Top Returners: Big Rivers Conference
Top Returners: Big Rivers Conference The Big Rivers conference was led last season by River Falls. The team finished with a 11-1 conference record. Following behind them was Hudson who finished with a 10-2 record. The remaining five teams that…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTop Returners: Big Rivers Conference
The Big Rivers conference was led last season by River Falls. The team finished with a 11-1 conference record. Following behind them was Hudson who finished with a 10-2 record. The remaining five teams that make up the Big Rivers conference consist of Eau Claire Memorial, Chippewa Falls, Menominee, Eau Claire North and Rice Lake.
Below is a list of prospects that have had successful seasons and will be returning for another season at their high school. These five players are ones to watch as summer gets rolling and into next season.
1. Audrey Hatfield | Hudson | Junior | 6’2 F
A first- team all conference selection during her junior season, Hatfield knows how to impact the game with her scoring ability. She led her team in scoring this season with 13.3 points per game. A strong post player with great size, Hatfield does a tremendous job on the block. An inside scoring threat with so many post moves in her bag, Hatfield is hard to defend. In a game against conference opponent Eau Claire Memorial, Hatfield finished with a season-high 26 points. A strong rebounder in the paint as well she added 9 boards per game. Hatfield excels at blocking shots for her team as well. She added 2.3 blocks per game for her team. Hatfield plays summer basketball with WI Force.
2. Sophia Jones | Hudson | Junior
A standout guard for her team and another first- team all conference selection. Jones gets the job done. She is a great overall player who does all the right things when facilitating the offense. She can push the ball in transition while attacking the basket or pulling up for a transition three pointer. She’s a sniper from beyond the arc. Jones finished her junior season with 42 made three point baskets. She averaged 13 points per game for Hudson, second on her team in scoring. She’s a great floor general as well, working nicely alongside Audrey Hatfield. Jones added 3.7 assists per game with over 80 on the season.
3. Shelby Thorton | Menominee | Sophomore | 5’9 G
Thorton led her team in both scoring and assists during her sophomore campaign. She plays with patience and composure. She sets the tone on offense and doesn’t let the opponent speed up her tempo. She has a great combination of height and skill on the floor. She can handle the ball and pull up from the outside. Thornton is super effective creating contact and finishing strong in the lane.
This season she averaged 11.6 points per game for her team. She became more comfortable beyond the arc late this season but I’d keep her on a close watch to start shooting more often this summer and next season. In a game against Rice Lake, Thornton finished with 19 points for her team. An effective passer as well, Thornton added 2.3 assists per game. In a close game against La Crosse Central, Thorton finished with 7 assists. She is the floor general for her Menominee squad.
4. Brynn Olson | Rice Lake | Sophomore | 6’0 F
Olson is a super talented forward with a large ceiling. She is an athletic guard with a great build and good balance to her body. She is a composed post player with a high understanding for her spots on the floor. She moves well without the basketball and does a great job getting her teammates involved. A shooter for her Rice Lake team as well, Olson will continue to improve her perimeter percentage. She has a smooth release to her shot and ability to shoot over defenders.
The sophomore finished this season with 12.8 points per game. She can score mid-range, attack the basket or finish strong from the block. Olson is a strong leader already for her Rice Lake team and will only continue to become more effective as she gains more experience. In a game against Hudson, Olson finished with 25 points. A strong rebounder for Rice Lake, Olson added 6.3 per game. She does an impressive job keeping the ball high before a put back bucket or before an outlet passes to her guards. In a game against Holmen she finished with 10 boards. Olson plays summer ball with Flight Elite.
5. Taylor Kasten | River Falls | Junior | 5’11 P
The junior helped lead her team to the number one spot in the conference this season. She played alongside some of the state’s top prospects and still shined in multiple ways. She showed her versatility on the floor and accepted her role during her junior campaign. Kasten did a great job getting her teammates open and getting easy transitions or put back buckets for her team. Kasten, the third leading scorer on her team this season, will certainly be the go-to offensive key for River Falls next season. She’s a strong and athletic post player. She moves well without the ball and can hit mid-range as well. Kasten averaged 8.8 points per game for her team. An effective rebounder as well, she added 5.5 boards per game.