The Lakes Conference 15-20 years ago was such a wonderful place to be. Seasons where HWC, Emmetsburg, Sheldon, and Le Mars were all top 10 basketball teams battling each week... and now they're all gone. Makes me very sad.
I could see HWC wanting to be independent. But I do not know the rules about that. Can they be?
If HWC is unable to be independent.. I think they will ultimately end up in the Siouxland. It makes the most sense geographically and competitively. However, I don't think the Siouxland members will accept them in via vote - I think it will come down to the state having to get involved and force Siouxland to take HWC.
I do not think HWC wants to go to the War Eagle. Sure, getting rival Unity in the same conference would be good for them, but outside of that, HWC would just be so out of place in that conference and I don't think HWC wants to be there.
HWC could theoretically want to join the MRAC - but doubt this is on their mind, as this would worsen their travel issues, which are what they say is their main reason for leaving the Lakes.
So for HWC, it's independent (if allowed), Siouxland, or War Eagle. I know which I'd rather see.
Now, regarding the Lakes. I think that Spencer and Storm Lake will lobby HARD for other schools to join the Lakes instead of the school disbanding.
Spencer and Storm Lake are just simply too far from other 2A/3A/4A conferences. The MRAC to the west, NCC to the east, and the Raccoon River and Hawkeye 10 to the south just open up major travel issues. I just don't see them choosing to jump to one of those due to travel, nor do I see those conferences accepting them with the drive time associated with it. I also do not see Spencer and Storm Lake joining smaller conferences like Twin Lakes or War Eagle, etc. They would be huge fish in tiny ponds, and I don't see conference members from these approving them to join, so again - it could come down to the state if the Lakes would disband.
But I don't think the Lakes will disband. I think they will push hard to get schools to join for the reasons above. Look for them to reach out to Okoboji, Newell-Fonda, Alta-Aurelia, Humboldt, Pocahontas, and maybe Algona to try and fill vacancies. If they get desperate, they could ask smaller schools, too, like Sioux Rapids, HMS, HLP, SOB, etc.
Will be interesting to see what happens.