Eagles’ girls picked for third
Editors Note: This preview of the Big Eight Conference girls basketball season was compiled by Wissports.net.
RECAP
McFarland (22-6 overall) won the Badger Small championship with an unblemished 14-0 record. The Spartans finished one win away from the WIAA State Tournament, falling to West Salem, 65-61, in a Division 2 sectional final.
Edgewood (27-3) took second place, going 12-2, and went on to claim the Division 3 state championship, defeating Xavier, 55-52, in the state title game. Reedsburg (18-8) finished third in the league, posting a 9-5 record, followed by Stoughton (12-14) and Sauk Prairie (13-12), which each went 7-7. Mount Horeb (8-18, 5-9), Baraboo (3-22, 2-12), and Portage (1-24, 0-14) closed out the Badger Small standings.
Players to Watch
Ava Brings, sr., Sauk Prairie – Brings, a 5-11 forward, averaged 7.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game as a junior for the Eagles.
Ella Hamacher, sr., Stoughton – Hamacher, a 5-9 guard, was voted first-team all-Badger Small last season. The NCAA Division III Edgewood College recruit averaged 15 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Mallory Hartwig, jr., Sauk Prairie – Hartwig, a 5-11 wing, contributed 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game as a sophomore for the Eagles.
Addison Meister, sr., Reedsburg – Meister, a 5-5 guard, will take on a leading role this season. She scored 10.1 points per game last season as a junior for the Beavers.
Anna Miller, soph., Edgewood – Miller, a 5-8 guard, was voted unanimous first-team all-Badger Small and WBCA all-state last season as a freshman. The NCAA Division I prospect averaged 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Miller shot 45-for-93 from 3-point land.
Courtney Monroe, soph., Mount Horeb – Monroe, a 5-7 guard, contributed 6.5 points per game for the Vikings as a freshman.
Morgan Monroe, sr., Mount Horeb – Monroe, a 5-9 guard, averaged a team-best 11 points per game for the Vikings as a junior.
Erin Schauer, sr., Edgewood – Schauer, a 5-9 guard, was named first-team all-conference and WBCA all-state last season for the Division 3 state champs. She averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per contest with 30 three-pointers made. Schauer has helped Edgewood to a 41-15 record over the last two seasons
Maren Schmotzer, sr., Edgewood – Schmotzer, a 6-2 forward, contributed 5.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game last season for the Division 3 state champions. Maren is committed to NCAA Division I Northern Iowa.
Elizabeth Stokes, sr., Stoughton – Stokes, a 5-7 guard, tallied 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game for the Vikings last season.
Gretchen Tangeman, sr., Stoughton – Tangeman, a 6-0 forward, contributed 7.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per contest last season for the Vikings.
Beanie Thompson, soph., Edgewood – Thompson, a 5-9 guard, will take on a more prominent role this season. She averaged 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a freshman for the Division 3 state champions.
2024-25 Previews
1) Edgewood
The Crusaders are the clear favorites to win the Badger Small. Edgewood returns three starters and its top reserve from last year’s team, which finished second (12-2) in the conference and went on to claim the WIAA Division 3 state championship, ending the season with a 27-3 record.
WBCA Hall of Fame head coach Lora Staveness, in year 32, has compiled a 487-260 record, including guiding the Crusaders to two WIAA state titles. Coach Staveness told WSN that their strengths include chemistry, leadership, depth, athleticism, and basketball IQ, while areas of growth include rebounding, shooting, and turnovers.
Division I prospect Anna Miller, who led the team in scoring and three-point shooting last season, headlines the Crusaders’ roster. Erin Schauer and Maren Schmotzer, a D-I Northern Iowa recruit, join Miller as returning starters.
Beanie Thompson, third on the team in scoring last season, is another top returnee for the Crusaders.
Edgewood, which moves to Division 2 this season, is in the same sectional as West Salem (state qualifier last season), which it could meet in a sectional final. Edgewood is the top-ranked team in the Division 2 WSN Preseason Rankings.
Returning Starters: Anna Miller (5-8, soph., 13.7 ppg, 45 3PM, 2.1 apg, 2 spg), Erin Schauer (5-9, sr., 10.4 ppg, 30 3PM, 2.2 spg), Maren Schmotzer (6-2, sr., 5.4 rpg, 6.6 rpg),
Other Returning Players: Beanie Thompson (5-9, soph., 8.4 ppg, 5 rpg), Mya Tomlinson (5-10, sr.), Agapi Gialamas (5-6, sr.), Makayla Foley (5-5, sr.), Georgia Caulum (5-6, sr.), Lauren Bartelme (5-4, sr.), Macey Faust (5-6, jr.)
