Big Rivers Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Eau Claire Memorial 14-0 (21-5); 2. Hudson 11-3 (16-9); 3. New Richmond 7-7 (15-13); 3. River Falls 7-7 (13-12); 5. Menomonie 6-8 (14-12); 5. Rice Lake 6-8 (15-10); 7. Eau Claire North 5-9 (8-17); 8. Chippewa Falls 0-14 (0-25).<br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/hudson-3/">Hudson</a> </strong>-- Like most of the teams in the Big Rivers, Hudson was hit hard by graduation as four starters who combined to average nearly 40.0 ppg graduated last spring. The only returning regular for coach Brent Larson is senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2811755' first='Jace' last='Mataczynski'] (6-3, 13.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Mataczynski is one of the top players in the league and will provide strong leadership for a talented junior class that includes guard [player_tooltip player_id='2416653' first='Alex' last='Healy'] (6-0, 5.5 ppg) and forward [player_tooltip player_id='2993752' first='Jack' last='Dumond'] (6-4, 1.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg). Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2851276' first='Ben' last='Beucler'] (6-0, 2.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2993751' first='Cooper' last='Adair'] (6-2, 1.4 ppg) also return for the Raiders, who figure to use an up-tempo pace triggered by pressure defense to make things difficult for opponents.<br><br><strong>2. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/river-falls/"><strong>River Falls</strong> </a>-- Despite losing two key players to graduation in [player_tooltip player_id='3019012' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] (6-6, 10.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Preston Johnson (6-2, 14.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg), River Falls remains one of the elite teams in the Big Rivers. Coach Zach Turpin starts his second season in chargers of the program with three returning regulars in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2410538' first='Brody' last='Graetz'] (6-1, 16.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2984726' first='Austin' last='Stellrecht'] (6-4, 4.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2984725' first='Tanner' last='Bottolfson'] (6-1, 8.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg). With that talented trio leading the way, River Falls also figures to get big contributions from senior [player_tooltip player_id='2984730' first='Cal' last='DuMond'] (6-3, 5.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2419970' first='Cullen' last='Johnson'] (6-0, 2.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140922' first='Gavin' last='Carufel'] (6-0, 2.0 ppg). Experience is a strength for River Falls, but lack of size is a concern. <br><br><strong>3.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/eau-claire-memorial/"> Eau Claire Memorial </a></strong>-- Winning a third consecutive Big Rivers title might be a tall order for the Old Abes as coach Chad Brieske must replace all five starters from a club that went 21-5. The lone returning player with extensive experience is senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2499886' first='Ian' last='Bauer'] (6-2, 4.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg). Bauer will lead a young club that could very well include some sophomores and freshmen. One player who was anticipated to play a huge role for the Old Abes -- freshman Brevin Hedtke (5-11) -- is lost for the season with an injury. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2391028' first='Caleb' last='Moessner'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='2417792' first='Caelob' last='Johnson'] (5-9), [player_tooltip player_id='2391527' first='Noah' last='Thiess'] (6-3), [player_tooltip player_id='3019807' first='Ben' last='Strayer'] (5-11) and Oliver Vlcek (6-0) will need to step up in a big-time way after seeing limited action a year ago.<br><br><strong>4.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/menomonie/"> Menomonie</a></strong> -- Greg Van Grunsven surpassed 300 career wins last winter and begins his second year as the coach at Menomonie counting on perhaps the most dominant big man in the Big Rivers in junior [player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'] (6-7, 10 ppg, 7 rpg). While Robert figures to anchor the post with his inside scoring, rebounding and shot blocking, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2993841' first='Tyler' last='Nelson'] (5-11, 6 ppg) will handle a bulk of the perimeter duties for the Mustangs. Chemistry is an asset for Menomonie, which also welcomes back top reserves [player_tooltip player_id='2389874' first='Jacob' last='Rue'] (5-11, 5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='3021018' first='Isaac' last='Nielson'] (6-2, 2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2993843' first='DJ' last='Butler'] (5-11, 2 ppg). <br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/new-richmond/">New Richmond </a></strong>-- Kyle Allen moves from Pine City, Minnesota, to New Richmond to take over the coaching duties for a program coming off a 15-13 season. Just one starter is back for Allen's first team at New Richmond in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2501099' first='Nick' last='Stellrecht'] (6-5, 9.