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2022-23 Recap

Kickapoo (22-6 overall) captured the Ridge & Valley title with a 13-1 record. The Panthers advanced to Division 5 sectionals, falling to Belmont, 34-24. Wauzeka-Steuben (17-9) finished in second place (12-2) and reached a D5 regional final, dropping a 47-40 contest against Belmont. Ithaca (16-10) took third in the conference and reached a D5 regional final, losing to Kickapoo, 59-37. La Farge (14-11) finished 8-6 in the Ridge & Valley, followed by North Crawford (5-19, 5-9) and Seneca (4-19, 4-10), while Weston (3-20, 2-12), and De Soto (2-23, 1-13) rounded out the standings. 

2022-23 Season Information (Standings, Stats, and All-Conference)

2023-24 Preview 

Note: Weston will not be playing a varsity schedule. 

Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Wauzeka-Steuben
2. Kickapoo 
3. Ithaca 
4. La Farge 
5. North Crawford
6. De Soto 
7. Seneca

Players to Watch 

Gwenne Frederickson, jr., Kickapoo – Frederickson, a 5-9 wing/forward, has moved into a more prominent role this season for the Panthers. She tallied 7.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a freshman. 

Haily Gander, sr., Kickapoo – Gander, a 5-4 guard, received first-team all-Ridge & Valley honors as a junior. She averaged 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest last season. 

Cameron Hurda, sr., Wauzeka-Steuben – Hurda tallied 10 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, earning first-team all-conference last season as a junior. 

Kaylee Miller, sr., Ithaca – Miller was voted first-team all-conference as a junior. She averaged 7.5 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest for the Bulldogs. 

Elizabeth Stovey, sr., North Crawford – Stovey was named first-team all-Ridge & Valley as a junior for the Trojans. 

Kylee Venner, frosh., De Soto – Veneer is averaging 19.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game through seven games this season. 

Ally Wall, sr., Wauzeka-Steuben – Wall was named first-team all-league as a junior, averaging 10 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game for the Hornets. 

Kindale Williams, sr., La Farge – Williams, a 5-7 forward, was named first-team all-conference after averaging 16.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 4.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. 

2023-24 Team Previews 

1. Wauzeka-Steuben is the team to beat in the Ridge & Valley. The Hornets welcomed back four starters from the team that took second (12-2) in the league and 17-9 overall. “We have the majority of our players returning this season, as we were very young last year, and have a couple of girls moving up from JV that should be great contributors,” coach Ben McCullick told WisSports.net. Seniors Ally Wall and Cameron Hurda highlight the squad, each averaging 10 points per game last season. Joining them as returning starters are senior Morgan Berger and junior Kiley Manning. The Hornets have a deep squad with junior Emma Wall and sophomores Macy Mitchell and Isabella Bunders also playing key roles last season. Wauzeka-Steuben is 5-0 so far this season, earning Ridge & Valley wins over North Crawford (76-34), De Soto (73-41), and La Farge (65-14). The Hornets’ first meeting against defending conference champion Kcikappo isn’t until January 11. 

Returning Starters: Ally Wall (sr., 10 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.3 apg), Cameron Hurda (sr., 10 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2 spg), Morgan Berger (sr., 7.8 ppg, 2.2 spg), Kiley Manning (jr., 6.7 ppg, 2.6 apg, 3.6 spg) 
Other Returning Players: Emma Wall (jr., 7 rpg, 4.9 rpg, 3.2 apg), Macy Mitchell (soph., 6.7 ppg), Isabella Bunders (soph., 6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Newcomers: Elizabeth Wright (soph.), Natalie Wright (soph.)

2. Kickapoo brought back two starters from its 2022-23 squad that claimed the Ridge & Valley championship, going 13-1, and reaching Division 5 sectionals, ending the season with a 22-6 record. Eric Wiegel has compiled a 336-278 record in 27 years at the helm, including guiding the Panthers to a state tournament appearance in 2005. Coach Wiegel told WSN that guard play, athleticism, and defense are their strengths, while size is their main weakness. The Panthers’ top returnees are senior Hailey Gander and junior Gwenne Frederickson, while other key returning players include Autumn Jacks (sr.) and Jadence Nagel (jr.). Kickapoo is 7-2 so far this season, posting league wins over De Soto (51-25) and Seneca (67-30), while dropping a 45-38 contest against Ithaca. 

