Hudson gets the nod to claim the league title.
2025-26 Big Rivers Conference Preview Predicted Order of Finish1)
Hudson2)
Eau Claire Memorial3)
Rice Lake4)
River Falls5)
Menomonie6)
Eau Claire North7)
Chippewa Falls8)
New RichmondPlayers to Watch
Norah Kling, Eau Claire Memorial – Kling, a Division I prospect, was voted second-team all-Big Rivers as a freshman, averaging 15.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.9 steals per game.
Devin Larson, Hudson – As a sophomore, Larson received second-team all-league honors, tallying 10.7 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. She also shot 57-for-141 from behind the arc.
Olivia LaBlanc, Hudson – LaBlanc is back after missing nearly all of last season with an ACL injury. She started the season strong with a 21-point effort in a 74-67 loss to MaxPreps/WBCA Division 2 No. 1 Whitefish Bay at the Kettle Moraine Thanksgiving Shootout.
Jordan Ohman, Menomonie – Ohman was chosen as a second-team all-Big Rivers performer as a junior, averaging 14.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
Lydia Paulmier, Eau Claire Memorial – Palmier chipped in 5.6 points and 1.6 steals per game as a junior for the Old Abes.
Hayley Quinn, River Falls – Quinn missed her junior season with an ACL injury. The NCAA Division II Augustana University recruit scored 13.2 points per game as a sophomore.
Addison Schmidt, Rice Lake – Schmidt was named first-team all-Big Rivers and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a sophomore. The NCAA Division I UW-Green Bay commit averaged 16.4 points, 13 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game.
Raya Shaw, Eau Claire Memorial – As a junior, Shaw earned second-team all-league honors, tallying 6.1 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest.
Adaline Sheplee, Rice Lake – Sheplee was named Big Rivers Player of the Year and WBCA all-state as a junior. The Wisconsin commit averaged 23.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Abigail Treichel, River Falls – As a junior, Treichel received second-team all-league recognition, averaging 11.7 points and 13.6 rebounds per contest.
Gretchen Whitten, Hudson – Whitten contributed 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore for the Raiders.
Team Capsules Chippewa Falls Coach: Becca Bestul, 10th year (77-141)
2024-25 Record: 1-24
2024-25 Conference Finish: 8th, 0-14
Returning Starters: Jillian Wik (5-6, sr., 6 PPG), Tenley Anderson (5-7, soph., 4.2 PPG), Claire Hoepner (5-10, sr.), Willa Risinger (6-0, sr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Macy Gokey (5-10, sr.)
Newcomers: MaKenna Wood (5-11, soph.), Emma Hoepner (5-10, jr.) Malia Kalien (5-8, jr.)
Team Notes: The Cardinals welcomed back five players who started games last season.
Eau Claire MemorialCoach: Brandon Fanning, 13th year
2024-25 Record: 25-3, lost to Appleton East in a D1 sectional final
2024-25 Conference Finish: Big Rivers champion (14-0)
Returning Starters: Norah Kling (5-10, soph., 15.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.9 SPG), Raya Shaw (5-8, sr., 6.1 PPG, 2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.8 SPG), Lydia Paulmier (5-8, sr., 5.6 PPG, 1.6 APG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Ava Hoitomt (5-7, soph., 7.5 ppg), Cora Graham (5-10, sr., 2.8 PPG, 2.2 APG)
Newcomers: Katie Toutant (5-10, soph.), Addy Larson (6-0, sr.), Ava McCarthy (5-8, fr.), Veronica Fesenmaier (5-9, fr.), Evelyn Bast (5-7, fr.)
Team Notes: The Old Ables returned three starters from last year's team, which finished one win away from the WIAA state tournament. Coach Fanning told MaxPreps they should be fast and athletic. "Our commitment to rebounding, defending, and defining roles will be keys to our success this season."
Eau Claire NorthCoach: Deborah Peterson, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 14-12
2024-25 Conference Finish: T4th, 7-7
Returning Starters: Adelynn Shepler (5-7, sr., 5.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Alyssa Manteufel (5-9, sr.), Lily Brott (5-6, jr.)
Team Notes: The Huskies will have a revamped roster after the graduation of nearly all of their key players.