Newcomers: Alex Moschkau (5-8, jr.), Maggie Iglar (jr.), Eva Akpandja (6-0, soph.) Siena Rabach (frosh.), Veronica Seiz (frosh.)
Starters Lost: Taya Fernandez (6.8 ppg), Lilly Moschkau.
2) Stoughton
The Vikings return four starters from last year’s squad, which finished 7-7 in the conference and 12-14 overall. Brad Pickett, who’s posted a 291-179 record in 20 years as a head coach, has a 142-96 record in 10 years at Stoughton which includes a Division 2 state runner-up finish in 2016.
Pickett told WisSports.net that experience and rebounding are strengths.
“We have to be better defensively this year,” he noted.
Edgewood College recruit Ella Hamacher, who led the team in scoring last season, headlines the Vikings’ roster. Other top returnees are Elizabeth Stokes and Gretchen Tangeman. Rounding out the group of returning starters is Gracie Schmidt.
Returning Starters: Ella Hamacher (5-9, sr., 15 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 apg, 1.5 spg), Elizabeth Stokes (5-7, sr., 8.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.8 spg), Gretchen Tangeman (6-0, sr., 7.2 ppg, 9.2 pg), Gracie Schmidt (5-6, sr., 6 ppg, 37 3PM)
Other Returning Players: Kianna Karlen (5-8, jr., 3.8 ppg), Ella Maag (5-8, jr.), Marlie Burke (5-8, jr.), Sammy Opitz (5-10, sr.), Kiera Vesterdahl (5-8, sr.), Kiley Widish (5-7, sr.)
Newcomers: Becca Royston (5-8, jr.), Meadow Sawicki (5-7, jr.), Joy Johnson (5-9, jr.), Emma Trautsch (5-7, frosh.)
Starters Lost: Natiya Ballard (5.3 ppg)
3) Sauk Prairie
The Eagles bring back three starters from their 2023-24 squad, which went 7-7 in the Badger Small and 13-12 overall. Fifth-year head coach Jacob Breunig, 46-29 record, told WisSports.net that experience, defense, and balanced scoring are strengths, while finishing and a winning mindset are weaknesses.
Mallory Hartwig and Ava Brings lead the group of returning players. Gracyn Meyer also returns as a starter for the Eagles.
Returning Starters: Mallory Hartwig (5-11, jr., 8.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.3 apg), Ava Brings (5-11, sr., 7.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 spg), Gracyn Meyer (6-1, sr., 2.8 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Kennedy Breunig (5-7, sr., returning from ACL injury), Brooklyn Kaufman (5-7, jr., 1.8 apg, 1.8 spg), Macee Gulden (5-9, sr.), Audrey Brickl (5-4, soph.), Haylie Bader (5-11, jr.), Savannah Liegel (5-6, soph.)
Newcomers: Kenzington Kleist (5-6, soph.)
Starters Lost: Erelyn Apel, Alexis Atkinson.
4) Mount Horeb
The Vikings return two of their top three scorers from last year’s team, which finished 5-9 in the league and 8-18 overall. Third-year head coach Bart Leibfried told WSN that athleticism and speed are strengths, while inexperience and lack of size are weaknesses.
Morgan Monroe, the team’s leading scorer last season, highlights the Vikings’ returning group. Courtney Monroe is another top returnee while Hallie Klein and Maren Johnson are other notable returning players.
Returning Starters: Morgan Monroe (5-8, sr., 11 ppg), Courtney Monroe (5-7, soph., 6.5 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Hallie Klein (5-4, sr., 5.2 ppg), Maren Johnson (5-8, soph., 4.4 ppg), Nalia Craven (5-8, jr.), Maddie Niemetscheck (5-6, soph.)
Newcomers: Anneli Wik (5-9, jr.), Delania Nicewander (5-8, jr.), Avery Monroe (5-7, soph.), Magali Forlines (5-7, soph.), Julia Straka (5-7, soph.), Sammy Johnson (5-7, soph.), Lauren Mester (5-4, frosh.)
Starters Lost: Rowan Johnson (6.6 ppg), Ella Fager (4.5 ppg), Jada Mathews, Ava Kolb.
5) Reedsburg
The Beavers return several contributors from last year’s team, which finished third (9-5) in the Badger Small and 18-8 overall. The Beavers will need to fill the void left with the graduation of Sydney Cherney (Badger Small Co-Player of the Year), who led the state with 34 points per game last season and was a three-time WBCA all-state selection.