Returning Starters: Hailey Gander (5-4, sr., 7.4 ppg), Autumn Jacks (sr., 3.9 ppg) 
Other Returning Players: Gwenne Frederickson (5-9, jr., 7.8 ppg), Jadence Nagel (5-6, jr., 5.6 ppg), Abby Oliver (5-4, sr.), Lexi Kaiser (5-6, sr.), Michaela Cauffman (5-5, jr.), Anika Wastlick (5-4, jr.)
Newcomers: Tiernee Arndt (5-7, soph.), Morgan Wiitanen (5-4, soph.), Breylyn Culver (5-4, soph.) 

3. Ithaca returned the majority of its top players from last year’s team that finished third (11-3) in the Ridge & Valley and 16-10 overall. Senior Kaylee Miller leads the group of returning players, while Tristen Peterson and Josie Laue also return as key contributors. The group of newcomers includes freshman Jacey Maxwell who has been a key player since her first game. Ithaca is 4-3 in the early season; in Ridge and Valley games, they are 1-1, beating Kickapoo (45-38) and losing to La Farge (57-45). 

Top Returning Players: Kaylee Miller (sr., 7.5 ppg), Tristen Peterson (sr., 5.9 ppg), Josie Laue (sr., 4.6 ppg)
Other Notable Returning Players: Alyssa Mueller (jr., jr.), Kaylee Peterson (sr.), Maggie Kershner (jr.), Alyvia Young (sr.) 
Newcomers: Brooklyn Dickey (soph.), Kaylee Manning (frosh.), Jacey Maxwell (frosh.) 

4. La Farge welcomed back four starters from its team that went 8-6 in the Ridge & Valley and 14-11 overall last season. The Wildcats will need to fill the void left with the graduation of conference player of the year Maddy Benson, who led the R&V in points (22.2), assists (5.5), and steals (6.7) per game last season. La Farge head coach Philip Benson, who has a 127-229 record in 14 years at the helm, told WSN their strength is having eight returning varsity players and losing just one starter. Senior Kindale Williams highlights the squad, finishing second in the league in scoring (16.5 ppg) last season. 

Returning Starters: Kindale Williams (5-7, sr., 16.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 4.2 spg, 1.4 bpg), Brielle Hansen (5-5, jr., 2.2 spg), Kristen Wood (5-7, sr., 2 apg, 2 spg), Emily Potter (5-6, sr., 2 spg) 
Other Returning Players: Gracie Orton (6-0, sr.), Kaydence Lawrence (5-6, jr.), Riley Grefe (5-9, frosh.), Makayla Coggins (5-7, frosh.), Sam Coggins (5-7, frosh.), Chelsey Huebsch (5-7, frosh.) 

5. North Crawford returned three starters from last year’s team that finished 5-9 in the conference and 5-19 overall. Second-year head coach Jackie Petit told WSN they have a large group of girls returning with some more experience. “We are also hoping to get an injured player back this season.” Senior Elizabeth Stovey highlights the Trojans’ roster. 

Returning Starters: Elizabeth Stovey (sr.), Sophie Ambrose (sr.), Sarah Bransky (sr.) 
Other Returning Players: Alle Chamberlain (jr.), Anna Chamberlain (jr.), Livhe Chamberlain (jr.)

6. De Soto brought back two starters from its 2022-23 team that finished 1-13 in the league and 2-23 overall. Second-year head coach Dale Piurkowski told WisSports.net they are looking forward to improving on last year’s record. “We'll have five freshmen one sophomore and two juniors for a total of eight girls, so needless to say we're inexperienced but we'll have a great desire to improve as the season progresses.” Sophomore Ella Koch is the Pirates’ top returnee. Their group of newcomers is led by freshman Kylee Venner who has already made an impact. 

Returning Starters: Ella Koch (5-3, soph., 7.5 ppg), Sascha Doll (jr.)
Other Returning Players: Lillian Zink (5-0, jr.)
Newcomers: Kylee Venner (frosh.), Makenna Gilman (frosh.), Lena Isbell (frosh.), Sylvia Krueger (frosh.) 

7. Seneca has a whole new starting five this season. The Royals, 4-19 overall and 4-10 in the Ridge & Valley, also had a change at the top, Brianna Brockway was named to lead the program, replacing longtime coach Kim Redman. 

Returning Players: Lydia West (jr.), Maya Buffington (jr.), Kylie Chambers (jr.), Hayven Smethurst (jr.), Camryn Lenzendorf (soph.), Dhyllan Kemp (soph.), Nadia Klema (sr.), Aylah Baker (soph.)
Newcomers: Rita Sime (frosh.), Emma Manning (frosh.), Jace Grimsled (frosh.) 

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