Big Rivers Conference: Preview

Big Rivers Conference: Preview <img class="size-medium wp-image-181857 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/06/PGHFeaturedImage4-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /> Last season River Falls finished first in the Big Rivers conference with an 11-1 record. The team consisted of [player_tooltip player_id="132425" first="Kylie" last="Strop"] who was the Player of the Year and a First Team All Conference selection. Trop was a senior so she will not be returning. However, River Falls is still a contender for the top spot again as their roster runs deep. Honorable Mention select Taylor Kasten will be back for her senior season. Hudson finished second in conference play with a 10-2 record overall. The team consisted of two of the top players in the conference and First Team All Conference selections [player_tooltip player_id="202302" first="Audrey" last="Hatfield"] and Sophia Jones. Hatfield led the conference in rebounding while also finishing fifth overall in scoring. Jones finished second in conference play in assists with nearly 4 per game. Third in conference last season was Eau Claire Memorial who was led by then senior and First Team selection Sydney Brennan. Memorial will bring back standout sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="156059" first="Lily" last="Cayley"]. As a freshman, Cayley was third on the team in scoring while averaging 7.6 points per game and made an immediate impact in the conference. Cayley scored in double figures six different times last season. She will be looked upon to make the big plays and be a consistent threat for her team. She’s an elite athlete with so much upside, Cayley will impact on multiple levels and both ends of the floor for Memorial. Rice Lake, who finished last in conference play last season, are posed for a much better outcome as they continue to develop and gain experience since last time around. Led by Second Team 6’0 junior forward Brynn Olson. She averaged 12.8 points per game last season and will be the difference maker in her team’s success. Here’s a list of a few players in the entire conference posed to make an impact this season. [player_tooltip player_id="202302" first="Audrey" last="Hatfield"] | Hudson | 6’2 F | Senior <img class=" wp-image-187406 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/Audrey-Hatfield-205x300.jpg" alt="" width="139" height="203" /> The senior brings so much power and athleticism to the game. Last season she averaged 13.3 points and 9 rebounds per game. In an impressive win over Eau Claire Memorial, Hatfield scored a season-high 26 points. She is a physically mature player that is phenomenal at using her body to overpower defenders near the rim. She also uses her strength on the perimeter to create angles for herself to cut and get open. Hatfield has great confidence with the ball. She can do anything at any given moment which makes her very special. A dynamic shot blocker as well, Hatfield finished her junior campaign with 48 blocked shots. She is committed to University of St. Thomas [player_tooltip player_id="204162" first="Shelby" last="Thornton"] | Menomonie | 5’7 CG | Junior Thornton led her team in scoring last season with 11.6 points per game. She’s a three level scorer who does it all for her team. She’s consistent and understands what needs to be done to help her team. She’s a high energy guard who moves well with the ball and has the technical skills to handle high pressure defense. She made 16 three point baskets as well. In a two point win over Rice Lake, Thornton scored 19 points and shot 60% on the court. A floor general and coach on the floor, Thornton finished the season averaging 2.3 assists per game. Her defense is continuously improving again and she takes more risks grabbing steals, she finished with 15 steals last season. Brynn Olson | Rice Lake | 6’0 F | Junior Olson had an exceptional sophomore season and will certainly come back even better this season. She averaged 12.8 points per game, made 33 three point baskets and grabbed 6.3 boars per game. In a game against conference opponent Hudson, Oslon dropped a season-high 25 points. Olson has impressive size while having impressive quickness and athletic ability. She is a great scorer from range. Olson has a great release to he jumper- add that onto her size, and she is very difficult to contest if she gets space. [player_tooltip player_id="204122" first="Reanna" last="Hutchinson"] | Eau Claire North | 5’10 CG | Junior <img class=" wp-image-210138 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/REANNA-HUTCHINSON-106-scaled-e1602096813301-300x282.jpg" alt="" width="194" height="182" /> Hutchinson’s stock continues to rise, this athlete has a high ceiling and a natural offensive gift. Her movement without the ball is elite and her vision for cutting to get open and use the proper screen does not go unnoticed. Last season she averaged a quiet 11.2 points per game while making 35 three point baskets. In a game at La Crosse Central, the 5’10 standout finished with a game-high 28 points. Hutchinson has quick downhill speed for her size, and once she leaves her feet she is finishing strong and efficiently. She has a well developed jump shot and can finish down low. A defensive powerhouse as well, Hutchinson uses her high IQ to make the right call and alter passes and shots. She added 3 steals per game with over 60 on the season. Taylor Katsen | Rice Falls Katsen will have to put the team on her back this season and become an impact player on both ends of the floor. She’s a post player who is dynamic and athletic, making her a tough prospect to guard. She takes chances in the lane and is crafty finding the open shot. Her footwork is elite, often drawing the foul or faking her defender. Last season she averaged nearly 9 points and 6 rebounds per game. She’s dominant in the paint and uses her height to keep the ball high and finish with authority. She’s a beast on glass and chases down all loose boards. She grabbed a season-high 11 boards against Chippewa Falls last season. She’s comfortable as the traditional post player but thrives as well stepping out on the perimeter- Katsen should be ready for success this season.