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2018-19 Recap: 

McFarland captured the Rock Valley title with a 13-4 record. Evansville and East Troy tied for second, going 12-6, and were followed by Whitewater and Big Foot, that posted 10-8 records. Brodhead and Clinton tied for sixth, going 9-9 in the league, while Jefferson (7-10), Turner (7-11), and Edgerton (0-18) rounded out the conference standings. In the WIAA Playoffs, Brodhead and Jefferson were the last two teams eliminated. Brodhead fell to Belleville, 65-46, in a Division 4 regional final, and Jefferson dropped a 55-34 contest against Milton in a Division 2 regional final. 

2018-19 Season Information (Standings, Stats, All-Conference)

2019-20 Preview
Predicted Order of Finish:
1) Evansville  
2) McFarland
3) Whitewater 
4) Big Foot 
5) East Troy 
6) Clinton
7) Brodhead 
8) Turner 
9) Jefferson 
10) Edgerton 

Players to Watch: 

Paige Banks, sr., Evansville – Banks, a 5-foot-9 wing/forward, was voted Rock Valley Player of the Year as a junior; she averaged 17.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game.  

Kacie Carollo, jr., Whitewater – Carollo, a 5-foot-6 point guard, was named second-team all-Rock Valley as a sophomore; she averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. 

Reagan Courier, sr., Big Foot – Courier, a 5-foot-8 lefty guard, was voted first-team all-Rock Valley as a junior; averaging a conference-high 17.5 points per game, to go along with 4.4 rebounds, and 3.2 steals per game. She surpassed 1,000 career points last season. 

Abby Efftemoff, sr., Evansville – Efftemoff averaged 9.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game as a junior on her way to being selected second-team all-league. 

Olivia Ganser, sr., Jefferson – Ganser, a 5-foot-11 wing, is expected to miss the 2019-20 season after suffering a torn ACL while competing in track & field in the spring. She averaged 16.4 points and 7 rebounds per game on her way to being name first-team all-Rock Valley as a junior. 

Abby Grosinske, sr., Whitewater – Grosinske, a 5-foot-8 wing, averaged 11 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 3 steals per game as a junior, earning second-team all-league. 

Katie Hildebrandt, jr., McFarland – Hildebrandt, a 6-foot-1 forward, was chosen second-team all-conference as a sophomore, averaging 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game. Look for her scoring to increase this season. 

Liz Kalk, sr., Clinton – Kalk, a 5-foot-7 guard, received first-team all-league recognition as a junior; she averaged 13.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per contest as a junior. 

Grace Lomen, soph., East Troy – Lomen, a 5-foot-7 guard, was voted first-team all-Rock Valley as a freshman; she averaged 14.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.9 steals, and a block per game. Look for her scoring to take a jump this season.    

Lindsey Lonigro, jr., McFarland – Lonigro, a 5-foot-7 guard, will take on an expanded role this season; she averaged 8.9 points, 3 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest as a sophomore. 

Kiarra Moe, soph., Brodhead – Moe, a 5-foot-3 point guard, was named second-team all-conference as a freshman, averaging 13.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per contest. 

Olivia Tinder, jr., Turner – Tinder, a 5-foot-7 guard, was voted first-team all-conference as a sophomore; she averaged 14.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. 

2019-20 Team Previews: 

1) Evansville gets the nod to capture the Rock Valley title with the return of nearly its entire roster from last year’s team that finished second in the league and 14-10 overall. The Blue Devils will need to adjust to a new head coach this season as Tony Wiemiller replaces Tina Aasen. Highlighting the team is reigning Rock Valley Player of the Year Paige Banks, who averaged over 17 points per game last season. Other top returners are senior Abby Eftemoff, a second-team all-league choice, and junior Josie Rhinehart, who averaged 9.1 and 6.6 points per game, respectively. Other key returners are juniors Rachel Tofte and Taylor Acker, and senior McKenzie Fillner; that group will look to provide depth and complimentary scoring. Evansville opens the season with a challenging non-conference game at Oregon on November 19. The Blue Devils’ first meeting against McFarland is on December 10. 

