Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

2023-24 Recap

Wauzeka-Steuben (24-3 overall) went undefeated to claim the Ridge & Valley championship and advanced to a Division 5 sectional semifinal, dropping a 69-50 contest versus Argyle/Pecatonica which was a D5 state qualifier. Kickapoo (18-8) took second place in the league, going 9-3, followed by De Soto (12-11, 7-5) and Ithaca (15-10, 7-5). Rounding out the standings, North Crawford (7-14, 4-8), La Farge/Youth Initiative (7-17, 3-9), and Seneca (1-19, 0-12). Weston didn’t have a varsity team. 

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

2024-25 Conference Preview 

Note: Weston will not field a varsity program. 

Predicted Order of Finish 

1) Wauzeka-Steuben 
2) Kickapoo 
3) De Soto 
4) Ithaca 
5) North Crawford
6) Seneca  
7) La Farge/Youth Initiative 

Players to Watch

Gwenne Fredrickson, sr., Kickapoo – Fredrickson, a 5-9 forward, tallied 11 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per contest, receiving second-team all-league last season. 

Sylvia Kreuger, soph., De Soto – Krueger tallied 9.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 2.1 blocks per contest for the Pirates in her debut season. 

Jaycee Maxwell, soph., Ithaca – Maxwell, a guard, was named first-team all-Ridge & Valley last season as a freshman. She averaged 8.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game for the Bulldogs. 

Jadence Nagel, sr., Kickapoo – Nagel, a 5-6 guard, was voted first-team all-conference last season, averaging 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.6 steals per game for the Panthers. 

Tristen Peterson, sr., Ithaca – Peterson averaged 10.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 steals per contest as a junior, earning second-team all-conference for the Bulldogs. 

Kylee Venner, soph., De Soto – Veneer, a guard, averaged 20.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game en route to being selected first-team all-Ridge & Valley as a freshman. 

Emma Wall, sr., Wauzeka-Steuben – Wall was named second-team all-Ridge & Valley as a junior, averaging 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per contest for the Hornets.

Elizabeth Wright, sr., Wauzeka-Steuben – Wright tallied 7.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game for the Hornets as a junior. 

2024-25 Team Previews 

1) Wauzeka-Steuben is the favorite to win its second consecutive Ridge & Valley championship. The Hornets returned several key players from last year’s team which went undefeated in the conference and advanced to a Division 5 sectional, ending the season with a 24-3 record. Ben McCullick, who entered the year with a 219-176 record in 17 years at the helm, told WSN that they are small but quick, with six girls that should be able to rotate through evenly. “We will be very small so rebounding will be a big key for us.” Emma Wall and Elizabeth Wright headline the roster for the Hornets. Other key returnees include Macy Mitchell and Isabella Bunders. Wauzeka-Steuben opened league play with a win over Kickapoo. 

Returning Starters: Elizabeth Wright (sr., 7.1 ppg, 2.6 apg), Emma Wall (sr., 6.8 ppg, 3.2 apg, 2.5 spg)
Other Returning Players: Macy Mitchell (jr., 6 ppg), Isabella Bunders (jr., 5.3 ppg), Natalie Wright (jr., 5.4 ppg, 2.2 spg), Kiley Manning (sr.)  
Newcomers: Emma Udelhoven (jr.), Claudia Walz (jr.), Claire Wright (soph.), Violet Mitchell (soph.), Hayley Mitchell (frosh.) 

Starters Lost: Cameron Hurda (13 ppg), Ally Wall (12.1 ppg), Morgan Berger (5.8 ppg)

2) Kickapoo brought back its top two scorers from last year’s team which went 9-3 in the Ridge & Valley and 18-8 overall. Eric Wiegel entered the year with a 354-287 record in 28 years as the Panthers’ head coach which includes guiding them to a state tournament appearance in 2005. Coach Wiegel told WisSports.net that team speed and defensive pressure will be their greatest strengths. “Our biggest weakness will be a lack of size.” Gwenne Frederickson and Jadence Nagel, who led the team in points and rebounds last season, highlight the Panthers’ roster. Tiernee Arndt and Morgan Wiitanen are among those who will be taking on larger roles this season. 

