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2023-24 Recap

Phillips (24-3 overall) claimed the Marawood North title with a 15-1 record. The Loggers’ lone league loss was a crossover contest versus Assumption (Marawood South champ). Phillips reached a Division 4 sectional semifinal, losing to McDonell Central, 78-46. Athens (18-10) finished in second place, going 13-3, followed by Abbotsford (13-12) which posted a 7-9 record. Prentice (10-16, 4-12), Rib Lake (9-16, 4-12), and Chequamegon (4-21, 0-16) rounded out the conference standings. 

2023-24 Season Information (Standings, Stats, and All-Conference)

2024-25 Conference Preview 

Predicted Order of Finish 

1) Phillips 
2) Rib Lake 
3) Prentice
4) Athens 
5) Abbotsford 
6) Chequamegon

Players to Watch

Danica Diethelm, sr., Athens – Diethelm, a guard, will take on a leading role after averaging 6.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game last season. 

Mataya Eckert, sr., Phillips – Eckert, a 5-9 guard, was named unanimous first-team all-Marawood North last season. She averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 4.5 steals per contest. Mataya, who shot 44-for-97 from 3-point land last season, enters her senior year with 1,028 career points. 

Madyson Ernst, soph., Chequamegon – Ernst, a guard, was named second-team all-conference as a freshman, averaging 8.5 points and 2.5 steals per game.  

Kali Heikkinen, sr., Prentice – Heikkinen, a forward, was voted unanimous first-team all-Marawood North last season. She averaged 17.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. 

Sarah Knaack, sr., Philips – Knaack, a 5-4 guard, will take on an expanded role after averaging 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game last season.  

Tessa Weik, jr., Rib Lake – Weik, a forward, tallied 8.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per contest last season for the Redmen. 

2024-25 Team Previews 

1) Phillips has captured at least a share of the last five Marawood North championships and is the team to beat in 2024-25. The Loggers return two starters from their team which finished 15-1 in the conference and advanced to a Division 4 sectional, ending the season with a 24-3 record. Their lone conference loss was a Marawood crossover contest against Assumption. Mike Eggebrecht, who has a 148-72 record in nine years at the helm, told WSN that speed is a strength while experience and shooting are weaknesses. Mataya Eckert, the team’s second-leading scorer last season, will move into a featured role for the Loggers. Phillips opens its season at home against Prentice on November 21. 

Returning Starters: Mataya Eckert (5-9, sr., 19.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.9 apg, 4.5 spg), Sarah Knaack (5-4, sr., 5.8 ppg, 2.6 apg, 2 spg)
Other Returning Players: Kendra Timmers (5-7, sr.), Lilly Miller (5-6, sr.), Kacie Quinnell (5-5, sr.) 
Newcomers: Raelee William (jr.), Anna Belan (jr.). Leah Harper (jr.) 

Starters Lost: Kacy Eggebrecht (21.1 ppg), Brooke Eckert (8 ppg), Halle Lehman

2) Rib Lake will look to make a jump in the Marawood North standings after going 4-12 in the conference and 9-16 overall. Second-year head coach Austin Edwards told WisSports.net that they have a lot of returning speed and are gaining two 6-foot-2 freshmen. Tessa Weik leads the group of returnees. Rib Lake begins the season with a non-league game against Columbus Catholic on opening night (Nov. 19). The Redmen’s first meeting against Phillips isn’t until January 7. 

Returning Starters: Tessa Weik (5-9, jr., 8.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg), Addison Gumz (5-3, jr., 7.5 ppg), Avery Niemi (5-7, jr., 5.2 rpg), Tahlia Scheithauer (5-3, jr.)  
Other Returning Players: Kiana Dallmann (5-3, sr.), Isabelle Gumz (5-4, sr.), Madalyn Dallmann (soph.), Madi Blomberg (5-6, jr.) 
Newcomers: Megan Komarek (6-2, frosh.), Maddie Anderson (6-2, frosh.)

Starters Lost: Josie Scheithauer (8.7 ppg) 

3) Prentice welcomes back several contributors from its 2023-24 team which finished 4-12 in the conference and 10-16 overall. Kali Heikkinen, the fourth-leading scorer in the Marawood North last season, highlights the Buccaneers’ roster. They begin league play at Philips on November 21.

Notable Returnees: Kali Heikkinen (sr., 17.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 3.2 spg), Abby Schuetz (sr.), Kylie Orysen (jr.), Ashlyn Englund (jr.), Luca Blomberg (soph.), Lauren Gieger (soph.)  

Notable Losses: Leah Nehls (6.2 ppg), Lydia Harding (5.2 ppg) 

4) Athens will need to replace its top three scorers from last year’s team which went 13-3 in the Marawood North and reached a Division 5 sectional, ending the season with an 18-10 record. Mike Baer, who has a 36-73 record as a head coach, enters his first season as the Bluejays’ head coach. “[Our] Returning starters and letter-winners will have to take leadership roles and help develop the newcomers,” coach Baer told WSN. Danica Diethelm highlights the group of returning players for the Bluejays. 

Returning Starters: Danica Diethelm (sr., 6.8 ppg, 2.4 spg),  Bailey Hanke (sr., 2.2 spg),
Other Returning Players: Ava Ford (jr.) 
Newcomers: Brianna Sheahan (sr.), McKenzie Belter (sr.), Vanessa Espinoza-Quiroz (jr.), Ellis Baer (soph.), Katey DenOtter (jr.), McKenna Lepak (jr.) 

Starters Lost: Sophia Coker (20.8 ppg), Jazelle Hartwig (12.4 ppg), Sydney Coker 

5) Abbotsford will need to fill the void left with the graduation of its top four scorers from last year’s team which finished 7-9 in the Marawood North and 13-12 overall. The Falcons open conference play at Athens on November 21. 

Notable Returnees: Neveah Treankler (sr., 4.3 ppg), Azul Diaz Miranda (sr.), Celia Schindler (jr.), Asia Atkinson (jr.) 

Notable Losses: Sydney Falteisek (11.9 ppg), Sommer Brodhagen (9.4 ppg), Briseida Escalera 

6) Chequamegon will look to end its 46-game Marawood losing streak with the return of four starters from last year’s team which finished the year 4-21 overall. Second-year head coach Stephanie Ernst told WSN that their team strengths are quickness and grit. “We are a young team, but all of our returnees have varsity experience.” 

Returning Starters: Madyson Ernst (soph., 8.5 ppg, 2.5 spg), Jalen Brunell (soph., 7.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Kaydence McKuen (soph.),  Adison Bablick (5-3, jr.) 
Other Returning Players: Clare Yunk (sr.), Camryn Phelps (soph.), Sherika Rudolph (soph.), Mia Singer (soph.), Hailey Rauschenbach (soph.) 
Newcomers: Abryelle BeBeau (frosh.), Gretchen Eder (frosh.), Addison Hawn (frosh.), Addison Kovarik (frosh.) 

Starters Lost: Jene` Scherwinski (7.1 ppg)