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2023-24 Recap

Cuba City (25-5 overall) captured the SWAL title with a perfect 14-0 record and finished the year as the WIAA Division 4 state runner-up, falling to Laconia, 47-43, in the championship game. Mineral Point (20-5, 12-2) finished second in the league, followed by Darlington (17-9, 9-5) and Fennimore (16-10, 8-6). Rounding out the SWAL standings were Iowa-Grant (10-15, 6-8), Riverdale (8-17, 4-10), Boscobel (7-17, 3-11), and Southwestern (1-22, 0-14). 

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

2024-25 Conference Preview 

Predicted Order of Finish 

1) Cuba City
2) Mineral Point
3) Darlington
4) Riverdale 
5) Fennimore 
6) Iowa-Grant 
7) Boscobel 
8) Southwestern 

Players to Watch

Adrienne Biddick, sr., Iowa-Grant – Biddick, a 5-11 forward, tallied 11 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game last season for the Panthers. 

Dea Crist, sr., Cuba City – Crist, a 6-0 forward, contributed 7.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest last season for the Cubans, the Division 4 state runner-up. 

Zuri Dennis, sr., Riverdale – Dennis, a point guard, averaged 15.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.4 steals per game last season for the Chieftains. 

Sadie Goebel, jr., Darlington – Goebel, a 5-3 guard, contributed 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest with 41 three-pointers made last season for the Redbirds. 

Maddie Gratz, jr., Darlington – Gratz, a 5-11 wing, averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Redbirds as a sophomore. She also shot 37-for-103 from behind the arc. 

Maddy Kabat, jr., Mineral Point – Kabat, a 5-9 wing/forward, contributed 7.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per contest last season for the Pointers. 

Ella Kroll, sr., Mineral Point – Kroll, a 5-6 guard, tallied 7.5 points and 2.0 steals per game last season, earning first-team all-SWAL for the Pointers. 

Laci Lindsey, sr., Mineral Point – Lindsey, a 5-9 guard, was voted first-team all-SWAL last season, averaging 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. She also shot 45-for-118 on three-pointers. 

Olivia Olson, sr., Cuba City – Olson, a 5-7 guard, is out indefinitely as she recovers from an ACL injury. She averaged 21.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.7 steals per game last season for the D4 state runner-up Cubans. Olson also connected on 71 of 180 from 3-point land. She is a two-time SWAL Player of the Year and two-time WBCA all-state selection. Olson, a UW-Milwaukee recruit, has 1.525 career points and has led Cuba City to a 68-17 record, 

Ashley Rowe, jr., Cuba City – Rowe, a 5-7 guard, averaged 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 steals per game as a sophomore, earning first-team all-conference for the D4 state runner-up Cubans. She also knocked down 37 three-pointers. 

Ella Vosberg, sr., Cuba City – Vosberg, a 5-10 wing/forward, will give the Cubans a boost after not playing last season. As a sophomore, she averaged 15.3 points per game and was named first-team all-SWAL.  

2024-25 Team Previews 

1) Cuba City is the two-time defending SWAL champion and enters the year with a 30-game conference winning streak. The Cubans return four starters from last year’s team which finished the year as the Division 4 state runner-up, ending the season with a 25-5 record. Fourth-year head coach Jason Derby, 68-17 record, told WisSports.net they have a senior-led group with athleticism and the work ethic to go with it. “Injuries hurt us this offseason, so we will try to adjust to those new realities.” Coach Derby added that they expect to be a strong rebounding team with great physicality on both ends of the court. Olivia Olson, two-time SWAL Player of the Year, is out indefinitely as she recovers from an ACL injury but there is optimism that she could return around playoff time. Other top returning players include Ashley Rowe and Dea Crist. They will also get a boost with the return of Ella Vosberg, the team’s second-leading scorer two years ago, who did not play last season. Cuba City is in the same half-sectional as Mineral Point while Neillsville is the top team in the other half of the sectional. The Cubans have notable non-league games against Pacelli (Nov. 23 at Beaver Dam Classic), Edgewood (Dec. 28), Oregon (Jan. 13), Platteville (Feb. 3), and Prairie du Chien (Feb. 18). Cuba City’s first meeting against Mineral Point is on the road, December 6.  