Returning Starters: Gwenne Frederickson (5-9, sr., 11 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2 spg), Jadence Nagel (5-6, sr., 8.6 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.6 spg)
Other Returning Players: Michaela Cauffman (5-5, sr.), Anika Wastlick (5-4, sr.), Tiernee Arndt (5-7, jr.), Breylyn Culver (5-4, jr.), Morgan Wiitanen (5-4, jr.), Ashlynn Reynolds (5-6, sr.) 
Newcomers: Annabelle Oliver (5-5, soph.), Cloey Andrews (5-7, jr.), Kendal Andolsek (5-6, soph.), Kinzie Cade (5-5, soph.)

Starters Lost: Abby Oliver (6.7 ppg), Autumn Jacks (6.3 ppg), Hailey Gander 

3) De Soto will look to be in the mix for the league title with the return of all five starters from last year’s team which finished third (7-5) in the league and 12-11 overall. Third-year head coach Dale Piurkowski (14-34 record) told WSN that their strength is the experience their underclassmen have. He noted that their weakness is the lack of depth. Kylee Venner, the league’s leading scorer last season, headlines the Pirates’ lineup. Sylvia Kreuger and Ella Koch are other top returnees. 

Returning Starters: Kylee Venner (soph., 20.4 ppg, 11.2 ppg, 3.2 apg, 2.7 spg, 2.1 bpg), Sylvia Kreuger (soph., 9.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg), Ella Koch (jr., 9 ppg, 49 3PM, 2.5 apg), Makenna Gilman (soph., 5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 spg), Sascha Doll (sr., 3 ppg)
Other Returning Players: None
Newcomers: Brynn Venner (frosh.), Shawnna Haakenson (sr.) 

Starters Lost: Sophia Obert

4) Ithaca returned several contributors from last year’s team which finished 7-5 in the Ridge & Valley and 15-10 overall. Jacey Maxwell and Tristen Peterson, the team’s top two scorers and rebounders last season, highlight the roster for the Bulldogs. 

Returnees: Tristen Peterson (sr., 10.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.2 spg), Jacey Maxwell (soph., 8.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.7 spg), Maggie Kershner (sr., 6.2 ppg), Alyssa Mueller (sr.), Holly King (sr.), Brooklyn Dickey (jr.), Kelsea Coleman (soph.), Maylee Pluemer (soph.) 
Newcomers: Isabella Faber (frosh.), Alyssa Olson (frosh.) 

Notable Losses: Alyvia Young (7 ppg), Kaylee Miller (6.5 ppg), Josie Laue

5) North Crawford graduated its top player (Elizabeth Stovey) from last year’s team which went 4-8 in the conference and 7-14 overall. Livhe Chamberlain and Alle Chamberlain lead the group the way for the Trojans. 

Returnees: Livhe Chamberlain (sr.), Alle Chamberlain (sr.), Anna Chamberlain (sr.) 
Newcomers: Gina Yonker (soph.), Olivia Eick (jr.), Jada Grimsled (soph.), Kylie Hutchison (soph.), Brielle Deckert (soph.), Lucy O'Brien (soph.) 

Notable Losses: Elizabeth Stovey 

6) Seneca returned four starters from last year’s team which went winless in the conference and 1-19 overall. First-year head coach Jared Payne, a 2019 graduate of Seneca, told WSN that their strengths include quickness and athleticism. “Our overall fundamentals are an area that will need to continue to grow throughout the season, to go along with little things like communication that contribute to winning.” The Royals opened Ridge & Valley play with a win over La Farge. 

Returning Starters: Camryn Lenzendorf (jr.), Dhyllan Kemp (jr.), Rita Sime (soph.), Lydia West (sr.) 
Other Returning Players: Maya Buffington (sr.)
Newcomers: Grace Varo (frosh.), Lily Payne (frosh.)

Starters Lost: Nadia Klema 

7) La Farge/Youth Initiative graduated its top two scorers from last year’s team which finished 3-9 in the Ridge & Valley and 7-17 overall. Brielle Hansen will move into a featured role for the Wildcats. 

Notable Returnees: Brielle Hansen (5-5, sr., 5.6 ppg, 3.7 spg), Riley Grefe (5-9, jr., 3.4 ppg), Sam Coggins (5-7, soph.), Chelsey Huebsch (5-7, jr.), Kaydence Lawrence (5-6, sr.)

Notable Losses: Kindale Williams (14.4 ppg), Kirsten Wood (7 ppg), Emily Potter (5.8 ppg)