Lakeland Union and Tomahawk high schools have turned down a proposal to merge with the Rhinelander/Antigo girls' hockey co-op for the 2018-2019 season.

Rhinelander/Antigo is fearful of having enough kids to fill out a roster next season, while Lakeland/Mercer/Tomahawk is comfortable with the numbers projected next winter.

Lakeland activities director Don Scharbarth stated multiple reasons for turning down the Northern Edge's proposal, including playing time for Lakeland girls, but he did not rule out a potential co-op in the future because numbers are projected to be scarce following next season with the large class of 2019 graduating.

"We have more than enough girls right now and we don't want to get to the point where we bring 10 more girls over here and now Lakeland girls are sitting on the bench because we have a team of 20-24 kids," Scharbarth said.