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2023-24 Recap

Highland (20-6 overall) claimed the Six Rivers West title with a 9-1 record. Belmont (18-8) finished second, posting an 8-2 record, followed by River Ridge (15-10, 6-4), and Shullsburg (8-17, 5-5). Rounding out the conference standings, Benton (5-19, 2-8) and Potosi/Cassville (3-22, 0-10). 

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

2024-25 Conference Preview 

Predicted Order of Finish 

1) Shullsburg
2) Belmont
3) River Ridge 
4) Highland 
5) Potosi/Cassville 
6) Benton 

Players to Watch

Hailey Alt, frosh., Shullsburg – Alt, a 5-8 guard, will make an immediate impact for the Miners. 

Morgan Freeman, sr., Belmont – Freeman, a 5-9 wing/forward, was named first-team all-Six Rivers West and honorable mention WBCA all-state last season. She averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for the Braves. 

Kaitlyn Miller, sr., Highland – Miller, a 5-8 guard, tallied 7.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest as a junior. 

Kaci Riechers, sr., Belmont – Riechers, a 5-6 point guard, contributed 9.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.7 steals per contest last season for the Braves. 

McKinley Russell, frosh., Shullsburg – Russell, a 6-0 guard, will step into an impact role right away for the Miners. 

Taylor Russell, sr., Shullsburg – Russell, a 5-10 forward, tallied 8.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game as a junior for the Miners. 

Kate Tarrell, sr., Highland – Tarrell, a 5-11 forward, averaged 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for the Cardinals last season. 

Mandi Wehrle, sr., River Ridge – Wehrle, a 5-5 wing, was voted first-team all-Six River West last season. She tallied 10.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She shot 61-for-162 from 3-point land. 

Reghan Zinkle, sr., River Ridge – Zinkle, a 5-9 wing/forward, averaged 8.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per game on her way to earning second-team all-conference last season.  

2024-25 Team Previews 

1) Shullsburg is the team to beat in the Six Rivers West. The Miners return three starters from their 2023-24 squad which went 5-5 in the league and 8-17 overall. Nathan Russell, who has a 246-143 record in 16 years as head coach, told WisSports.net that outside shooting, rebounding, and scoring options are strengths while ball-handling, free throw shooting, and decision-making are weaknesses. Taylor Russell and Olivia Brown, finishing second and third, respectively in scoring, are the team’s top returnees. They will get a huge boost from their freshman class, headlined by Hailey Alt and McKinley Russell who are expected to lead the program. Shullsburg is in the same half-sectional as Barneveld. The Miners play Barneveld in a Six Rivers crossover game on December 20; a team they have never beat in girls’ basketball. They have notable non-league games against Bangor (Dec. 27), Argyle/Pecatonica (Jan. 7), Assumption (Feb. 8 at JAG), and Albany/Monticello (Feb. 14). Shullsburg was ranked No. 10 in the Division 5 WSN Preseason Rankings. 

Returning Starters: Taylor Russell (5-10, sr., 8 ppg, 9.8 rpg), Olivia Brown (5-4, sr., 7 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 spg), Stella Spillane (5-7, sr., 6.5 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Courtney Thyen (6-1, soph., 5.9 rpg), Isabelle Wiegel (5-5, soph.), Alexis Alt (5-10, jr., missed last year due to knee) 
Newcomers: Hailey Alt (5-8, frosh.), McKinley Russell (6-0, frosh.), Addy Woodworth (5-9, frosh.) 

Starters Lost: Camden Russell (13 ppg), Hailey Duerst

2) Belmont will compete for the Six Rivers West title. The Braves bring back their top two scorers from last year’s squad which went 8-2 in the league and 18-8 overall. Kaleen McGettigan, who has a 198-117 record in 13 years as head coach, told WSN that they return a lot of experience and will continue to have good depth. “This group has played a lot of ball together and you can tell.” Coach McGettigan went on to say that their defense will cause a lot of problems for opponents. Morgan Freeman, the team’s leader in points, rebounds, and assists last season, highlights the Braves’ roster. Kaci Riechers, who was second on the team in scoring and the leader in steals last season, joins Freeman as a returning starter. Belmont’s first meeting against Shullsburg isn’t until January 9. 

Returning Starters: Morgan Freeman (5-9, sr., 11.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.6 apg), Kaci Riechers (5-6, sr., 9.9 ppg, 2.7 spg)
Other Returning Players: Courtney Fritz (5-4, sr.), Hailey Bahr (5-5, sr.), Carsyn Ramaker (5-7, soph.), Lexi Riechers (5-6, soph.) 
Newcomers: Hannah Burgess (5-6, sr.), Jaelyn Leitzinger (5-7, soph.), Brittany Taylor (5-3, soph.), Taryn Ludlum (5-9, frosh.) 

