"It feels like it's been forever."
 
That's the sentiment Northland College Men's Basketball Head Coach Scott Sorenson expressed when asked about the LumberJacks opening weekend slate of games this Saturday and Sunday. Nine months removed from a Covid-shortened season that saw Northland only able to compete in eight games, the Jacks are holding out high hopes for both the opportunity to play a full schedule of games and for a large jump in the amount of success.
 
"Two seasons ago, we saw the beginning of the cycle for our program," said Sorenson. "We had graduated more than a dozen guys over three seasons and we knew we were going to have to rely on young guys right away. We took our lumps, went through some growing pains, and were really looking forward to taking the next step in the process last year. Then Covid hit. Like everyone else, if threw a major monkey wrench into the plan. With us, however, it took an even greater toll as we didn't get a chance to move the young guys we had the year before to the next step towards success."
 
Despite the challenge of last season, optimism abounds for the Jacks this year. Fourteen of Northland's seventeen roster members are returners from last season, including five seniors. Even without a large degree of competitions last season, the Jacks deep amount of long-term experience should play well as they head into the season.
 
Shooting guard Diego Carter (5-11; SR; Kenosha, WI) is a 4-year member of the LumberJacks and heads up an extremely deep group of guards. The deep shooting specialist saw action in 22 games as a sophomore and started 5 of the 8 games the Jacks played last year. Hunter Moe (6-3; SR; Aitkin, MN) is another 4-year member of the Jacks and also brings a tremendous amount of experience having moved into a starting role just 5 games into his freshman year. The high I.Q. wing-forward provides the Jacks with the versatility to play multiple spots. Donovan Taylor (6-2; SR; St. Paul, MN) is the third 4-year senior for Northland. Another long-range shooter, Taylor's length should help him fill a needed role for the Jacks on the defensive end, as well as on the boards.
 
Point guard Ryan Rawlings (6-1; SR; Bowie, MD) and wing-guard Harley Shear (6-2; SR; Iowa City, IA) round out Northland's 5-member senior class. Rawlings, a third-year LumberJack coming off a season that found him battling several injuries, made an immediate impact when he broke into the rotation during his sophomore year. His impact included a buzzer-beating game winner vs. Martin Luther and a game sealing steal on the final defensive possession vs. North Central. One of the fastest members of the LumberJacks, Shear, also entering his third season, has led the Jacks in rebounding the last two seasons and will be looked to for his defensive acumen.
 
"This is one of the most enjoyable senior classes a coach can be around," stated Sorenson. "They've been through so much together, especially having been relied on as youngsters and then fighting their way through the Covid dominated season. There's a certain comfort in knowing that we have a strong group of experienced leaders that know how to do things the right way day-in and day-out. Diego and Hunter give us so much in terms of leadership on a day-to-day basis. I'm not sure I've ever been prouder of a person's growth, on and off the court, as I am with Donovan. Ryan and Harley bring such incredible skill sets that they'll be able to provide the physical talent that we'll need to get through the grind that is the UMAC season."
 
Following up the five seniors is a junior class that has also gathered a great deal of experience in their first two seasons. Shooting guard Jordan Brennan (6-1; JR; Ashland, WI) returns as the lone postseason award recipient for the Jacks as he was named UMAC All-Conference Honorable Mention last season. Brennan quickly became a staple for the Jacks on the floor having started 25 of 31 career games. Wing-forward George Butvilas (6-3; JR; Houghton, MI) has proven to be a tremendous asset for Northland over his first two seasons. Butvilas was lights out from deep last year shooting more the 50% from 3-point range, while using his strength to create scoring opportunities at the rim. Eli Nordine (5-8; JR; Bergland, MI) has found his role increasing over his first two years. The point guard will be looked upon to bring a steady hand to the Jacks.
 
"Jordan is obviously a tremendous talent," Sorenson said. "It feels like the ball is going in every time he takes a shot. I think the guys have the utmost faith in him. George has really translated his game to the college level. He's developed multiple ways to score…outside, inside and with the drive. He's so strong that it's just tough to stay with him. Eli has proven time and time again that he's invaluable to this team. He's put so much work into becoming a fantastic college player. I honestly can't wait to see him show what he can do to everyone."
 
