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2023-24 Recap

Verona (26-1 overall) captured the Big Eight championship with a perfect 18-0 record. The Wildcats won their first 26 games, reaching a Division 1 sectional semifinal before falling to eventual D1 state champion Arrowhead, 49-41. Madison Memorial (16-10) finished second in the conference, going 14-4, followed by Madison East (13-6, 13-5) and Madison La Follette (12-10, 12-6). The number five spot went to Janesville Craig (12-14, 10-8) while Sun Prairie East (9-14, 8-10) and Sun Prairie West (8-14, 8-10) tied for sixth. Middleton (6-19, 5-13), Janesville Parker (4-21, 2-16), and Madison West (4-21, 0-18) rounded out the Big Eight standings. 

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

2024-25 Conference Preview 

Predicted Order of Finish 

1) Madison Memorial 
2) Verona 
3) Sun Prairie West 
4) Madison La Follette 
5) Sun Prairie East 
6) Madison East 
7) Janesville Craig 
8) Middleton 
9) Janesville Parker 
10) Madison West 

Players to Watch

Avery Blue, jr., Madison Memorial – Blue, a 5-6 guard, averaged 10.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 steals per game en route to being selected second-team all-Big Eight as a sophomore. She also connected on 59 three-pointers last season. 

Allison Bostley, sr., Verona – Bostley, a 6-3 forward, will take on an expanded role after averaging 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season. 

Ceanna Froh, sr., Sun Prairie West – Froh, a 5-4 guard, was named second-team all-conference last season, averaging 11 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per contest. The NCAA Division III Edgewood College recruit also shot 49-for-124 from 3-point land. 

Kennedi Harden, soph., Madison Memorial – Harden, a 5-6 guard, tallied 6.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per contest as a freshman, earning second-team all-Big Eight. 

Naveya Jackson, sr., Sun Prairie West – Jackson, a 5-9 guard, contributed 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game last season for the Wolves. 

Alli Jirsa, jr., Verona – Jirsa, a 5-9 guard, will take on a leading role for the Wildcats. She tallied 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3.5 steals per game last season.  

Brooke Michelotti, jr., Middleton – Michelotti, a 5-8 guard, received second-team all-Big Eight last season, averaging 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest.  

Princess Nwachukwu, sr., Madison Memorial – Nwachukwu, a 6-0 forward, was voted first-team all-league last season, averaging 13.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game. 

Nyajuacni Riak, frosh., Madison La Follette – Riak, a 6-2 guard/forward, is one of the top freshmen in the nation. She holds several NCAA Division I offers, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Tennessee. 

Valerie Richardson, sr., Madison East – Richardson, a 5-6 guard, was voted first-team all-conference last season, averaging 18.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. She also made 38 three-pointers. 

Yana-Aaliyah Stevens, frosh., Janesville Craig – Stevens, a 5-10 guard, will make an impact right away for the Cougars. 

Ava Vogler, soph., Sun Prairie East – Vogler, a 5-8 guard, scored 11.1 points per game as a freshman, earning second-team all-Big Eight. 

2024-25 Team Previews 

1) Madison Memorial welcomes back nearly all of its key players, including all five starters, from last year’s team which finished second (14-4) in the Big Eight and 16-10 overall. Marques Flowers, who owns a 121-121 record in 11 years at the helm, told WSN that their strengths include experience, balanced offensive attack, and perimeter defense. Coach Flowers noted that interior depth is a weakness. “We see ourselves having an opportunity to earn a Big 8 conference championship along with a chance to compete for a state tournament birth, which would be the first in school history.” Princess Nwachukwu, the team’s leader in points, rebounds, and blocks last season, headlines the Spartans’ roster. Other top returnees include Avery Blue and Kennedi Harden. The Spartans have notable non-league contests against Waunakee (Dec. 14) and Edgewood (Jan. 25). They open the season at Middleton (Nov. 21) and their first game against three-time defending Big Eight champion Verona is December 12. 

Returning Starters: Princess Nwachukwu, (6-0, sr., 13.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 1.9 spg), Avery Blue (5-6, 10.9 ppg, 59 3PM, 3.8 apg, 2.8 spg), Ni'Kera Martin (5-9, jr., 9.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 1.6 spg), Kennedi Harden (5-6, soph., 6.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.7 spg), Neveah Jackson (5-7, jr., 3.7 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Chanty Wilson (5-3, jr., 3.7 ppg), Brenna Roe (5-10, sr.), Bailee Parker (5-8, soph., 6.3 ppg -- out for the season with knee injury)
Newcomers: Hannah Mlsna (6-2, jr.), Alana Eubanks (6-0, soph.), LaMya Willis (5-6, soph.), Kaleah Gray (5-5, jr.), Orla McGee (6-0, frosh.), Maelyn Myers (5-10, frosh.) 

