Hudson Raiders: 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes, things don't happen as planned, which has been the theme for the Hudson Raiders these past few seasons. Early-season injuries have stunted what had appeared to be promising seasons for the Big Rivers power in the last two campaigns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately for the Raiders, class of 2027 wing [player_tooltip player_id='751276' first='Olivia' last='LaBlanc'] has been unlucky with the injury bug in her first two seasons of high school basketball. However, we have seen enough to know that when she is on the court, the Raiders are among the top programs in Division 1. Her ability to be the focal point of an offense, score from all three levels, handle the ball, and get her teammates involved has helped them compete with talented programs like Muskego, Hartford, and Eau Claire Memorial. In a world where she can stay on the floor in her junior season, LaBlanc could have the Raiders in the second weekend of the postseason, at worst.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside of LaBlanc, the Raiders have boasted some talented youngsters over the past few seasons. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='814306' first='Devin' last='Larson'] has proven to be a reliable lead guard who can get the best out of the players around her. Her ability to lead an offense and control the tempo will help Hudson compete with anyone they see this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pairing a player like sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='992496' first='Jadyn' last='Mataczynski'] alongside Larson will solidify their ball handling and help them play through pressure and get good looks at the basket every time down the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is also plenty of experience in their ranks alongside those three players, with a player like [player_tooltip player_id='764290' first='Gretchen' last='Whitten'] in the frontcourt who adds some physicality to any lineup she plays in. She is also a player who has proven she can knock down shots on the perimeter and help open the floor for her teammates on the offensive end. Her skillset adds plenty of versatility to the Raider lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Jess Vadnais also has some depth that she can count on. The development of someone like [player_tooltip player_id='992505' first='Libby' last='Bartz'], who possesses the size and skill to fit into any potential lineup she may want to run. Bartz got more minutes last season than anyone may have expected, due to the LaBlanc injury, but she will have more confidence heading into her sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One other player to keep an eye on, especially with the presence of LaBlanc back in the fold, is [player_tooltip player_id='895652' first='Greta' last='Belany']. She is a player who can space the floor on the offensive end and knock down shots when her defender helps off her. Belany played well in the two full games I watched her with LaBlanc, and they had an excellent understanding of each other's games, feeding off one another.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudson has experienced some ups and downs these past few seasons, due to the uncontrollable nature of athletics. However, if this is the year where they can keep their core healthy, they will be a group that can surprise people and make a run in the postseason this February and March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->