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg). One of the better two-way players in the conference, Stellrecht will lead a young team that includes senior [player_tooltip player_id='2417099' first='Carter' last='Komro'] (6-3) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140885' first='Braxton' last='Landa'] (5-11). Allen arrives at New Richmond with a career coaching record of 214-162. <br><br><strong>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/eau-claire-north/">Eau Claire North </a></strong>-- Logan Horn begins his second season as the head coach at Eau Claire North looking to improve on an 8-17 finish. And with three starters and newcomers from an 18-4 JV1 team forming the nucleus for the 2025-26 squad, the Huskies could indeed rank among the more improved teams in the league. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2499891' first='Tyler' last='Barrows'] (6-0, 13.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg) leads the way for Eau Claire North as he earned honorable mention all-league honors as a junior. Joining Barrows as returning starters are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2993322' first='Gavin' last='Wise'] (6-5, 6.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2993323' first='Zach' last='Shipman'] (6-2, 5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg). <br><br><strong>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/rice-lake/">Rice Lake</a> </strong>-- It's year No. 25 for Kevin Orr as the head coach at Rice Lake. He begins the milestone season with a pair of returning starters in physical senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2426065' first='Will' last='Svendsen'] (6-4, 14.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and skilled guard [player_tooltip player_id='2391704' first='Grant' last='Pacholke'] (6-0, 3.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg). With Svendsen and Pacholke leading the way, Rice Lake also welcomes the return of sophomores Bjorn Helsted (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2858000' first='Parker' last='Dvorak'] (5-10) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021960' first='Graden' last='Sheplee'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2993973' first='Ben' last='Vande Vort']. Lack of varsity experience is a definite concern for Orr, but he likes his young group's basketball smarts and work ethic. <br><br><strong>8. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/chippewa-falls/">Chippewa Falls </a></strong>-- The Cardinals hope to end two nasty losing streaks as early as possible this season as they've dropped 26 games in a row and 29 straight Big Rivers contests. Four starters are back from an 0-25 squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2993183' first='Grant' last='Von Haden'] (5-10, 6.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2418685' first='Conrad' last='Gebauer'] (6-5, 3.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2829504' first='Owen' last='Munson'] (6-2, 10.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2993182' first='Kael' last='Dillenbeck'] (6-3, 3.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Top reserves [player_tooltip player_id='2993184' first='Connor' last='Kolinski'] (6-2, 3.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2821342' first='Kobe' last='Twyman'] (5-11, 7.2 ppg) also return for coach Jason Proue. Experience and shooting should be assets for the Cardinals while scoring in the paint is a concern. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2410538' first='Brody' last='Graetz'] (River Falls) 16.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2426065' first='Will' last='Svendsen'] (Rice Lake) 14.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2811755' first='Jace' last='Mataczynski'] (Hudson) 13.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2499891' first='Tyler' last='Barrows'] (Eau Claire North) 13.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2829504' first='Owen' last='Munson'] (Chippewa Falls) 10.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'] (Menomonie) 10.0 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2811755' first='Jace' last='Mataczynski'], 6-3, Sr., Hudson<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2499891' first='Tyler' last='Barrows'], 6-0, Sr., Eau Claire North<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2410538' first='Brody' last='Graetz'], 6-1, Sr., River Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2426065' first='Will' last='Svendsen'], 6-4, Sr., Rice Lake<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2499886' first='Ian' last='Bauer'], 6-2, Sr., Eau Claire Memorial<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'], 6-7, Jr., Menomonie<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2501099' first='Nick' last='Stellrecht'], 6-5, Sr., New Richmond<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2829504' first='Owen' last='Munson'], 6-2, Jr., Chippewa Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2416653' first='Alex' last='Healy'], 6-0, Jr., Hudson<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2984725' first='Tanner' last='Bottolfson'], 6-1, Sr., River Falls<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2410538' first='Brody' last='Graetz'], River Falls<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'], Menomonie<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2499891' first='Tyler' last='Barrows'], Eau Claire North<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'], Menomonie<br><strong>Most Improved Player: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2416653' first='Alex' last='Healy'], Hudson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->