Starters Lost: None

2) Verona has claimed at least a share of the last three Big Eight titles and enters the year winners of its last 41 games. Those streaks are in jeopardy after the graduation of four starters, including Taylor Stemlow (Iowa) and Reagan Briggs (D-II St. Cloud State) who are now playing collegiately. Second-year head coach Lexy Richardson told WisSports.net they are athletic, tall, disciplined, and will have dispersed scoring. The Wildcats will build around Alli Jirsa, their lone holdover from last year’s starting five. They have several newcomers, including Macy Stremlow, Taylor’s youngest sister. Verona’s first contest against Madison Memorial is on December 12. 

Returning Starters: Alli Jirsa (5-9, jr., 6.5 ppg, 2.7 apg, 3.5 spg)
Other Returning Players: Allison Bostley (6-3, sr., 6.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Emily Jensen (5-9, sr., 4.5 ppg), Ellie Goodavish (6-0, jr.), Dylan Roddick (5-9, jr.), Alexa Rupnow (5-2, jr.), Nadie Rahn (5-7, jr.) 
Newcomers: Sedae Bennett (5-2, jr.), Madilyn Kripps (5-10, soph.), Riley Hanson (5-6, soph.), Noelle Rauwolf (5-5, soph.), Brynn Gorzalski (5-8, spoh.), Macy Stremlow (5-9, frosh.) 

Starters Lost: Reagan Briggs (26 ppg), Taylor Stremlow (18.3 ppg), Ella Gorzalski (7.2 ppg), Maia Ellis (7.1 ppg), 

3) Sun Prairie West returns three starters from last year’s team which finished 8-10 in the Big Eight and 8-14 overall. Ronda McLin, sixth year as a head coach and third at Sun Prairie West, told WSN that they are returning a lot of seniors to the program. Ceanna Froh, the team’s leading scorer last season, highlights the returning group. Allison Schmidt and Naveya Jackson also return as starters for the Wolves. They open the season at home against Janesville Parker (Nov. 21), followed by a meeting against Big Eight favorite Madison Memorial (Nov. 23). 

Returning Starters: Ceanna Froh (5-4, sr., 11 ppg, 49 3PM, 2.7 apg, 1.9 spg), Allison Schmidt (6-0, sr., 10.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Naveya Jackson (5-9, sr., 9.1 ppg, 2.3 spg)
Other Returning Players: Payton Beck (5-9, sr., 5.5 ppg, 37 3PM), Sophia Vriesema (5-10, sr., 4.1 ppg), Layla Maggit (5-10, jr.), Maisie Gale (5-9, sr.)
Newcomers: Tamia Baker (jr.) 

Starters Lost: Mackenzie Hawk (6-0, sr., 8.3 ppg; transferred to Wauwatosa East), Ruby Davis (6-1, soph., moved out of state)

4) Madison La Follette will reload its roster after the graduation of four starters from last year's team which finished 12-6 in the Big Eight and 12-10 overall. Will Green, who has an 85-75 record in nine years at the helm, told WSN that their team strengths include rebounding, three-point shooting, and guard play. Coach Green said that the team faces a notable challenge with a young roster of inexperienced players at the varsity level. “While this inexperience presents growing pains, it also offers the potential for significant growth and development throughout the season.” Nyajuacni Riak, one of the top freshmen in the nation, headlines the Lancers’ roster. Madison La Follette opens the season at Madison East on November 21. 

Returning Starters: Rayne Mitchell (5-5, sr., 2.6 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Ruby Daeger (5-7, soph., 4.2 ppg), Madelyn Jenkins (5-11, jr.), Elizabeth Duncan (5-6, soph.), Mikaela Perkins (5-8, sr.), N'Dey Cham (5-11, soph.), Donshae Pollard (5-6, sr.) 
Newcomers: Nyajuacni Riak (6-2, frosh.), ToriyJa Woods (frosh.), Jacela Fields (frosh.), Alexandra Quanbeck (frosh.), Kamia Hutchins (soph.), Teya Capps (jr.), Harmony Johnson (sr.) 

