Big Rivers Conference Preview - Boys Basketball

Below is a boys basketball conference preview. Included in each preview is the previous year standings, review, returning all-conference players, projected standings with writeup, a sleeper team, top players to watch, conference break out candidates.

Hudson and River Falls shared the conference crown last season but it was Menomonie that outlasted the entire conference come playoff time. The Mustangs knocked off New Richmond, the only other team to win a regional title in the conference, in the sectional semifinals before falling to West Salem in the sectional finals.

Head Coach: Brent Larson - 6th year (158 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jace Mataczynski, Ben Beucler, Cooper Adair
Returners: Alex Healy, 6-1, sr; Jack Dumond, 6-4, sr; Lucas Larson, 6-0, soph; Miles Webb, 6-2, sr; Jack Hatfield, 6-0, sr; Kameron Gruening, 5-10, jr; Keagan Holden, 6-0, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jacob Kowles, jr, 5-11; Mason Ekblad, 6-2, soph
Breakout Candidate: Lucas Larson

Outlook: Hudson shared the crown a season ago but fell in the playoffs to a team out of the FVA. Brent Larson returns one of the top players in the conference in Alex Healy who can flat out light up the box score. Lucas Larson is a promising sophomore that was a key piece to the rotation as a freshman and Jack Dumond, Miles Webb, and Jack Hatfield add experience for the Raiders squad. Guard play and pace of play are two things that will be key in Hudson’s quest to capture the conference crown once again in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Kyle Allen - 2nd year (230 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Nick Stellrecht, Carter Komro, Ben Salmon, Dane Lease, Dillon Auvin, Breckin Posel
Returners: Braxton Landa, 6-1, sr; McCoy Munson, 5-11, soph; Preston Hidde, 6-3, jr; Isaac Schwartz, 6-7, jr; Zach Ader, 5-10, sr; Drew Gretzlock, 6-4, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Isaac Schwartz

Outlook: New Richmond finished fourth in the conference last season but knocked off co-champ River Falls in the playoffs and won a regional title. That squad had a lot of younger athletes contribute which bodes well for Coach Allen’s team coming into this season. McCoy Munson, Preston Hidde, and Isaac Schwartz were all major contributors as underclassmen and with a club season behind them, will be even more impactful this year. Braxton Landa is the senior leader of the group and will help guide this group this year in the second season under Coach Allen’s system.

Head Coach: Chad Brieske - 10th year (309 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Ian Bauer, Caelob Johnson, Caleb Moessner
Returners: Andrew Hudson, 5-9, sr; Lucas Lokken, 6-0 jr; Mason McCarthy, 6-4, sr; Caleb Olatunji, 6-2, jr; Ethan Palecek, 6-3, sr; Trajan Telisak, 6-4, jr; Abbot Jepsen, 6-2, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Brevan Hedtke, 5-11, soph, Bennett Risler, 6-4, soph (transfer); Jack Modjeski, jr; Luke Jerome, 6-5, frosh; Bennett Brieske, frosh; Paxton Wathke, 6-4, frosh; Tamarion, Otoya, frosh; Jayden Furby, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Caleb Olatunji

Outlook: Losing Ian Bauer will be difficult for the Old Abes, but head coach Chad Brieske had a really young group of players that contributed last year and will only get better as the 2026-27 season advances. Brevan Hedtke missed his freshman year due to injury but is one of the top sophomores in the state. Transfer Bennett Risler brings a winning pedigree from his freshman year at Regis. The talent is deep for this Memorial team with players like Lucas Lokken, Caleb Olatunji, and Abbot Jepsen having gotten a year better and more mature in their play on the court. A challenging non-conference schedule will only prepare this young team for league play and come tournament time.

