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

2015-16 Recap: 

Seneca and Kickapoo shared the Ridge & Valley title, each going 11-3 in the league. Wauzeka finished in third while Ithaca and De Soto also finished above .500 in conference play. No one from the conference made it out of the first round of the playoffs. 

2015-16 Season Information (Standings, Stats, All-Conference)

2016-17 Preview

Predicted Order of Finish:
1) Seneca 
2) De Soto 
3) Ithaca 
4) Kickapoo 
5) Wauzeka-Steuben  
6) North Crawford 
7) La Farge 
8) Weston 

Players to Watch: 

Alyssa Clary, sr., Ithaca -- Clary received first team all-conference as a junior, averaging 11.4 points per game for the Bulldogs. 

Jessica Coulthard, soph., Kickapoo -- In her debut season, Coulthard averaged 5.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.5 blocks per game en route to earning honorable mention all-league.  

Molly Heisz, sr., Wauzeka-Steuben -- Heisz was named first team all-conference after averaging 11.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 steals per contest as a junior. 

Jena Konichek, sr., Seneca -- Konichek took home first team all-league after averaging 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals per contest as a junior. 

Valerie Laue, sr., Ithaca -- Averaging 10 points per game, Laue earned honorable mention all-league as a junior. 

Lexi Mack, jr., North Crawford -- Mack earned honorable mention all-Ridge & Valley as a sophomore, averaging 11 points and 8 rebounds per game.

Olivia Marron, sr., La Farge -- Averaging 10.8 points per game, Marron was chosen honorable mention all-conference as a junior. 

Becky Trautsch, sr., Seneca -- Trautsch averaged a team-high 9.6 points per game on her way to being selected first team all-Ridge & Valley as a junior. 

Rachel Veglahn, sr., De Soto -- Veglahn received first team all-league after scoring 15.3 points per game with 59 three-pointers made as a junior. 

Haley Wall, jr., Seneca -- Wall was named first team all-conference as a sophomore; averaging 9 points, 4 assists and 2.3 steals per game for the Indians. 

Julia Wopat, sr., De Soto -- Wopat was selected as the Ridge & Valley Player of the Year after averaging 14.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a junior. 

2016-17 Team Previews: 

1) Seneca is the favorite to repeat as Ridge & Valley champions with the return of the return of their entire roster. Coach Kimberely Redman told WSN that experience is a strength. "We look to be consistent and improve throughout the season." The Indians will also use the experience gained during the volleyball season when they reached the state tournament. Seneca is balanced offensively with three players averaging around 9 points per game last season, led by Becky Trautsch's 9.6 points per game. Haley Wall (Jr., 9 PPG) and Jena Konichek (Sr., 7.4) join Trautsch as first team all-conference picks from last year's team. The Indians will also get strong contributions from junior Alivia Salinas (HM All-Conf., 8.7 PPG) and junior Michelle Clark (7 PPG, 5 RPG). Additional players that return include Emily Garfoot (Jr.), Erin Sime (Soph.) and Samantha Boland (Sr.). Seneca is listed among the honorable mention teams in the WisSports.net Preseason Top 10 in Division 5. The Indians open the season at home against River Ridge on Thursday, November 17. 

2) De Soto will look to compete for the conference title with the return of three starters from last year's team that went 8-6 in the league. Coach Heath Eliason told WisSports.net that experience, ability to score are among their strengths. He noted that size, depth and ability to defend and rebound are concerns heading into the season. Julia Wopat, reigning R&V Player of the Year, headlines the group of returners for the Pirates. Fellow senior Rachel Veglahn gives De Soto two strong scorers while Tori Chapes (3 PPG, 4.5 RPG) also returns to the starting lineup. Additional players who will contribute include Lauren Voelker (Sr.) and Jenna Trussoni (Jr.). De Soto opens the season at home against Potosi on November 17 and their first Ridge & Valley contest is at home against Wauzeka-Steuben on November 29. 

3) Ithaca welcomes back four of their top five scorers from last year's team that went 8-5 in the conference. Alyssa Clary highlights the group of returners for the Bulldogs after leading the team in scoring as a junior and taking home first team all-conference. Fellow senior Valerie Laue averaged just under 10 points per game and gives Ithaca an inside threat. Other key returners include Riley Crook (Sr., 7.4 PPG), Gracie Adsit (Soph., 5 PPG) and Morgan Anderson (Sr., 2.7 PPG). Ithaca faces Riverdale, WisSports.net Preseason No. 7 in D5, on opening night of the season. Their first Ridge & Valley contest is at home against Weston on November 29. 

4) Kickapoo should remain in the top half of the standings despite the graduation of their top two scorers from last year's squad that captured a share of the Ridge & Valley title. Coach Eric Wiegel told WSN that their forwards will be their strength while guard play is a question mark heading into the season with their top returning guard averaging under 2 points per game in limited minutes last season. Jessica Coulthard will move into a leading role for the Panthers after finishing third on the team in scoring while leading them in rebounds and blocks as a freshman. Sylvia Peterson (Jr., 4.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG) joins Coulthard as a returning starter while Brooke Gander (Sr., 5.3 PPG) is back as a key contributor from last year's squad. Janessa Werre (Sr.) is their top returning guard and will move into a larger role to help fill the void with the graduation of their top guards. Senior guards Ariana Rutherford and Moriah Johll will be asked to provide depth in the back-court. 

5) Wauzeka-Steuben will need to replace three starters that made up 75 percent of their scoring and rebounding from last year's team that went 10-4 in the league. The Hornets do welcome back their leading scorer in Molly Heisz (Sr., 11.8 PPG) along with fellow starter Tatem Baures (Sr., 7.5 PPG, 2.9 SPG). Other returning varsity players are MiKayla Walters (Sr.) and Haley Atkinson who will move into larger roles this season. 

6) North Crawford went 3-10 in the conference last season. The Trojans will look to take a step forward this season with the return of honorable mention all-league picks Lexi Mack (Jr., 11 PPG)and Sydney Stevenson (Sr., 8 PPG). Also back as key players for the Trojans are Riley Chellevold (Soph.) and MacKenzie Hanson (Jr.).

7) La Farge finished with a 4-10 record in the Ridge & Valley last season. The Wildcats will need to replace three of their top five scorers, including leading scorer Mackenzie Vesbach. La Farge will build around senior Olivia Marron who earned honorable mention all-league last season. Senior Kaitlyn Olson and sophomore Abbey Jacobs are among others who will play key roles this season for the Wildcats. 

8) Weston should be more competitive this season after going 0-22 last season. "We have a very small team but are hoping to get some offense going through defensive pressure," coach Lauretta Pickel told WSN. Jordan Crary (Soph.) and Emily Knuth (Jr.) return as starters for the Silver Eagles. Others that are expected to contribute include Kadee Lawrence (Soph.), Makensie VanCoulter (Jr.) and Cheynne Wilson (Soph.).