Starters Lost: Alayna West (22.1 ppg), DaJianna Hayes (15.3 ppg), Kelicia Caldwell, Serena Olson

5) Sun Prairie East returns four starters from last year’s team which finished 8-10 in the conference and 8-14 overall. First-year head coach Crystal Brandl told WSN that varsity experience, speed, and athleticism are strengths while height is a weakness. Brandl has coached various levels including an assistant at Sun Prairie in the early 2000s after playing collegiately at UW-Platteville. Ava Vogler highlights the Cardinals’ lineup. 

Returning Starters: Ava Vogler (5-8, soph., 11.1 ppg), Kiera Place (5-9, jr.), Kiya Dixon (5-8, jr.), Zella Cleveland (5-9, sr.)
Other Returning Players: Brooke Kavanaugh (5-6, jr.), Addison Bowie (5-6, jr.), Abby Packard (5-7, jr.), Keira Martin (5-5, jr.)

Starters Lost: Kaitlin Bindley

6) Madison East returns three starters from last year’s team which went 13-5 in the Big Eight and 13-6 overall. Third-year head coach Alysha Justice and the Purgolders’ squad is highlighted by Valerie Richardson, the top returning scorer in the league. 

Returning Starters: Valerie Richardson (5-6, sr., 18.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.7 spg), Tatum Inda (soph., 7.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.1 spg), Tanayah Holmes (soph., 3.8 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Ameleah Jackson (soph.)
Newcomers: Precious Fedele (frosh.), Ahviana Dean Baker (frosh.), Ahvianna Harrison (soph.),     Maggy Young (soph.) 

Starters Lost: Kearra Jones, Sienna Easland

7) Janesville Craig brings back two starters from last year’s team which went 10-8 in the Big Eight and 12-14 overall. Second-year head coach Kellan Schmidt told WisSports.net they will have a young roster after the graduation of seven seniors from last year’s team. “Our returning players are all very coachable and give great energy and effort.” Freshman Yana-Aaliyah Stevens will make an immediate impact for the Cougars. 

Returning Starters: Abigail Claas (5-9, soph.), Nevaeh Johnson (5-5, soph.) 
Other Returning Players: Avianna Hughes (5-10, sr.), Tate Jacobson (5-8, jr.), Ava Schaffner (5-3, soph.), Mara Gondreau (5-1, soph.) 
Newcomers: Layla Murry (5-8, sr.), Yana-Aaliyah Stevens (5-10, frosh.), Adilynn Wellnitz (6-0, frosh.)  

Starters Lost: Lily Campbell, Braelynn Bertocchi, Grace Brown

8) Middleton finished 5-13 in the league and 6-19 overall in 2023-24. Brooke Michelotti, the team’s leading scorer last season, headlines the Cardinals’ roster. 

Notable Returnees: Brooke Michelotti (5-8, jr., 11.2 ppg, 51 3PM), Hailey Stroede (5-9, jr., 4.2 ppg), Emily Utter (5-9, sr., 4.2 ppg), Sophia Ynclan (5-5, sr.), Rowan Borne (5-8, jr.)

Newcomers: Lucy Drye (5-10, soph.), Teagan Kadow (5-10, soph.), Molly Schulz (5-7, frosh.), Elise Krachey (5-9, frosh.) 

Notable Loss: Mariah Sexton (6-3, soph., 4.7 ppg; moved out of state) 

9) Janesville Parker went 2-16 in the Big Eight and 4-21 overall last season. The Vikings hired Katie DeZeeuw, a 2002 graduate of Parker, to lead their program. DeZeeuw was a member of the Vikings team that won back-to-back Division 1 state titles (2000, 2001). 

Notable Returnees: Nichari Tucker (5-9, jr., 9.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.2 spg), Harper Brandenburg (5-7, jr., 7.5 ppg), Sophie Brown (5-9, jr., 8.7 ppg, 44 3PM), Myalee Kuennen (5-10, jr.), Addison Jones (5-8, sr.) 

10) Madison West (4-21 overall last season) enters the year with a 45-game Big Eight losing streak. Chelsea Jones was named the Regents’ new head coach. 

Notable Returnees: Issra Nafid (5-7, sr.), Mia Ozanne (jr.), Evelyn Musgrave (jr.), Ari Kontny (jr.)