Big Rivers Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Eau Claire Memorial 12-2 (18-7); 2. Hudson 11-3 (16-9); 3. River Falls 9-5 (20-8); 4. New Richmond 8-6 (18-8); 5. Eau Claire North 7-7 (12-13); 6. Rice Lake 6-8 (15-11); 7. Menominee 3-11 (8-18); 8. Chippewa Falls 0-14 (4-22).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Eau Claire Memorial</strong> -- Winners of two of the past three league championships, the Old Abes go after back-to-back league titles with a veteran lineup loaded with talent and skill. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1481178' first='Cooper' last='Jesperson'] (6-3, 20.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2022565' first='Wesley' last='Mboga'] (6-4, 13.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1962213' first='Julius' last='Clark'] (6-0, 13.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2677211' first='Bryce' last='Hedtke'] (6-2, 7.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg) all started on last year's squad that went 18-7 and form a rock-solid nucleus for coach Chad Brieske. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2499886' first='Ian' last='Bauer'] (6-2, 6.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and senior Brodee Neff (5-11, 2.2 ppg) also figure to play important roles for the Old Abes. The competitive fire, cohesion and overall talent in the Eau Claire Memorial is exceptional. This is a team that could make noise not only within the Big Rivers, but also on a state level. <br><br><strong>2. Hudson</strong> -- Brent Larson has proven to be one of the better young coaches in the state and he figures to have Hudson positioned for another run at a league crown after winning the Big Rivers two years ago and finishing second last winter. A strong senior class, led by returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='1544741' first='Tyler' last='Lessard'] (6-3, 13.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2620374' first='Sam' last='Swavely'] (6-0, 10.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), leads the way for the Raiders. Like most of the other teams in the league, lack of size is a concern, but depth and defense are definite assets. Look for sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2416653' first='Alex' last='Healy'] (6-0) and seniors Oscar Grothaus (6-1, 4.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Aiden Jamieson (5-11, 3.9 ppg) to contend for starting roles.<br><br><strong>3. River Falls </strong>-- Losing coach Zac Campbell during the off season was a big blow for the Wildcats. In 11 years as head coach at the school, Campbell led the program to 182 victories. Former assistant Zach Turpin takes over and has three returning players with extensive experience in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1417497' first='Preston' last='Johnson'] (6-1, 10.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2415504' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] (6-6, 8.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2410538' first='Brody' last='Graetz'] (6-0, 5.2 ppg). [player_tooltip player_id='1417497' first='Preston' last='Johnson'] is a four-year varsity performer and one of the better lead guards in the league. He has committed to Minnesota State Moorhead for football. [player_tooltip player_id='2415504' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] is the strongest interior player in the league, although he can also score from the perimeter. Johnson has committed to play college football at Iowa. Finding the right pieces to surround the two Johnsons (no relation) and Graetz will be the biggest hurdle to overcome in Turpin's first year a head coach.<br><br><strong>4. New Richmond</strong> -- The balance, experience and depth in the New Richmond program are all high, making coach Ryan Leis' squad one to contend with during the 2024-25 season. Five players who earned spots in the starting rotation at times on last year's 18-8 team return. Indeed, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2610580' first='Jack' last='Charbonneau'] (6-4, 11.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg). Abe Monson (5-10, 4 ppg, 2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2390415' first='Connor' last='Raleigh'] (5-10, 8 ppg) and RJ Amundson (6-0, 6 ppg, 4 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2501099' first='Nick' last='Stellrecht'] (6-4, 8 ppg, 5.6 rpg) give the Tigers a solid base. New Richmond might take a few losses competing in such a rigorous conference, but by the time the playoffs roll around, the Tigers could be a real force in Division 2. <br><br><strong>5. Rice Lake</strong> --Yet another team in the Big Rivers with stellar guard play and strong depth, but also a lack of size, Rice Lake has the experience and talent to beat almost every other team in the league. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2432854' first='Zach' last='Orr'] (5-11, 19 ppg, 4 rpg), the son of head coach Kevin Orr, is a dynamo point guard who can score, push the ball in transition, defend and make big shots. While Orr is the top player back at Rice Lake, three others also started a year ago on a team that went 15-11. They include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2440971' first='Evan' last='Strand'] (6-3, 8 ppg, 6 rpg) and Conner Durand (5-11, 4 ppg, 6 rpg) along with junior Will Johnson (6-3, 6 ppg, 8 rpg). If Rice Lake can figure out how to hold its own on the glass, the Warriors could move up a couple of notches in the final Big Rivers standings.