Returning Starters: Olivia Olson (5-7, sr., 21.3 ppg, 71 3PM, 7 rpg, 5.1 apg, 3.7 spg; out indefinitely recovering from ACL injury), Ashley Rowe (5-7, jr., 10.7 ppg), Dea Crist (6-0, sr., 7.9 ppg), Summer Rogers (5-10, sr., 6.5 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Emily Wiegman (5-3, sr., 7 ppg, 41 3PM), Aly Ingersoll (5-8, jr.), Savannah Kreger (5-10, soph., out with injury)
Newcomers: Ella Vosberg (5-10, sr., 15.3 ppg as a soph.), Lainey Welp (jr.), Cheyenne Houtakker (jr.), Trina Redfern (jr.)

Starters Lost: Alexis Runde (5-10, sr., 4.6 ppg, not playing this season)  

2) Mineral Point will compete for the SWAL title with the return of four starters from last year’s team which went 12-2 in the league and 20-5 overall, falling to eventual D4 state runner-up Cuba City in a regional final. Second-year head coach Nick Jelle told WSN that they have a deep and talented team that has a lot of speed and athleticism. “Shooting and defense will be strengths heading into the season.” Coach Jelle noted that rebounding and defensive identity are areas of concern. Laci Lindsey, the team leader in scoring and three-point shooting last season, highlights the Pointers roster. Joining Lindsey as returning starters are Ella Kroll, Eliza Ingwell, and Maddy Kabat. Mineral Point is in the same half-sectional as Cuba City, Belleville, and Argyle/Pecatonica, among others. The Pointers have notable non-conference games versus Platteville (Nov. 21), Prairie du Chien (Dec. 21), and Belleville (Jan. 27). Mineral Point’s first meeting against Cuba City is at home on December 6. 

Returning Starters: Laci Lindsey (5-9, sr., 10.7 ppg, 45 3PM), Eliza Ingwell (5-2, sr., 7.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 3.8 spg), Ella Kroll (5-6, sr., 7.5 ppg, 2 spg), Maddy Kabat (5-9, jr., 7.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.4 spg)  
Other Returning Players: Bree Swenson (5-7, soph., 5.2 ppg), Jadyn Schultz (5-8, jr., 5.1 ppg), Izzy Dannenberg (5-8, sr.), Ellie Robinson (5-3, sr.), Liz Hoffman (5-9, sr.), Sadie Miller (5-5, soph.), Sophie Miller (5-5, soph.)
Newcomers: Kinlee Prust (6-0, frosh.) 

Starters Lost: Belle Watters (6.5 ppg) 

3) Darlington returns its top two scorers from last year’s team which went 9-5 in the SWAL and 17-9 overall. WBCA Hall of Fame coach Mike Flanagan, the school’s Elementary/Middle School Principal, was named the Redbirds’ leader in the offseason. Flanagan spent 15 years as the head coach at Black Hawk, compiling a 309-71 record, and guiding them to the 2019 Division 5 state championship along with two state runner-up finishes in seven total trips to state. “We have some athletic potential and a few kids who have seen significant varsity action,” coach Flanagan told WSN. He explained that they will need to develop a defensive and offensive system and identity, along with a culture of toughness and togetherness. “Teams don't win consistently unless they are tough enough to make the right plays when things are tough and have a chemistry that holds them together, even in the face of adversity.” Maddie Gratz, the team’s leading scorer last season, headlines the Redbirds’ returning group. 

Returning Starters: Maddie Gratz (5-11, jr., 12.4 ppg), Sadie Goebel (5-3, jr., 9.6 ppg, 41 3PM) 
Other Returning Players: Lylah Norgard (5-6, sr.), Catie Hartwig (5-9, jr.) 
Newcomers: Lilly Ritchie (5-10, soph.), Sydney Wiegel (5-8, jr.), Olivea Winslow (5-3, jr.), Ava Whalen (5-7, jr.), Lexie Meyers (5-4, frosh.) 

Starters Lost: Aubrey McCarthy (8.4 ppg), Jaidyn Evenstad (6.2 ppg), Zoie Zuberbuhler

4) Riverdale returns three starters from last year’s team which went 4-10 in the SWAL and 8-17 overall. First-year head coach Larry Swiggum has a variety of coaching experience including as an assistant boys’ coach at Onalaska. Coach Swiggum told WSN they should be fairly deep, playing between 10-12 girls. “Numbers this year are high, we anticipate 20 girls at the high school level.”  Zuri Dennis, the team’s leader in points and steals last season, highlights the returning group. Macy McKay, the team’s leading rebounder last season, is another returning double-digit scorer. Riverdale opens league play at home against Darlington on December 3. 

