River Falls boys’ basketball head coach Zac Campbell goes on Zoom regularly to prep his team for each game these days.

Campbell began quarantining in late December due to a positive COVID case in his home, so took to coaching remotely as assistant coach Zach Turpin took the reins in his place on the sideline. The No. 4-ranked Division 2 Wildcats (5-1, 1-1) responded with back-to-back wins since the transition, routing Ellsworth 77-47 on Jan. 2 and St. Croix Central 62-44 on Dec. 31. River Falls extended its winning streak to three games through Jan. 4 with the wins.

“We expect our program to operate at a high level regardless of who is present,” Campbell said. “It's been great to see the boys pick up their communication and intensity in my absence.”

Turpin credited program culture and team’s leadership in the transition’s success. He noted that he didn’t see any major differences between his first and second games at the helm in terms of how the team executed.

River Falls established 18-point leads the first half of both games and never let Ellsworth nor St. Croix Central make it close in the second half. Wildcats senior guard Zac Johnson led in scoring for both games with 20 points at Ellsworth and 29 points against St. Croix Central. Senior guard Chis Chapin and senior forward Liam Dougherty complimented Johnson with 12 points for the Wildcats against St. Croix Central and Ellsworth, respectively.

Campbell said he “nervously paces” his basement while watching the games live streamed as he misses being on the sidelines and providing guidance for his team. He gives input to his team before tip-off with a pregame talk to the players over the phone, but then, it’s Turpin leading from the bench.

Regular communication with Turpin throughout the week and Zoom scouting report meetings with the team keep Campbell connected on a regular basis. Campbell added that he keeps in regular contact with the players via texting.

“I'm thankful to have a person like Coach Turpin to work with as we work in partnership through everything so the transition for our boys isn't much different,” Campbell said.

Turpin said it’s a staff-wide effort.

“The entire coaching staff has done a great job of taking on additional responsibilities and making sure we do our best to keep providing our players an environment to grow in,” Turpin said.

Campbell anticipates being quarantined for a couple more games as the Wildcats return to Big Rivers Conference play this week. The Wildcats, who hosted Eau Claire North (3-1, 2-1) in conference action Tuesday, visit Menomonie (5-4, 3-2) on Friday at 7:15 p.m.

“We are going to have to have great energy in both games and execute well on both ends of the floor,” Turpin said. “These games will be great tests for us.”

River Falls returns to its home floor for Hudson (2-3, 2-2) on Jan. 11 at 7:15 p.m.

Photos by John McLoone.