<br><br><strong>6. Menomonie</strong> -- The Mustangs could be a surprise team in the Big Rivers if a few of the talented young players in the program make a quick transition to varsity basketball. Greg Van Grunsven takes over the head-coaching duties after spending the past several seasons as the coach at Bloomer, and he has three starters back in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2021394' first='Isaac' last='Ellison'] (6-4, 18.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2620378' first='Brody' last='Thornton'] (6-4, 12.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Brady Johnson (5-11, 5.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg). Van Grunsven also has one of the better sophomores in the conference in 6-foot-6 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'] (2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg). Guard play is a concern, but Menomonie has the length, athleticism and size to make things tough on opponents near the basket. <br><br><strong>7. Eau Claire North</strong> -- Eau Claire North has a new coach in Logan Horn, and a few holes to replace in its lineup as top scorer Andrew Rocksvold (6-7, 17.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, now playing at Eau Claire) and wing TJ Johnson 96-3, 2.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg) have graduated. The Huskies' backcourt trio of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2610572' first='Elliott' last='Bessen'] (6-1, 13.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Aaron Gust (6-1, 6.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2499891' first='Tyler' last='Barrows'] (5-11, 10.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg) is solid. But lack of size in the interior is a concern. Junior Gavin Wise (6-5) might able to help the Huskies' interior defense.<br><br><strong>8. Chippewa Falls</strong> -- The usually competitive Cardinals are coming off a difficult season, one in which they won just four games and finished 0-14 in league play. Six key players from that squad graduated last spring so coach Jason Proue will rely on newcomers from JV1 and JV2 teams that went a combined 23-21. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2397552' first='Collin' last='Nichols'] (6-3, 2.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg) is the lone returning player who averaged at least two points per game last winter. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1481178' first='Cooper' last='Jesperson'], Eau Claire Memorial (20.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2432854' first='Zach' last='Orr'], Rice Lake (19.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2021394' first='Isaac' last='Ellison'], Menomonie (18.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2022565' first='Wesley' last='Mboga'], Eau Claire Memorial (13.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610572' first='Elliott' last='Bessen'], Eau Claire North (13.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1544741' first='Tyler' last='Lessard'], Hudson (13.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1962213' first='Julius' last='Clark'], Eau Claire Memorial (13.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2620378' first='Brody' last='Thornton'], Menomonie (12.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610580' first='Jack' last='Charbonneau'], New Richmond (11.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2620374' first='Sam' last='Swavely'], Hudson (10.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1417497' first='Preston' last='Johnson'], River Falls (10.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2499891' first='Tyler' last='Barrows'], Eau Claire North (10.1 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1481178' first='Cooper' last='Jesperson'], 6-3, Sr., Eau Claire Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2022565' first='Wesley' last='Mboga'], 6-4, Sr., Eau Claire Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1544741' first='Tyler' last='Lessard'], 6-3, Sr., Hudson<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2021394' first='Isaac' last='Ellison'], 6-4, Sr., Menomonie<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2432854' first='Zach' last='Orr'], 5-11, Sr., Rice Lake<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1962213' first='Julius' last='Clark'], 6-0, Sr., Eau Claire Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610572' first='Elliott' last='Bessen'], 6-1, Sr., Eau Claire North<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2620374' first='Sam' last='Swavely'], 6-0, Sr., Hudson<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1417497' first='Preston' last='Johnson'], 6-1, Sr., River Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610580' first='Jack' last='Charbonneau'], 6-4, Sr. New Richmond<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1481178' first='Cooper' last='Jesperson'], Eau Claire Memorial<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021394' first='Isaac' last='Ellison'], Menomonie<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1544741' first='Tyler' last='Lessard'], Hudson<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1481178' first='Cooper' last='Jesperson'], Eau Claire Memorial<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2410538' first='Brody' last='Graetz'], River Falls</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->