Head Coach: Greg Van Grunsven - 3rd year (332 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jake Rue, Tyler Nelson, Isaac Nielson, Ian Kistner
Returners: Trevor Robert, 6-8, sr; Javan Butler, 6-2, soph; DJ Butler, 5-11, sr; Parker Behrens, 6-1, soph; Blake Behrens, 6-3, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Javan Butler

Outlook: Like many in this conference, the Mustangs got a lot of production from underclassmen and came one short of making it to the Kohl Center. Coach Van Grunsven has over 300 career wins and will have one of the top players in the conference back to lead his squad in Trevor Robert. Javon Butler and Parker Behrens were both key contributors as freshman while DJ Butler and Blake Behrens are returning starters with plenty of experience. Menomonie outlasted all Big Rivers teams a year ago come playoff time and with this roster back will make the top of the conference very crowded come the final few weeks of the regular season.

Head Coach: Zach Turpin - 3rd year (111 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Brody Graetz, Austin Stellrecht, Tanner Bottolfson, Cal DuMond, Matthew Tiffany, Jackson Magee
Returners: Cullen Johnson, 6-2, sr; Gavin Carufel, 6-1, sr; Chase Radloff, 6-6, sr; Colton Nesbitt, 6-7, jr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Brady Larsen, James Treichel, 6-5, jr; Devon Fox, 5-11, sr; Gavin Benedict, 6-0, sr; Sean Manning, Breyden Bevan, 6-1, sr
Breakout Candidate: Colton Nesbitt

Outlook: Coach Turpin will need to replace four starters from a team that shared the conference championship a season ago. One thing the Wildcats have in this conference is size with three players listed at 6-5 or over including Chase Radloff and Colton Nesbitt. Cullen Johnson and Gavin Carufel are a solid guard duo for the Wildcats. Balance within the roster is key for River Falls going into 2026-27 as they’ll have size on the inside and experienced guards on the perimeter.

Head Coach: Jason Proue - 10th year (80 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Connor Kolinski, Grant Von Haden, Conrad Gebauer, Kael Dillenbeck (early graduation)
Returners: Owen Munson, 6-3, sr; Kobe Twyman, 5-11, jr; Brady Paull, 5-11, sr; Jacob Jenkins, 6-2, sr; Drew Thornton, 5-7 sr; Luke Thompson, 6-4, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jon Coulson, 6-7, sr
Breakout Candidate: Kobe Twyman

Outlook: Chippewa Falls returns one of three first team all-conference players from a season ago in Owen Munson and will rely heavily upon him and Kobe Twyman to lead a team that is senior laden. Jon Coulson provides size on the inside for Coach Proue, which is needed in a conference like the Big Rivers. Overall size and rebounding are two areas of concern for the Cardinals, but the strong guard play will prove to be a strength.

Head Coach: Mike Cooper - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Tyler Barrows, Zachary Shipman, McCabe Thesing-Ritter, Gavin Wise, Landon Knecht, Lavonte Bean
Returners: Robert Hutchinson, 6-2, sr; Owen Ruppert, 6-0, sr; Dempsey Bauer, 6-0, sr; Brady Andrew, 6-4, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jaquan Purnell, 6-6, jr; Ray Hutchinson, 6-6, jr; Sincere Turner, 5-10, soph; Avery Hernandez, 6-0, jr; Carter Helland, Connor Lindman
Breakout Candidate: Jaquan Purnell

Outlook: North will be under a new head coach as Mike Cooper enters his first year as a head coach after serving as an assistant for years in the college ranks, including last year with Milwaukee. Only one starter is back for the Huskies who won just eight games a season ago. That starter is Robert Hutchinson. Jaquan Purnell, Ray Hutchinson, and Brady Andrew provide size on the front court. Adapting to a new system may take time to get used to and there may be growing pains for this relatively unproven Husky roster.

Head Coach: Zach Schradle - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Will Svendsen, Grant Pacholke, Chris Cluppert, Aaron Hoffman
Returners: Parker Dvorak, 5-11, jr; Landon Brown, 5-11, soph; Ben Vandevoort, 6-0, sr; Bjorn Helstad, 6-3, jr; Grady Sheplee, 6-7, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Kiefer Kucko, 6-0, jr; Gavin Marsh, 6-2, jr; Cruze Estreen, soph
Breakout Candidate: Landon Brown

Outlook: Rice Lake won just two league games a season ago, but there is reason to believe that the Warriors will improve upon that in 2026-27. Grady Sheplee is a big body in the middle as is Bjorn Helstad who is poised for a breakout season as a junior. Landon Brown was good as a freshman and is a top sophomore in the state who can help first year head coach Zach Schradle lead his teammates on the floor.