Starters Lost: Reese Runde (9.3 ppg), Lainey Riechers (8.4 ppg), Bailey Mester

3) River Ridge returns four starters from last year’s team which finished 6-4 in the Six Rivers West and 15-10 overall. Fifth-year head coach Veronica Zinkle told WisSports.net that their strengths include experience, confidence from the 3-point line, and defense. “All of our athletes are very versatile players including the freshmen that we have joining our program.” Coach Zinkle noted that height will be a weakness. Mandi Wehrle and Reghan Zinkle highlight the roster for the Timberwolves. Melissa Sletten and Braylyn Quick also return as starters. 

Returning Starters: Mandi Wehrle (5-5, sr., 10.6 ppg, 61 3PM, 5.9 rpg, 2.1 spg), Reghan Zinkle (5-9, sr., 8.6 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.4 spg), Melissa Sletten (5-4, sr., 7.1 ppg, 3.2 apg), Braylyn Quick (5-4, sr., 3 ppg) 
Other Returning Players: Erin Adrian (5-7, soph., 5.2 ppg), Mallory Crubel (5-8, soph.), Mckenzie Taylor (5-3, soph.), Kristina Sletten (5-4, soph.) 
Newcomers: Ava Nies (5-10, frosh.), Reese Moravits (5-3, frosh.)

Starters Lost: Shayna Graf (10.7 ppg) 

4) Highland, defending Six Rivers West champions, will need to replace the production of its top two scorers from last year’s team which went 9-1 in the league and 20-6 overall. Josh Tarrell, who has a 246-183 record in 19 years as a head coach, has compiled a 173-153 mark in 14 years as the Cardinals’ leader, including guiding them to the state tournament in 2022. Coach Tarrell told WSN that height and experience at the shooting guard and in the post are strengths while low numbers is a weakness. Kaitlyn Miller and Kate Tarrell lead the group of returnees; Addison Bedward also returns as a starter for the Cardinals. 

Returning Starters: Kaitlyn Miller (5-8, sr., 7.4 ppg, 5 rpg), Kate Tarrell (5-11, sr., 6.4 ppg, 6 rpg), Addison Bedward (5-7, jr., 4.4 ppg)
Other Returning Players: Sophia Tarrell (5-11. Soph., 6.4 ppg), Izzy Washa (5-8, sr.), Sumaryn Halverson (5-1, jr.)
Newcomers: Emily Laufenberg (5-7, soph.), Adylin Esser (5-9, frosh.), Yezlin Mondragon (5-1, sr.), Lily Tarrell (5-5, soph.), Hailee Kohout (5-7, jr.), Marissa Biba (soph.), Caitlyn Fritsch (5-11, jr.), Ava Michek (frosh.), Celia Oleson (frosh.)

Starters Lost: Bronwyn Halverson (10.6 ppg), Harlee Fredericks (9.6 ppg) 

5) Potosi/Cassville returns nearly its entire roster from last year’s team which went winless in the league and 3-22 overall. Potosi grad Jamie Nebel, second on the team’s all-time scoring list, was hired to lead the program. Nebel has been an assistant coach for several years, including stops at Reedsburg and Dodgeville. Elle Pierce, the team’s leading scorer last season, highlights the returning group. 

Returning Starters: Elle Pierce (5-8, sr., 9.2 ppg, 6 rpg), Miranda Kieler (5-5, sr., 5 ppg, 2 apg), Manhattyn Udelhofen (5-6, jr., 4.7 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.8 spg), Madalyn Weber (5-7, sr.)
Other Returning Players: Ruby Roe (5-6, sr.), Ayva Yager (5-10, jr.), Lillie Cooley (5-10, jr.), Jocelyn Adrian (soph.), Brielle Fishnick (soph.), Grace Laufenberg (5-4, jr.), Alayna Kerkoff (5-7, soph.), Gwen Riedl (soph.)

Starters Lost: Cassie Cooley (7.1 ppg), 

6) Benton went 2-8 in the Six Rivers West and 5-19 overall. Sixth-year head coach Mitch Brant told WSN that they are a very young team. “We lost seven players from last year's team, so we will have a pretty inexperienced team.” Ries Stluka, second on the team in scoring last season, will move into a feature role this season. 

Returning Starters: Ries Stluka (5-6, jr., 8.5 ppg, 2.2 spg) 
Other Returning Players: Sydney Mowry (5-6, sr.), Kaitlyn Richardson (5-8, sr.),
Newcomers: Maddie Davis (5-4, soph.), Paisley Williams (5-8, soph.), McKenna Haffele (5-4, jr.), Martina Valero (5-8, sr.), Tayva Stoutenborough (5-5, soph.), Juliane Andersen (5-7, soph.), Riley Buss (5-7, soh.), Kaycie Fawcett (5-6, frosh.), Alexa Saunders (5-8, frosh.)

Starters Lost: Halle Stluka (9.9 ppg), Elizabeth Ward (6.4 ppg), Jasmine Cummins (6.1 ppg), Genna Langkamp