Ten Seniors Who Can Clean the Glass in the Driftless

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading up to the 2024-25 WIAA basketball season, I will be digging into the top performers in the Driftless Region. I'm specifically looking at players in the Big Rivers, Cloverbelt-West, Coulee, Dairyland, Dunn-St. Croix, Lakeland-West, Middle Border, Mississippi Valley, Ridge &amp; Valley, Scenic Bluffs, Six Rivers-West, South Central, Southwest Wisconsin and Southwest Wisconsin Activities League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2025 features a number of standout seniors who can really hit the boards. Here's a closer look at some of the top rebounders in the region heading into the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the 2023-24 season, [player_tooltip player_id='2637290' first='Wes' last='Bosworth'] from Richland Center, standing 6'4", pulled down 8.6 rebounds per game for the Hornets. The solid-framed forward out of the SWC conference complemented his rebounding efforts with 2.2 assists per game, demonstrating his ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021394' first='Isaac' last='Ellison'] of Menomonie is a standout hooper in the Big Rivers conference. At 6'4", he averaged 9.6 rebounds per game to go along with an impressive scoring average of 18.4 points per game, during his junior campaign. A skilled all-around player, Ellison's ability to score and control the glass makes him one of the most versatile forwards in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Using his 6'4" frame to average 10 boards per game, [player_tooltip player_id='2550547' first='Michael' last='Esser'], a senior from Highland led his team in securing possessions on both ends of the court last season. His rebounding dominance was complemented by his defensive contributions, where he averaged 1.4 blocks per game, showing his ability to protect the rim as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2623674' first='Will' last='Huelskamp'] from Luther hit the glass to average 7.4 rebounds per game for the Knights in the Coulee conference during the 2023-24 season. Standing 6'5", Huelskamp also contributed 2.8 assists per game, showing that he can facilitate the offense while also being a strong presence on the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong 6'6" athlete who is heading to the Iowa Hawkeyes to play tight end next season, [player_tooltip player_id='2415504' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] pulled down 7.5 rebounds per game for River Falls in the competitive Big Rivers conference during his junior year. Johnson also averaged 0.9 blocks per game, providing shot-blocking support for his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2636231' first='Wesley' last='Kraisinger'], another standout from Highland, was one of the most effective rebounders in the SWC conference, pulling down 8.3 rebounds per game. At 6'3”, Kraisinger combines strength and positioning to attack the boards and provide his team with valuable second-chance opportunities. His average of 1.7 blocks per game also makes him a presence in the paint on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sparta's [player_tooltip player_id='2632125' first='Gavin' last='Rhead'] averages a massive 12 boards per game in the MVC conference. The stout 6'4” big man combined his ability to crash the boards with 17.6 points per game, to be one of the more notable players in the region. His rebounding ensures that the Spartans control the glass on both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2447836' first='Ty' last='Roehm'] of Luck is a rebounding machine in the Lakeland-West conference, having pulled down an astounding 14.2 boards per game last season. At 6'3", Roehm's ability to dominate on the glass is truly impressive. Not only does he lead his team in rebounding, but he also puts up 21.6 points per game, showcasing his offensive firepower along with his rebounding skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another senior, [player_tooltip player_id='2623254' first='Zeke' last='Strand'] of Bloomer, stands 6'4" and averaged 7.7 rebounds per game in 2023-24. Playing in the Cloverbelt-West conference, Strand consistently battled in the paint, providing his team with valuable rebounding power. He also added 0.9 blocks per game, making him a key defender in the post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At a towering 6'7”, [player_tooltip player_id='2492770' first='Masyn' last='Wolf'] from Spring Valley is one of the most imposing figures in the Dunn-St. Croix conference. He went to the glass for an impressive 8.8 boards per game as a junior, using his height to his advantage. In addition to being a strong interior presence, Wolf also contributed nearly ten points per game for the Cardinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These seniors will be vital to their teams' success, using their size, positioning, and athleticism to dominate the rebounding battle and give their squads an edge in the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->