayfield (69-8) while dropping a contest against Drummond (46-39). 

Returning Starters: Jaana Aukee (5-6, sr., 8 ppg, 2.8 apg), Sydney Saari (5-11, sr., 5 ppg), Kamryn Swartz (5-5, sr.)
Other Returning Players: Olivia DiGiorgio (5-6, soph.)
Newcomers: Nicole Formici (5-5, sr.), Andi Krall (5-7, jr.), Addison Eder (5-6, soph.), Natalie Cane (5-11, soph.), Maddee Hewitt (5-6, frosh.), Lily Youngs (5-5, frosh.) 

4. Butternut returned its top two scorers from last year’s team that went 4-12 in the conference and 10-15 overall. Fifth-year head coach Troy Scherwinski told WSN that depth is a strength while height/length is a weakness. Senior guard Jersey Polencheck, who was fourth in the Indianhead in scoring (19 ppg) last season, headlines the group of returnees for the Midgets. Joining Polencheck as a returning starter is junior Kendra Pritzl. 

Returning Starters: Jersey Polencheck (sr., 19 ppg, 37 3PM, 7.3 rpg, 4.2 apg, 4.3 spg), Kendra Pritzl (jr., 6.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg) 
Other Returning Players: Kaycie Scherwinski (sr.), Ivy Popowski (sr.), Lauren Sales (sr.), Isabelle Przybylski (jr.), Caitlynn Bebeau (soph.), Lydia Wartgow (soph.) 
Newcomers: Lizzie Pritzl (frosh.) 

5. Solon Springs graduated its starting five from last season’s team that finished third (12-4) in the Indianhead (now Northern Lights) and 18-9 overall. Third-year head coach Sarah Smith told WisSports.net that they are building a program around a core group of underclassmen who all have varsity experience. Junior Ella Postl leads the group of returnees for the Eagles. 

Returning Starters: None 
Other Returning Players: Ella Postl (jr., 6 ppg), Paetyn Simenson (jr.), Hannah Polkoski (jr.), Lydia Polkoski (jr.) 
Newcomers: Kendall Nelson (soph.), Madison Jacobs (frosh.)

6. Mellen has a revamped starting five after the graduation of four starters from its squad that finished 10-6 in the conference and 16-10 overall. Steve Eder, who entered the year with a 47-26 record in three years as a head coach, told WSN they are a young team, needing to replace 80 percent of their scoring from last season. “Our toughness and quickness will be our biggest assets.” The Granite Diggers will build around junior Ellie Peters, their lone returning starter. 

Returning Starters: Ellie Peters (jr., 6.2 ppg) 
Other Returning Players: Blair Koosman (jr.), Nylia Wiley (soph.), Jordyn Majeski (sr.), Blair Koosman (jr.), Nylia Wiley (soph.)
Newcomers: Bella Mesko Jokinen (frosh.), Kaylee Erickson (frosh.), Amaya Haderly (frosh.), Makaiya Striker (frosh.) 

7. Washburn brought back four of its top six scorers from last year’s team that went 4-12 in the league and 7-15 overall. The Castle Guards’ top returning players are junior Maddie Ludwig and senior Anna Ledin. 

Top Returning Players: Maddie Ludwig (5-4, jr., 9.9 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.9 spg), Anna Ledin (5-3, sr., 8.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.6 apg), Amelia Croteau (5-1, jr.), Cassie Claremboux (5-5, jr.) 

8. Mercer returned two starters from last year’s team that went 4-12 in the conference and 9-16 overall. First-year head coach Becky Bettin told WSN they have a few girls with excellent basketball knowledge who like to play fast. “Our weakness is the lack of players coming off the bench.” 

Returning Starters: Jenny Klopatek (5-4, jr.), Eiley Schoeneman (5-11, jr.)
Other Returning Players: Ava Milashus (5-1, soph.), Amber Duensing (5-3, sr.) 
Newcomers: Ona Ruiz (5-7, jr.), Kaylee Powers (5-4, frosh.), Anya Brandenburg (5-5, soph.), Rylinn Rossi (jr.), 

9. Lac Courte Oreilles went 0-22 in 2022-23. Senior Amari Bildeau is the Eagles’ top returnee. 

10. Bayfield did not field a varsity program last season. 

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