River Falls is a team projected in the lower half of the standings here that is coming off a share of the conference crown. Size, a balanced roster, and a group that saw what it takes to win a conference crown are big positives to the Wildcats playing spoiler and finishing higher than what is predicted here.

Landon Brown, soph, Rice Lake
Brown saw extended playing time as a freshman a season ago and averaged 6.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. The 5-11 lead guard will have the keys to the offense put in his hands this upcoming year.

Gavin Carufel, sr, River Falls
Carufel is the lone returning starter for River Falls and comes off a junior year where he averaged 6.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Alex Healy, sr, Hudson
Healy is one of the best players back in the conference this season after he was a first team all-league honoree a season ago. The smooth shooting guard averaged 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game a season ago.

Brevan Hedtke, soph, Eau Claire Memorial
Hedtke is chomping at the bits to get on the court for the Old Abes after missing his freshman season to injury. One of the better sophomores in the state, the 5-11 guard can handle the ball well and is a premiere creator with his passing and dribbling abilities.

Cullen Johnson, sr, River Falls
Johnson averaged 3.9 points per game as a junior but steps into a much larger role with the Wildcats this season after the graduation of four starters. The 6-2 lead guard defends well and is poised for a big step forward as a senior.

Braxton Landa, sr, New Richmond
Landa was an honorable mention all-conference selection a season ago after he averaged 11.6 points per game. The 6-1 combo guard will step into a leadership role with the Tigers in 2026-27 and with the talent around him, will have more opportunities to create with the ball in his hands.

Lucas Larson, soph, Hudson
Larson is an emerging player in the Class of 2029 and was a key rotational player last year for the Division 1 Hudson Raiders. He averaged 5.1 points per game as a freshman and plays with the poise and decision making of a player that has had more than just one year of varsity experience.

Lucas Lokken, jr, Eau Claire Memorial
Lokken, like many of his teammates at Memorial, gained a load of experience as a sophomore last season, averaging 5.5 points per game. He’s a steady guard on a team that will play fast.

McCoy Munson, soph, New Richmond
Munson is one of the better players in the Class of 2029 and was the second leading scorer on the team as just a freshman a season ago. He averaged 13.6 points per game and was an honorable mention All-Big Rivers selection. Munson excels off the ball where he can create scoring opportunities just with his mobility.

Owen Munson, sr, Chippewa Falls
Munson is a strong lead guard that is one of three returning first team all-league selections from last year. He averaged 19.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and shot over 40% from beyond the arc. Munson is committed to play football at the next level for NCAA Division 3 UW-Eau Claire.

Bennett Risler, soph, Eau Claire Memorial
Risler was a starter as a freshman for the state tournament Regis squad a season ago. He averaged 11.5 points per game and was a second team All-Cloverbelt West selection a season ago. Risler can absolutely light it up from deep and his ability to stretch the floor only creates more opportunities for those around him.

Trevor Robert, sr, Menomonie
Robert was a first team all-conference selection last year after he averaged 18.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. The 6-8 forward moves around the court with ease and is a defensive stalwart on both the perimeter and near the rim. Robert is a matchup nightmare and one of the better defensive deterrents in the state.

Isaac Schwartz, jr, New Richmond
At 6-7, Schwartz is versatile on the offensive side of the ball where he can take over games around the rim but also step out and play on the perimeter. As a sophomore he averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Kobe Twyman, jr, Chippewa Falls
Twyman battled injuries as a sophomore last season but still averaged 7.0 points per game. Hungry to prove himself, Twyman can really score the ball with his ability to create shots off the bounce.