Northland Sports Boys Basketball Preview

November 19th, 2015

Tyler Peterson-NSO

Its almost tip-off time in the Northland, with teams opening games right around the corner! NSO will preview what is in store for another great season of boys basketball!

In Section 7A, the two time defending section champions, the Fond du Lac Ogichida, will look to make it three consecutive state appearances. The Ogichida will be without one of their key pieces, Jordan Diver, who is playing his senior year at Cloquet. They will have four seniors and four juniors leading the way this season. The Ogichida will tip their season off on November 20th when they take on St. Cloud Apollo at Cloquet high school. Tip-off will be at 7:30pm.

Also in Section 7A, the section runners-up, the Floodwood Polar Bears, will look to return to the section finals game. They will return seven seniors from last years team, so they will head into the season with a lot of experience. They start their season on November 24th when they travel to take on Cherry, tipping off at 7:15pm.

Another 7A team to be on the lookout for is the Carlton Bulldogs. With new head coach, Jeswa Harris, the Bulldogs will look to make a run this season. Powered behind a junior class of seven, the Bulldogs will come in young, and with varsity experience. The Bulldogs will look to win their opener, when they host their cross town rivals, the Wrenshall Wrens on November 23rd, tipping at 7:15pm.

Lastly, in 7A, the experienced South Ridge Panthers, who have a new head coach in Nathan Shulstad. The Panthers come into the season with seven seniors and they will look to take advantage of their experience. The Panthers will open up their season on December 4th against Nashwauk-Keewatin. The location is yet to be announced.

In 7AA, the two time defending section champions, the Esko Eskomos, will look to repeat what they did last season. Ranked 7th in the state and with a veteran team of three seniors, four juniors, and four sophomores, the Eskomos will look to start their season off with a win, squaring off with Pequot Lakes on the road on November 20th. The game will tip at 7:15.

Also in 7AA, is the section runners-up, the Barnum Bombers. The Bombers will open their season up on November 24th when they take on Hinckley-Finlayson at home. They will tip their season off at 7:15pm.

Lastly, in 7AA, the MLWR Rebels will look to come out strong. Led by five seniors and three juniors, the Rebels will search for a season opening win when they travel to take on Aitkin on November 20th. The game will tip off at 7:30pm.

In 7AAA, the defending champion, Hermantown Hawks, will look to defend that title another year. The Hawks, who are ranked 8th in the state, will have a veteran team, returning eleven seniors this season. They open up their season on November 27th when they battle Bloomington Jefferson. No location or time has been determined.

Also in 7AAA, the Cloquet Lumberjacks, will look to return back to the state tournament after losing in the semifinals last season. The Lumberjacks will have just four seniors on the roster and four juniors. They open their season up on November 20th when they host St. Cloud Apollo, tipping off at 7:30pm.

In 7AAAA, the Duluth East Greyhounds will look to make a deep run in the playoffs. Led by three seniors and six juniors, the Greyhounds will open up the 2015-16 season on November 24th, when they travel to play the Proctor Rails at 7:15pm.

Northland Sports will continue to cover the local teams this season. We’d like to wish all the area teams good luck in their 2015-16 season.

Tyler Peterson can be contacted at tpeterson@northlandsportsonline.com