2023-24 Recap
Whitehall (15-9) won the Dairyland Large with an 8-5 record. Blair-Taylor (11-15) and Melrose-Mindoro (14-12) tied for second, going 7-6, while Eleva-Strum (5-18, 2-11) and Augusta (3-21, 0-13) rounded out the conference standings.
Cochrane-Fountain City (25-2) won the Dairyland Small title with a perfect 13-0 record. The Pirates ended the year one win away from the WIAA State Tournament, dropping a 59-46 contest against eventual Division 5 state runner-up Argyle/Pecatonica. Independence/Gilmanton (19-8) finished in second place, going 11-2, followed by Alma/Pepin (13-10, 7-6) and Alma Center Lincoln (14-11, 6-7). Rounding out the league standings, Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran (8-11, 4-9).
2023-24 Season Information (Standings, Stats, and All-Conference)
2024-25 Conference Preview
Note: Independence is now in the Dairyland Large, switching spots with Blair-Taylor. Osseo-Fairchild, formerly a member of the Cloverbelt West, joins the Dairyland Large.
Predicted Order of Finish
1) Independence/Gilmanton
2) Eleva-Strum
3) Whitehall
4) Melrose-Mindoro
5) Osseo-Fairchild
6) Augusta
Players to Watch
Trinity Aasen, sr., Whitehall – Aasen, a 5-10 guard, contributed 7.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game, receiving second-team all-Dairyland.
Avery Glenz, soph., Eleva-Strum – Glenz, a 5-10 guard, averaged 14 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game as a freshman, earning first-team all-conference.
Arabelle Kniseley, jr., Independence/Gilmanton – Kniseley, a 5-5 guard, was voted first-team all-Dairyland last season, averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.3 steals per game.
Hailie Knudtson, sr., Osseo-Fairchild – Knudtson, a 5-8 guard, will take on a leading role this season for the Thunder.
Nora Schank, soph., Independence/Gilmanton – Schank, a 5-6 guard, took home second-team all-conference as a freshman, averaging 8.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3.8 steals per contest.
Makiyah Scow, jr., Independence/Gilmantown – Scow, a 5-8 forward, tallied 8.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, earning second-team all-league.
Cooper Zeman, jr., Melrose-Mindoro – Zeman, a 5-7 point guard, received second-team all-Dairyland as a sophomore, averaging 8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.
2024-25 Team Previews
1) Independence/Gilmanton is the team to beat in the Dairyland Large. The co-op returns three starters from their team which finished second (11-2) in the Dairyland Small and reached a Division 5 regional final, ending the season with a 19-8 record. John ZIlla, who has a 362-191 record in 23 years at the helm, told WSN they have a very quick and athletic team. “We will rely on our defense to carry us early on.” Coach ZIlla added that their weakness is youth and perimeter shooting. Arabelle Kniseley, third in the Dairyland Small in scoring last season, headlines the roster for Independence/Gilmanton. They open the season with a Dairyland crossover contest at Alma Center Lincoln on November 21.
Returning Starters: Arabelle Kniseley (5-5, jr., 12.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.3 spg), Makiyah Scow (5-8, jr., 8.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.3 spg), Nora Schank (5-6, soph., 8.9 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 3.8 spg)
Other Returning Players: Catherine Kampa (5-7, soph.), Sophia Kampa (5-5, soph.), Shauna Dejno (5-11, soph.), Avery Halama (5-4, jr.), Taylor Sylla (5-8, jr.), Madyson Turner (5-7, jr.)
Newcomers: Riehlynn Sheahan (frosh.), Sarah Roskos (soph.)
Starters Lost: Adison Pronschinske (6.2 ppg), Kassidi Dejno (5-8, sr., 5.6 ppg, not playing this season)
2) Eleva-Strum will look to make a jump in the Dairyland Large standings after going 2-11 in the league and 5-18 overall last season. The Cardinals had a change at the top in the offseason, former Cadott head coach Dave Hazuga was named head coach. Eleva-Strum returns its top four scorers, highlighted by Avery Glenz, the second-leading scorer in the conference last season. The Cardinals’ first meeting against Independence/Gilmanton is on December 17.
Notable Returnees: Avery Glenz (5-10, soph., 14 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2 apg, 2.2 spg), Aliza Kulig (jr., 7.3 ppg), Avaya Zwiefelhofer (soph., 7 ppg), Maddea Brown (soph.), Avery Spangberg (soph.)
Notable Losses: Annika Skoug, Kassidy Koxlien
3) Whitehall is the defending Dairyland Large champion. The Norse will need to replace two of their top three scorers, including the league’s top scorer Olivia Killian, from last year’s squad which went 8-5 in the league and 15-9 overall. Whitehall opens Dairyland play at home against Eleva-Strum on November 21.
Notable Returnees: Kyla Lambeck (5-5, jr., 9 ppg, 2.2 spg), Trinity Aasen (5-10, sr., 7.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.3 apg), Aryana Ausderau (5-10, jr., 4.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Haili Sluga (5-4, sr.), Kelsie Klomsten (5-6, jr.)
Notable Losses: Olivia Killian (15.3 ppg), Alexis Correa (8 ppg)
4) Melrose-Mindoro brings back three starters from its 2023-24 team which went 7-6 in the Dairyland Large and 14-12 overall. Fourth-year head coach Chris Radcliffe told WSN they will be young with only three seniors and just one with varsity experience. The Mustangs open the season against Osseo-Fairchild, the newest member of the Dairyland, on November 21.
Returning Starters: Anna Radcliffe (5-5, jr., 10.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.6 spg), Cooper Zeman (5-7, jr., 8.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.6 spg), Calysta Bautch (5-7, jr., 5.5 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Opal Buchanan (5-7, jr.), Cortney Nicolai (5-9, sr.), Lydia Tracy (5-9, jr.)
Newcomers: Bella Rozek (soph.), Bristol Coats (soph.)
Starters Lost: Claire Becker (9.5 ppg)
5) Osseo-Fairchild graduated several contributors from last year’s team which went 8-6 in the Cloverbelt West and 14-12 overall. Ben Mueller was named the Thunder's new head coach, their third leader in as many years.
Notable Returnees: Hailie Knudtson (sr.), Bryssa Johnson (sr.), Myrisa Pettis (sr.)
Notable Losses: Addisyn Koxlien, Chloe Gunderson, Hanna Giacomino, Halle Colby
6) Augusta went winless in the Dairyland and 3-21 overall last season. The good news for the Beavers is that they return all of their top players from last year’s team.
Notable Returnees: Stella Zank (soph., 11.3 ppg), Cecelia Schroeder (soph., 10.7 ppg), Brooklyn Krueger (soph., 7.4 ppg), Aubrey Korger (5-4, sr.), Ellie Halverson (5-8, jr.), Nyaeli Schloeneger (5-9, jr.)
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