Mark Simon, 19th year as head coach, has a 311-127 record which includes guiding the Beavers to three trips to the WIAA State Tournament (D2 state runner-up in 2021). Addie Meister, second on the team in scoring last season, will take on a leading role for Reedsburg. Other notable returnees include Maddy Casey and Naomi Benish.
Returnees: Addie Meister (5-5, sr., 10.1 ppg), Maddy Casey (5-5, sr., 6.5 ppg), Naomi Benish (5-8, sr., 6 ppg), Hayden Purifoy (5-4, soph.), Sam Laffey (5-6, jr.)
Newcomers: Maddie Miller (5-6, jr.), Alayna Olson (5-4, jr.), Lorelei Williams (5-9, frosh.), Sydney Olson (5-5, frosh.), Lily Engel (5-8, frosh.), Laine Delkamp (5-8, frosh.)
Notable Losses: Sydney Cherney (34 ppg), Brynn Mikonowicz.
6) McFarland
The Spartans lost nearly all of their scoring from last year’s team, which went unbeaten in the Badger Small and was 22-6 overall, ending the season one win away from the WIAA State Tournament.
The Spartans’ biggest loss in graduation was Teagan Mallegni (Badger Small Co-Player of the Year), a three-time WBCA all-state selection, who is now playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Sara Mallegni, eighth year as head coach, has a 98-45 record, including guiding the Spartans to a trip to the state tournament in 2023.
Coach Mallegni told WSN that they are returning some experience but have a young roster.
“Our returning seniors Kate Mender and Riley Bickelhaupt will lead our roster with the most varsity played the last two seasons,” she said.
Hannah Kirch, who didn’t play last season, is back and will be a key player for the Spartans.
Returning Starters: None
Other Returning Players: Riley Bickelhaupt (5-10, sr.), Brooke DeShong (5-10, soph.), Kate Mender (5-6, sr.), Charlie Lueder (5-4, soph.)
Newcomers: Hannah Kirch (5-4, jr., didn’t play last season), Hallie Staplemann (jr.), Emma Moran (jr.), Ava Roder (5-8, soph.) Annabell Willenbucher (5-9, soph.), Greysyn Gray (5-7, soph.), Abby Repenshek (5-8, soph.), Laylaa Peterson (5-3, frosh.), Kylie Ganshert (5-6, frosh.)
Starters Lost: Teagan Mallegni (27.3 ppg), Ava Dean (13.8 ppg), Brynn Kirch (9.2 ppg), Hailey Testolin (7.9 ppg), Elise Freeman (5.1 ppg).
7) Baraboo
The Thunderbirds return four players with starting experience from last year’s team, which went 2-12 in the league and 3-22 overall. Michael Behl, who has a 79-192 record in 10 years as head coach, told WisSports.net that their young talented core, many of which helped lead the JV to an 18-4 record, is ready to take flight at the varsity level.
“As they acclimate to the increased speed and physicality of varsity competition, we expect to see significant improvement throughout the season,” Behl said.
Madilyn Gilbert, the team’s second-leading scorer and top three-point shooter last season, will take on a leading role for the Thunderbirds.
Returning Starters: Madilyn Gilbert (jr., 5.9 ppg, 42 3PM), Taylor Sperl (soph., 4.2 ppg), Kadence Funmaker (sr., 4 ppg, 3.6 apg), Bella Brown (jr.)
Other Returning Players: Taylynn Bell (soph.), Peyton Stelzer (jr.), Leah Hess (sr.)
Newcomers: Sydney Dobush (soph.), Sabrina Hartmann (jr.), Ella Pierce (jr.), Aleah Gross (frosh.)
Starters Lost: Caitlyn Frank (17.6 ppg), Daesha Whyte (5.8 ppg), Bianca Brown.
8) Portage
The Warriors (1-24 overall last season) enter the year with a 53-game Badger Conference losing streak. First-year head coach Addison Hemming, who served as an assistant coach in the program for the past four years, told WSN that they have a deeper bench than previous seasons.
“[We have] five seniors on varsity since their sophomore year and juniors with valuable varsity experience,” Hemming said.
Returning Starters: Joseaniliz Nieves Cruz (5-4, sr.), Josie Cross (5-8, sr.), Amira Khan (5-10, sr.), Delaney Popp (5-8, sr.)
Other Returning Players: Jillian Maass (5-8, sr.), Lilianna Beard (5-7, sr.), Trinity Williams (5-6, jr.), Mati Holtan Hannah Foley (5-10, jr.)
Newcomers: Aubrie Kinzler (5-8, jr.), Matilynn Holtan (5-9, jr.), Lyla Brown (5-4, soph.), Julia Chilson (5-8, soph.)
Starters Lost: Hannah Kallungi