2) McFarland captured the Rock Valley title with a 13-4 record and will compete for the league championship again this season. The Spartans welcome back eight letter-winners, but will need to fill the void left with the graduation of Annalise DeMuth and Ashley East, who combined to average over 19 points per game. Coach Sara Mallegni, the Rock Valley Coach of the Year last season, told WisSports.net that strengths include a solid group of juniors, strong young players, and two players coming back after injuries. Leading the way for the Spartans is 6-foot-1 junior Katie Hildebrandt, a second-team all-league selection, who averaged a team-high 11.4 points per game last season. Joining her as returning starters are Lindsey Lonigro (jr., 8.9 ppg) and Freya Gilbertson (sr., 7.9 ppg), who will take on expanded roles this season. Morgan Butler also returns as a key player; she averaged 6.2 points per game as a sophomore and will take on a larger role this season. Fellow junior Sydney Feldner returns from injury and will help with the Spartans’ depth. Additional player who are expected to contribute include seniors Kynaeda Gray, Libby Dommisse and Peyton Witt, junior Lydia Brandt, and sophomore Maddy Fortune. Freshman Adrienne Kirch will also be in the mix for playing time, according to coach Mallegni. McFarland opens the season with a non-conference game at home against Mount Horeb on November 19. The Spartans’ December schedule is challenging, with games against Oregon, Big Foot, Evansville, Whitewater, and East Troy. 

3) Whitewater finished tied for fourth in the league with Big Foot last season with a 10-8 record. The Whippets (13-11 overall) welcome back five of their top seven scorers, led by second-team all-conference selections in junior Kacie Carollo and senior Abby Grosinke, who averaged 13.3 and 11 points per game, respectively. Senior Cassidy Laue also returns as a top performer, netting just under 10 points per game last season. Other returners include senior Alyssa Schumacher, and juniors Catherine Skindingsrude, Elizabeth Katzman and Cora Linos. Whitewater’s first two games are against Big Foot (Nov. 22) and Evansville (Nov. 26). 

4) Big Foot welcomes back four starters from last year’s team that finished in the top half of the conference standings and posted a 12-12 overall record. “We will have to battle through nights and score by committee but hopefully can play well through those experiences,” coach Michael Dowden told WSN. He went on to say that everyone in the league is returning a number of players so each night will be a battle. “If we want to be one of the top teams, we will have to play well at home, steal some on the road, and avoid any major slip-ups along the way,” explained coach Dowden. Highlighting the Chiefs’ team is senior Reagan Courier, a first-team all-Rock Valley pick, who led the conference in scoring with 17.5 points per game last season. Joining her a returning starters are fellow seniors Abby Vandebogart  (6.5 ppg), Olivia Peterson (5.2 ppg) and Viola Larson (5 ppg). Other key returners are Lindsay Paulsen (sr., 5.6 ppg) and Lydia Larson (soph., 3.4 ppg). Additional returners include seniors Kaleigh Baxter and Izzy Chisamore, and juniors Sariah Tracy and Tess Gillingham. Big Foot opens the season with a challenging non-conference game at Lake Mills on November 19.  

5) East Troy might take a step back this season after finishing third in the Rock Valley (12-6) and 15-8 overall in 2018-19. The Trojans will need to fill the void left with the graduation of Erin Rice and MacKenzie Lindow, who combined to average nearly 22 points per game last season. Coach Maurya Lomen told WisSports.net that they are now in year three of the system and players have bought in, and another strength is their team chemistry. “We will be strong defensively and our athleticism will help the pace that we like to play at,” said coach Lomen. The Trojans welcome back eight letter-winners, headlined by sophomore Grace Lomen, a first-team all-league selection, who averaged a team-high 14.9 points per game. Joining her as returning starters are juniors Gracie Moker (6.2 ppg) and Emma Scurek (4 ppg); that duo will look to take a step forward this season. Others who will take on expanded roles this season include juniors Adeline Lomen (4.6 ppg) and Morgan Golabowski (3.8 ppg). Additional players who are expected to contribute include juniors Emily Aleckson and Maggie Donegan, and sophomore Riley Pluess. East Troy opens the season with a non-conference game at Pius XI Catholic on November 19. 

