Local players, coach participate in WBCA All-Star Games

by Beth Kraft

Two area boys basketball stars and three coaches with ties to the Mondovi area headed to the Wisconsin Dells to participate in the 38th annual Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Games, held Saturday, June 20.

Devin Oesau of Gilmanton and Eleva-Strum Central product Caleub Watkins were members of the Division 5 South All-Star team, defeating the D5 North squad 86-75.

Chad Brieske, head coach of the Mondovi boys basketball team, led the Division 4 North All-Star team at the event. He was assisted by junior varsity coach Wyatt Anderson and Mondovi native Chris Segerstrom, who heads up the boys basketball program for Elmwood/Plum City. 

Brieske’s squad fell 95-82 in spite of double-digit performances by Fall Creek’s Matt Anderson (11 points) Eau Claire Regis product Billy Wampler (19 points) and Stevens Point Pacelli’s James Gollon (16 points).

The D5 South boys shot nearly 44 percent for the game, building a 45-31 lead at the half. The team then used a big 28-point fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Watkins tallied five points, three assists and one steal in 19 minutes of work and shot 3-for-4 from free throw line. Oesau, a D5 Honorable Mention All-State player this year, chipped in with a field goal, two offensive rebounds, three steals and a block.

The D4 North All-Stars shot 40 percent in the first half and put 31 points on the board in the second quarter, but the squad was still down one, 47-46, at the half.

The South team shot a blistering 52 percent for the game with an impressive six players reaching double-digits.

The North team shot just 33 percent in second half to fall behind and was plagued by 15 turnovers in the contest.