WALKER, Minn.– The Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves are coming off an impressive 20-win season last year. After losing nine players to graduation who averaged 78 points scored per game from a season ago, the Wolves look to rebuild throughout the season.

Head coach Jeremy Medina has three years of experience on the WHA sideline but it is his 21st season in the Wolves program. As head coach, Medina owned a 34-21 record coming into the new campaign.

Nine seniors will look to lead the Wolves throughout the season. Among those seniors are three returning letter winners Hayden Rettke, Brad Hasse, and John Henning. Other seniors expected to see the floor this season for WHA include Maverick Reed, Cole Rutten, Justin Honer, Karch Frazier, TJ Orton, and Sam Pfieffer. Underclassmen include Ethan Whitaker (Junior), Tony Fairbanks (Junior), Gavin Gillman (Sophomore), Brody Kurtz- (Freshman) and Luke Tande (Sophomore).

Medina says their biggest strength this season includes their strong group of athletes who can play defensively in the full court all game long. It will be key to their success this season by pressuring teams on both sides of the floor. Giving themselves extra possessions from their defense and limiting turnovers offensively can make the Wolves the best versions of themselves in the 2025-26 season.

It expects to be another competitive season in the Northland Conference. Medina knows teams like Nevis and Cass Lake-Bena will likely be in the conversation for the conference title. The Wolves will look to improve each and every game to climb up the conference standings.

Looking at Section 5A play, it’s going to be a fight with Braham, Upsala, Nevis, Cass Lake-Bena, and East Central all in the section mix. WHA will have 12 total section games to prove where they stack up in the 5A race.

The Wolves have are currently 0-5 in the young season. Their next game is against Braham on Friday and East Central on Saturday with both games being played in Nevis.