WBCA Release

La Crosse, Wis. - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse freshman forward JJ Paider of Neenah (H.S.) has been named the 2022-23 Division III Public Co-Newcomer of the Year by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the organization has announced. 

Seniors Ethan Anderson of Black River Falls (H.S.) and Austin Westra of De Forest (H.S.) along with sophomore Sam Kick of Onalaska (H.S.) were selected the 2022-23 WBCA Academic All-State Team. The award requires the selected individual maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50.  

Paider played in 19 games this season, including 12 starts, while averaging 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds. He shot 63.5% (47-of-74) from the field and 86.4% (19-of-22) at the free throw line. Paider scored in double figures in five games with a season-high 15 points against UW-Whitewater on February 24 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament Semifinals. 

He finished with 14 points against UW-Stevens Point on February 4 and versus UW-Stout on February 8. Paider had a season-high nine rebounds to go along with seven points against UW-Oshkosh on January 14. 

Paider shares this year's honor with UW-Whitewater's Miles Barnstable. 

Selected the 2022-23 WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete, Anderson played in all 26 games this season with 20 starts. He finished second for UWL in scoring (11.6), rebounding (4.1) and assists (2.4) while leading the team in blocks (13). Anderson scored in double figures in 13 games with a season-high 29 versus UW-Eau Claire on December 3. 

Westra started all 26 games this year, leading UWL in scoring (15.2), rebounding (5.8), assists (2.5) and steals (1.3). He had a career-high 27 points versus UW-Whitewater on January 25 while finishing with double figures in 21 games. 

Anderson and Westra were both named to the 2022-23 All-WIAC First Team. 

Kick appeared in eight games this season, scoring two points versus UW-Stout on February 8.

UWL finished 19-7 overall and 10-4 in the WIAC this season, placing second in the league standings. The Eagles advanced to the WIAC Tournament Semifinals for the fifth straight season under head coach Kent Dernbach.