2023-24 Preview: Big Rivers
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Looking ahead to the 2023-24 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Big Rivers Conference… PROJECTED STANDINGS 1. Eau Claire Memorial 2. River Falls 3. Rice Lake 4. Hudson 5. Menomonie 6. Eau Claire North 7. Chippewa…
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Continue ReadingLooking ahead to the 2023-24 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Big Rivers Conference…
PROJECTED STANDINGS
1. Eau Claire Memorial
2. River Falls
3. Rice Lake
4. Hudson
5. Menomonie
6. Eau Claire North
7. Chippewa Falls
8. New Richmond
THE FAVORITE – Eau Claire Memorial
The Old Abes finished one game out of first place last season. While ECM loses leading scorer Mason Stoik, a pair of All-Conference caliber guards, Cooper Jesperson Cooper Jesperson 6'2" | SG Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 State WI (15.0 ppg) and Julius Clark Julius Clark 6'0" | SG Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 State WI (7.9 ppg), both juniors are back. Don’t sleep on junior Wesley Mboga Wesley Mboga 6'4" | SF Eau Clairie Memorial | 2025 State WI , a two-way, do-it-all wing that could be a huge x-factor for this group either.
DARK HORSE – River Falls
Based on depth, River Falls may end up being the team to beat. A little young last season, the Wildcats went 15-10 overall, including 8-6 in league play. Player of the Year candidate Joey Butz (15.6 ppg) is back as are juniors Preston Johnson Preston Johnson 6'2" | PG River Falls | 2025 State WI (11.1 ppg) and Eli Johnson Eli Johnson 6'6" | PF River Falls | 2025 State WI (8.9 ppg).
MOST IMPROVED – Eau Claire North
The Huskies finished last in the Big Rivers Conference in 2022-23, but could be in store for a bounce back. Leading scorer and reigning All-Conference forward Andrew Rocksvold Andrew Rocksvold 6'7" | SG Eau Claire North | 2024 State WI (13.8 ppg) should have a strong supporting cast this winter. Wouldn’t expect them losing 15 games by double digits again.
Highlights
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE
G Joey Butz – Sr. (River Falls)
G Preston Johnson Preston Johnson 6'2" | PG River Falls | 2025 State WI – Jr. (River Falls)
G Tyler Lessard Tyler Lessard 6'4" | SF Hudson | 2025 State WI – Jr. (Hudson)
G Cooper Jesperson Cooper Jesperson 6'2" | SG Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 State WI – Jr. (Eau Claire Memorial)
G Zack Orr Zack Orr 5'11" | CG Rice Lake | 2025 State WI – Sr. (Rice Lake)
F Eli Johnson Eli Johnson 6'6" | PF River Falls | 2025 State WI – Jr. (River Falls)
Second Team
G Ross Yaeger – Sr. (Hudson)
G Brody Thornton – Jr. (Menomonie)
G Julius Clark Julius Clark 6'0" | SG Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 State WI – Jr. (Eau Claire Memorial)
G Reis Hidde Reis Hidde 6'1" | SG New Richmond | 2024 WI – Sr. (New Richmond)
F Isaac Ellison Isaac Ellison 6'5" | PF Menomonie | 2025 WI – Jr. (Menomonie)
F Andrew Rocksvold Andrew Rocksvold 6'7" | SG Eau Claire North | 2024 State WI – Sr. (Eau Claire North)
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Cooper Jesperson Cooper Jesperson 6'2" | SG Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 State WI
As a sophomore, Jesperson posted 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game while playing next to one of the top seniors in the area. The Eau Claire Memorial sniper hit 74 triples last season while scoring 20 or more points in nine games.