HudsonCoach: Jessica Vadnais, 9th year (144-51)
2024-25 Record: 18-8
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 11-3
Returning Starters: Devin Larson (5-7, jr., 10.7 PPG, 57 3PM, 2.6 APG, 1.5 SPG), Gretchen Whitten (6-0, jr., 8.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG), Olivia LaBlanc (6-0, jr., missed nearly all of last season with an ACL injury)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Libby Bartz (5-11, soph., 6.8 PPG), Greta Belany (5-5, sr., 6.8 PPG, 1.7 SPG), Jadyn Mataczynski (5-9, soph., 5.8 PPG, 1.5 SPG), Olivia Osterhues (5-8, sr.), Ally Yaeger (5-9, sr.), Lily Welle (5-10, sr.), Sydney Dummer (5-3, sr.)
Team Notes: The Raiders returned a large group of contributors from last season's team, which fell to Neenah in a Division 1 regional final. Coach Vadnais told MaxPreps they will be athletic across the board, look to get out in transition, play aggressively on defense, and utilize their size. "We will be able to interchange quite a few girls through the 1-5 positions as well and create mismatches on both sides of the ball."
Coach: Tyra Swanson, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 13-13
2024-25 Conference Finish: T4th, 7-7
Returning Starters: Jordan Ohman (5-8, jr., 14.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3 APG), Reese Barfknecht (5-8, sr., 6.5 PPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Emmi Marlett (5-8, jr.), Gracie Miller (5-8, jr.)
Newcomers: Lauren Ohman (5-5, fr.), Mariana Ramirez (5-7, fr.), Ayala Hilson (5-6, fr.), Mya Romsos (5-8, soph.)
Team Notes: The Mustangs returned two of their top three scorers from last season.
New Richmond Coach: Justin Ritzer, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 6-17
2024-25 Conference Finish: 7th, 2-12
Returning Starters: Miley Covey (5-7, jr., 17.1 PPG, 2.4 APG, 3.8 SPG), Makynna Richter (5-5, sr., 6.2 PPG), Alex Wold (5-9, jr., 5.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Madison Komro (5-6, soph.), Gabby Schlafer (5-10, jr.), Etta Carlson (5-6, sr.)
Team Notes: The Tigers bought back three starters from their 2024-25 squad.
Rice LakeCoach: Darla Olson, 10th year
2024-25 Record: 23-6, lost to Edgewood in D2 state semis
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 10-4
Top Returnees: Adaline Sheplee (6-3, sr., 23.7 PPG, 53 3PM, 8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 3.2 SPG, 1.4 BPG), Addison Schmidt (6-2, jr., 16.4 PPG, 13 RPG, 3.3 BPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Harper Schommer (5-8, jr., 4 PPG, 2 SPG), Abby Doebereiner (5-9, jr.), Bri Barahona (5-9, jr.)
Newcomers: Brielle Balts (fr.), Hayden Stanley (soph.), Elise Johnson (soph.), Hailey Kalina (soph.), Eva Schradle (soph.)
Team Notes: The Warriors are coming off their first WIAA state tournament appearance in team history and will look to make another deep run with the return of Division I commits Adaline Sheplee (Wisconsin) and Addison Schmidt (UW-Green Bay).
River FallsCoach: Ian Sticht, 12th year
2024-25 Record: 7-19
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th, 5-9
Returning Starters: Abigail Treichel (6-0, sr., 11.7 PPG, 13.6 RPG), Addy Timm (5-8, sr., 7.8 PPG, 59 3PM), Rylan Sticht (5-7, soph., 7.5 PPG), Hayley Quinn (5-10, sr., missed junior season with ACL injury; 13.2 PPG as a soph.)
Other Returnees: Kylie Schaefer (5-9, soph.), Aubrey O'Malley (5-5, soph.), Hudson Walker (5-7, soph.), Jasmin Schwantz (5-7, soph.)
Newcomers: Maddy Rodriguez (soph.) Eva Engelbert (soph.), Kylenn Larson (soph.)
Team Notes: The Wildcats brought back two starters and also welcomed back Hayley Quinn, the team's leading scorer as a sophomore, who missed last season with a knee injury.