6) Clinton finished tied for sixth in the league last season and posted a 13-11 overall record. The Cougars will compete for a spot in the top half of the standings with the return of the majority of last year’s roster. Highlighting the squad is senior Liz Kalk, a first-team all-conference selection, who averaged 13.7 points per game last season. Joining Kalk as top returners are seniors Hannah Welte (9.8 ppg) and Addyson (9.7 ppg), and junior Olivia Roehl (9.1 ppg). Other notable returners include Elli Teubert (soph.) and Elyssa Pope (sr.). Clinton opens Rock Valley play at home against East Troy on November 22. 

7) Brodhead returns three starters from its 2018-19 team that finished 9-9 in the Rock Valley and 13-10 overall. Top loss to graduation was Alexis Oliver, who averaged just under 10 points per game last season. Coach Brian Kammerer enters the year with 148 career wins, and has posted a 78-45 record as the girls’ coach at Brodhead. Coach Kammerer told WSN that they return a young squad willing to work hard and make them more competitive. “Team depth may be a strength where team height and scoring will be a concern at times,” he added. Headlining the squad is Kiarra More, a second-team all-league selection, who averaged 13.3 points per game as a freshman. Joining her as returning starters are Carissa Purdue (sr.) and Madisyn Kail (soph.), who each averaged 7.5 points per game last season. Other returning letter-winners include sophomores Onnikah Oliver and Joie Steinmann, and junior Maddy McIntyre. Additional players who are expected to contribute include sophomores Emaleigh McNeece and Tori Urness, and freshman Abbie Dix. Brodhead moves up to Division 3 for the WIAA Playoffs after competing in Division 4 last season. 

8) Turner welcomes back four starters from its 2018-19 team that went 7-11 in the league and 9-14 overall. Highlighting the group is junior Olivia Tinder, a first-team all-league pick, who led them in scoring (14.2), rebounds (7.9) and assists (3) per game. Coach Nicholas Faralli told WSN that they struggled at times to score consistently last season. “For us to take the next step we need to become more consistent on the offensive side of the floor.” Joining Tinder as returning starters are Marlee Young (6.4 ppg), Jenn Njoo (sr., 7.7 ppg) and Sabrina Fitzgerald (jr., 4 ppg). Other returning letter-winners include seniors Baylee Windsor and Kyra Puleo, and juniors Peyton Hasse, A'Blessin Wilson and Tairyin Klossner.  

9) Jefferson will be in rebuilding mode this season. The Eagles (12-12, 7-10 last season) will need to replace three starters, including first-team all-league pick Olivia Ganser who suffered a torn ACL in the spring; she averaged 16.4 points per game as a junior. They will also have a new head coach for the second consecutive season with Mark Peterson taking over the program. Coach Peterson told WisSports.net that they have experience returning, but they will be young. “We will have to rely on great defense and timely scoring to be competitive.” Returning as starters for the Eagles are juniors Ainsley Howard and Josie Peterson, who averaged 9.3 and 4.7 points per game, respectively. Eight other letter-winners return, including juniors Sophie Peterson and Claire Beck, and sophomores Riley Madden and Abby Helmink, among others. Freshman Aiyanna Johnson is also expected to contribute. 

10) Edgerton went winless in the Rock Valley and 1-22 overall last season. “Still very young, but we are adding much needed athletes and better skill players,” coach Mike Schmidt told WSN. He added that they will compete at a higher level this season. The Crimson Tide welcome back four starters, led by sophomore Kate Fox Gunderson, who averaged 8.8 points per game last season. Joining Gunderson as top returners are Cassidy Danks (sr., 4.4 ppg) and Carly Rebman (jr., 3.6 ppg). Other returning letter-winners include Grace Schuman (sr.) and Lauren Radtke (jr.), Hannah Zeimet (soph.) and Hailey Johnson (soph.).