Ready to roll

Jacob Breunig is more modest than many coaches would be. Sauk Prairie’s girls basketball boss recently said: “We want to be a good program and we have the ability to be.” Well, the Eagles have been that — and then some — under Breunig. Sauk Prairie is 46-29 in Breunig’s first three seasons at the helm. The Eagles have had three straight winning seasons and finished in the top half of the Badger Small Conference each year. Breunig is expecting more of the same this winter. The Eagles — who open their season Thursday at Dodgeville — have a solid nucleus back and are welcoming some gifted newcomers. Breunig believes that mix could help Sauk Prairie enjoy another strong season. “We have a good mix of veterans and newcomers,” said Breunig, whose team begins its season Thursday at Dodgeville. “We have girls that enjoy playing basketball which is great. I have high expectations for the girls this year and we will need to work hard to achieve them.” Junior post Mallory Hartwig will help lead the Eagles after she earned honorable-mention all-conference honors last season. Hartwig was third on the team in scoring (8.2) and rebounding (4.6). She also tied for the team lead in assists (2.1) and led the Eagles in steals (2.3). “Mallory Hartwig will continue to grow in her role as a scorer and defender for us,” Breunig said. “Her athleticism is something you do not see from many other high school girls, so we are excited about her year.” Senior forward Ava Brings was also named honorable-mention all-conference last year.  Brings led the Eagles in rebounding (6.7) and was fourth in scoring (7.6). Brings also had a team-best 13 blocked shots and was fourth on the Eagles in steals (1.6). “Ava Brings will bring that post presence we need and we look for her to continue to consistently finish in the post,” Breunig said. Senior post Gracyn Meyer is another solid returnee. Last season, Meyer averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds. “Gracyn Meyer will bring us a lot this year with stretching the floor with her shot and her passing ability,”  Breunig said.   Senior forward Macee Gulden is another key returnee who averaged 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds last season. “Macee Gulden is another post who we need to navigate with injuries, but she is a presence in the post that not many teams can guard,” Senior guard Kennedy Breunig missed last season due to an ACL injury, but her outside shooting and ball handling will both be key for the Eagles. Junior wing Brooklyn Kaufman will return as the Eagles’ defensive stopper.   “She has a high motor and brings a lot of energy when on the court,” Jacob Breunig said. Sophomore Audrey Brickl also returns and will be a key member of the backcourt. “She is a good shooter and her ball handling abilities will be needed this season as well,” Jacob Breunig said. Others looking to make a contribution include junior post Haylie Bader, along with sophomores Kenzington Kleist, Savannah Liegel and Sophia Hansen. “I will be excited to see what roles they carve out as the season goes on,” Jacob Breunig said. The Eagles allowed just 42.3 points per game last year, and Breunig expects them to shine in that area again. Sauk Prairie did lose standout guards Erelyn Apel and Alexis Atkinsion to graduation, and Breunig knows they’ll be tough to replace. “We have a number of girls returning that have played varsity basketball which will help,” he said. “I know we will be solid on defense again as that is something we work on daily.   “I am concerned about how we pick up losses in ball handling and finishing this year. We continue to get good looks at the rim, but need to be consistent finishers.” Defending WIAA Division 3 state champion Madison Edgewood appears to be the team to beat in the league. Stoughton and Mount Horeb also appear quite strong. But Breunig believes his team has a chance to be in the mix for a league title — and other big things. “I believe that we can finish hopefully in the top half if we play how I believe we are capable,” he said.