Returning Starters: Zuri Dennis (sr., 15.6 ppg, 3.4 spg), Macy McKay (jr., 11 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2 apg), Kennedy Couey (sr., 6.5 ppg) 
Other Returning Players: Allie Goplin (jr.), Megan Kruel (jr.), Lily Bahr (jr.) Lainey Miess (jr., injured)
Newcomers: Kaitlyn Miess (frosh.), Ava Kratzenberg (soph.), Jocey Adams (soph.), Haley Schneider (soph.), Bailey White (soph.), Abby Tisdale (soph.),  Ella McKay (soph.) 

Starters Lost: Kayla McCorkle (7.6 ppg), Ellie Hudson

5) Fennimore will need to replace the majority of its scoring from last year’s team which finished 8-6 in the league and 16-10 overall. First-year head coach Benjamin Wood told WisSports.net that they are going to be a young team with athleticism as their strength. “Our weakness will be our lack of numbers in our upper classes.” The Golden Eagles will build around Brooklyn Ritchie, third on the team in scoring last season as a freshman.  

Returning Players: Brooklyn Ritchie (5-10, soph., 5.6 ppg), Rhiannon Nelson-Hahn (6-0, jr.), Brylie Zink (5-5, soph.), Peyton Lendosky (5-9, jr.), Libby Day (5-10, sr.) 
Newcomers: Kylie Cole (5-9, soph.), Kate Kenney (5-8, soph.), Malorie French (5-9, soph.), Kathryn Nelson (5-9, soph.), Kaylie Czaplewski (5-3, soph.), Lexi Wilson (5-6, soph.), Brylie Zink (5-5, soph.), Ava Winkers (5-5, frosh.), Eden Fry (5-8, frosh.)

Starters Lost: Braycee Nelson (16.8 ppg), Rose French (14.2 ppg), Izzy Bender (5.6 ppg), Tess Kenney

6) Iowa-Grant will need to replace the production of two of its top three scorers from last year’s team which finished 6-8 in the SWAL and 10-15 overall. Adrienne Biddick, second on the team in points and rebounds last season, will take on a featured role this season. 

Returnees: Adrienne Biddick (5-11, sr., 11 ppg, 7 rpg), BreAnn Kohlenberg (5-8, sr., 5.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Quinn Hoeper (5-3, jr.), Sadie Hoge (5-6, sr.), Lexie Kuhls (5-4, jr.) 
Newcomers: Trinity Phillips-Baker (jr.), Pajessa Phillips-Baker (jr.), Payton Freymiller (jr.),     Trinity Loeffelholz (frosh.), Brynne Pettit (frosh.)     

Notable Losses: Adriana Jelle (13.6 ppg), Alaina Schultz (6.6 ppg), Amiah Fisher 

7) Boscobel will need to replace four starters, including leading scorer Erin Knowles, from last year’s team which finished 3-11 in the league and 7-17 overall. The Bulldogs will build around Kenna Wallin, the lone holdover from last year’s starting five. 

Returning Starters: Kenna Wallin (5-4, sr., 5.8 ppg), 
Other Notable Returning Players: Maya Baumeister (jr.), Anna Bailie (jr.), Aubrey Seep (jr.), Isabelle Childs (sr.)

Starters Lost: Erin Knowles (25.3 ppg), Grace Smith, MaKenzie Fritz, Kennedy Seeley  

8) Southwestern went winless in the SWAL and 1-22 overall last season. First-year head coach Tanner Middendorf told WSN that shooting is a strength while depth is a weakness. Middendorf is the program’s eighth coach in the last 12 seasons. 

Returning Starters: Brynlee Droessler (5-5, sr.), Laila Theill (5-6, sr.) 
Other Returning Players: Ashlynn Droessler (5-6, sr.), Hailey Brant (5-9, sr.) 
Newcomers: Megan Roepsch (5-5, jr.), Morgan Rogers (5-7, soph.), Abigail Foley (frosh.), Charlee Kaiser (frosh.), Lyla Lawrence (frosh.), Lola Stephenson (frosh.) 

Starters Lost: Deanna Ramaker, Alana Splinter, Jaelyn Grant