After spending their freshman season facing down multiple challenges, such as quarantines and canceled games, Northland's six returning sophomores are clamoring to get an opportunity to execute a full season and game schedule. Wing-guard Drew Lindberg (6-4; SO; Marquette, MI) brings a shooter's mentality to go along with a defensive presence. Kade Panich (6-2; SO; Wautoma, WI) was thrust into action early at the point guard spot as a freshman due to injuries to others. Panich started 7 of 8 games last year, giving the Jacks a passer who thrives in the open court. Forward Kayden Palmi (6-10; SO; Duluth, MN) provides Northland with the size necessary on the interior to compete with the bigger teams during the non-conference and UMAC portions of the season.
 
"I'm really hoping for the sophomores to have a chance to experience what a real college season is like," Sorenson stated. "Drew's ceiling is sky-high. Injuries last season really hindered his chance to gain the experience we wanted for him, so this year we're looking for him to take a big step. Kade is as steady as they come. He was really thrown into a tough situation and I'm not sure any other freshman could've handled it better. His progress has been just awesome to see. Kayden absolutely put in the time over the offseason. He's determined to be a factor for our program going forward and I think the whole team is ready to see him do that."
 
Fellow forwards Blake Richard (6-4; SO; Park Falls, WI), Ben Smith (6-6; SO; Milltown, WI) and Tyler Tuura (6-6; SO; Oulu, WI) provide even more needed length and size for the Jacks. Richard saw his time on the floor increase as the season went on last year providing consistency in effort and execution on both ends of the floor. Smith started the final 3 games last season and will be looked upon to give the Jacks an inside scoring threat. Tuura, having battled injuries most of his freshman year, gives the Jacks a coast-to-coast athlete with the ability to change a possession on both ends.
 
"Our whole group of sophomores has just incredible potential," said Sorenson. "Blake is just so easy to coach. You say, he does. His work ethic every day drives the rest of his teammates to live up to his level. We knew when we recruited Ben that he had a high basketball IQ. We had no idea just how smart he is as a player. He never makes the same mistake twice and he's only getting better. Tyler might have the most potential of anyone I've ever coached. He's had a bad bit of luck from a physical standpoint, but once healthy, the tools are there to be a high impact player."
 
Joining the experienced group of LumberJacks are three newcomers who can each provide some needed attributes. Brent Brown (6-2; SO; St. Louis, MO) comes to Northland after spending two years at Southeast Missouri State. The wing-guard will be expected to provide versatility using his speed and athleticism to play multiple positions. Brown is joined by two freshmen in Simon Palmer (6-6; FR; West Branch, IA) and Kevon Powell (6-0; FR; Ashland, WI). Palmer, a long wing-forward with a deadly outside shot gives Northland some needed speed and length both outside and on the perimeter. Powell, a highly-touted local recruit, gives the Jacks an attacking guard who can get to the rim seemingly at will.
 
"All three of our incoming guys bring something unique to our squad," Sorenson said. "Brent not only has the physical tool to play multiple spots, his willingness to do whatever the team needs him to do makes him a valuable piece to our puzzle. Simon has been so impressive from the day he arrived. His length provides him the ability to finish over nearly anyone around the rim. That same length gives him a chance to get his shot off over most defenders as well. Kevon is just so sneaky quick. When he gets going, he can really fill it up quickly. These three guys are amazing fits for our family."
 
As the Jacks head into their opening weekend of games, they know that there's still a chance that there may be interruptions during the 2021-2022 season. However, they're looking forward to going full steam ahead into the next step in their "Process for Progress."
 
"Last year was absolutely a lesson in adversity," stated Sorenson. "We played multiple games only a day or two after getting out of quarantine. I was proud that we erred on the side of caution in those cases. After all, keeping our student-athletes safe has to be our primary goal. Beyond that, we also lost several guys to injuries. The guys know we were likely better than we showed, but it was hard to expect us to show it night in and night out with such little preparation. It was incredibly difficult to create consistency. But through it all, I am so proud of how we handled a truly unprecedented situation. We really believe that this year, the move to progress means the taking the next step in our process."
 
The LumberJacks open up the 2021-2022 season this weekend with road games at Carthage on Saturday at 3pm and at Carroll on Sunday at 3pm.

Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.