2021-22 Season Preview: Big Rivers Conference
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Looking ahead to the 2021-22 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Big Rivers Conference… PROJECTED STANDINGS 1. Eau Claire Memorial 2. Hudson 3. Menomonie 4. Eau Claire North 5. Chippewa Falls 6. Rice Lake 7.…
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Continue ReadingLooking ahead to the 2021-22 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Big Rivers Conference…
PROJECTED STANDINGS
1. Eau Claire Memorial
2. Hudson
3. Menomonie
4. Eau Claire North
5. Chippewa Falls
6. Rice Lake
7. River Falls
THE FAVORITE – Eau Claire Memorial
The Old Abes have three potential first-team All-Conference picks and arguably three of the top four players in the conference. Concordia St. Paul commit Will Boser Will Boser 6'5" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged nearly 21 points per game as a junior. Senior wing/forward L.J. Wells L.J. Wells 6'5" | SF Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI is one of the most improved players in the state and continues to improve rapidly. A healthy Mekhi Shaw Mekhi Shaw 6'0" | PG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI at point guard will provide senior leadership and playmaking ability on the ball.
TOP CONTENDER – Hudson
The Raiders take a hit without Luke Healy Luke Healy 6'0" | CG Hudson | 2021 State WI , now at Sioux Falls, but senior guard Andre Renta Andre Renta 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2022 State WI is ready to step into that No. 1 role. Hudson will be without a number of key seniors from last season, but John Witcher John Witcher 6'4" | SF Hudson | 2022 WI and Evan Tyler are sleepers that can help keep this program towards the top of the league.
DARK HORSE – Menomonie
Behind senior forward Noah Feddersen Noah Feddersen 6'9" | PF Menomonie | 2022 State WI , the Mustangs may have finished sixth of seven teams in the league last season, but this was a very tightly contested race. In fact, Menomonie finished just one game out third place.
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE
First Team
G Tyler Orr Tyler Orr 5'10" | PG Rice Lake | 2023 State WI – Jr. (Rice Lake)
G Andre Renta Andre Renta 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2022 State WI – Sr. (Hudson)
G Will Boser Will Boser 6'5" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI – Sr. (Eau Claire Memorial)
F L.J. Wells L.J. Wells 6'5" | SF Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI – Sr. (Eau Claire Memorial)
F Henry Wilkinson – Sr. (Eau Claire North)
F Noah Feddersen Noah Feddersen 6'9" | PF Menomonie | 2022 State WI – Sr. (Menomonie)
Second Team
G Mekhi Shaw Mekhi Shaw 6'0" | PG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI – Sr. (Eau Claire Memorial)
G Keion Twyman Keion Twyman 6'2" | PG Chippewa Falls | 2022 WI – Sr. (Chippewa Falls)
G Michael Schurman – Sr. (River Falls)
G Mason Monarski – Jr. (Chippewa Falls)
G Roscoe Rennock – Sr. (Eau Claire North)
F John Witcher John Witcher 6'4" | SF Hudson | 2022 WI – Sr. (Hudson)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Will Boser Will Boser 6'5" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI
Eau Claire Memorial’s trio could take away from Boser’s chances as he’ll likely have to share the wealth a little bit more this season with Shaw back and Wells emerging. However, However, the Old Abes very well could win the Big Rivers Conference by multiple games, making it difficult not to choose a Memorial standout. Boser is the league’s top returning scorer. He also hit a whopping 74 3-pointers in 2020-21.
BREAKOUT PLAYER – Andre Renta Andre Renta 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2022 State WI
Renta isn’t going to surprise anyone in the Big Rivers Conference, but his production could jump substantially in 2021-22. As a junior, Renta averaged 13.1 ppg behind Healy. A fast, explosive lead guard, Renta has some of the best handles in the state and can score effectively in isolation situations.
SLEEPER TO WATCH – Michael Schurman
River Falls is in rebuilding mode after losing a trio of seniors that led them to the Division 1 state semifinals last season. Schurman was a quality role player for the Wildcats last season. He averaged 7.0 ppg as a junior, while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor. He also grabbed north of 5.0 rebounds per game as well in a lineup that featured a pair of 6-foot-8 forwards.