Waunakee is the favorite to repeat as league champs.
2025-26 Badger Large Conference Preview Predicted Order of Finish1)
Waunakee2)
Milton3)
Beaver Dam4)
Oregon5)
Monona Grove (Monona)6)
DeForest7)
Watertown8)
BarabooPlayers to Watch
Alexis Accuardi, DeForest – As a sophomore, Accuardi averaged 9.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest for the Norskies.
Danielle Becker, Monona Grove – Becker tallied 8.4 points per game with 44 three-pointers made as a junior for the Silver Eagles.
Tessa Bryan, Waunakee – Bryan was voted Badger Large Player of the Year and WBCA all-state as a junior. The Division I prospect averaged 18.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.4 steals per game.
Kylee Buttchen, Milton – Buttchen was chosen as a first-team all-league as a sophomore, averaging 11.9 points, 2.0 assists, and 2.7 steals per contest.
Nataya Donaldson, Beaver Dam – Donaldson was named first-team all-conference and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a junior. The NCAA Division I UW-Milwaukee commit averaged 19.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Sydney Glynn, Monona Grove – Glynn received first-team all-conference as a junior, averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Emma Julka, Beaver Dam – Julka averaged 9.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.2 steals per contest as a junior for the Golden Beavers.
Nayeli Kilen, Milton – As a junior, Kilen was named honorable mention WBCA all-state and first-team all-Badger Large. She tallied 12.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
Audrey Meudt, Waunakee – Meudt was voted first-team all-league as a junior. The NCAA Division III UW-Oshkosh commit averaged 9.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.
Celia Mitchell, Oregon – Mitchell contributed 7.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest as a sophomore for the Panthers.
Graycin Phillips, Waunakee – Phillips received first-team all-Badger Large and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a junior. The NCAA Division II Grand Valley State commit averaged 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Teagan Schoenecker, Oregon – Schoenecker was named honorable mention WBCA all-state and first-team all-Badger Large as a junior. The NCAA Division II Northern Michigan commit averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.3 steals per game.
Keira Van Wie, Waunakee – In her debut season, Van Wie tallied 6.4 points per game for the Warriors.
Team Capsules BarabooCoach: Justin Litscher, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 3-22
2024-25 Conference Finish: 7th in Badger Small, 2-12
Top Returnees: Taylor Sperl (5-7, jr., 10.7 PPG), Madilyn Gilbert (5-10, sr., 7.7 PPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Sydney Dobush (5-8, jr.)
Newcomers: Sara Tews (5-9, fr.), Adalynn Thompson (6-0, fr.), Maddison Litscher (5-9, fr.), Allie Englund (5-5, fr.)
Team Notes: The Thunderbirds join the Badger Large, switching spots with Fort Atkinson, which is now in the Badger Small.
Beaver DamCoach: TJ Julka, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 16-10
2024-25 Conference Finish: T3rd, 10-4
Returning Starters: Nataya Donaldson (5-9, sr., 19.2 PPG, 7 RPG), Emma Julka (5-6, sr., 9.5 PPG, 2.9 APG, 3.2 SPG), Luciana Gonzalez (5-8, jr., 8 PPG), Shea Ashley (5-6, sr., 6.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.8 APG), Abby Gutknecht (5-11, sr., 5.3 PPG)
Other Returnees: Jolee Drzonek (5-7, jr.), Lailah Linzenmeyer (5-8, soph.), Chloe Lauth (5-5, sr.), Addison Lewke (5-6, sr.), Brooklyn Karel (5-6, jr.), Kennedy Karel (5-7, jr.),
Newcomers: Bryelle Hollander (5-9, soph.), Avery Duax (5-6, jr.), Hanna McDermott (5-5, jr.), Adaline Michael (6-2, fr.)
Team Notes: The Golden Beavers returned nearly their entire roster, led by UW-Milwaukee commit Nataya Donaldson.
DeForestCoach: Jerry Schwenn, 11th year (149-94), 13th overall
2024-25 Record: 13-14, lost to West Salem in D2 sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th, 4-10
Returning Starters: Alexis Accuardi (6-1, jr., 9.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG), Brinley Goninen (5-11, jr., 7.2 PPG, 2 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Allie Nordness (5-4, soph.) Addyson Heuer (5-8, jr.), Ava Schwenn (5-11, jr.), Emma Hermansen (5-10, soph.), Emony Hardiman (5-8, sr.), McKenzie Brandl (5-6, jr.)
Newcomers: Megan Gavinski (5-10, jr.), Sierra Davenport (5-10, jr.), Kyia Williams (5-11, soph.), Atley Rauber (5-5, soph.), Anabelle Stravinski (5-8, jr.)
Team Notes: Coach Schwenn told MaxPreps that with a large, talented junior class, a competitive sophomore group, and significant returning production, they are built to climb the Badger Large standings and pursue another deep postseason run. "The team's balance of size, athleticism, improved guard play, and length across the floor provides a strong foundation for growth on both ends."
MiltonCoach: Stacy Skemp, 11th year
2024-25 Record: 21-5
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 11-3
Returning Starters: Nayeli Kilen (5-3, sr., 12.5 PPG, 2.7 APG), Kylee Buttchen (5-4, jr., 11.9 PPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Sydney Grady (jr., 6.1 PPG, 2.6 SPG), Alli Kojo (5-9, jr., 5.2 PPG), Mady Vind (soph.)
Newcomers: Aubrey Klug (soph.)
Team Notes: Coach Skemp told MaxPreps they will utilize their speed with the bulk of their offensive threats back.
Monona Grove (Monona)Coach: Jalen Walker, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 12-12
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 5-9
Top Returnees: Addy Schmudlach (5-6, jr., 11.3 PPG), Sydney Glynn (5-10, sr., 11.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG), Danielle Becker (5-7, sr., 8.4 PPG, 44 3PM)
Other Notable Returnees: Daniela Witte (5-8, jr.), Mikaya McQueeney (5-3, soph.), Bailey Nelson (5-7, jr.)
Team Notes: The Silver Eagles welcomed back their top six scorers from last season.
OregonCoach: Adam Wamsley, 9th year (137-53), 13th overall (153-129)
2024-25 Record: 20-6
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 10-4
Returning Starters: Teagan Schoencker (6-2, sr., 19.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 3.3 SPG), Celia Mitchell (5-8, jr., 7.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Elyse Coleman (5-6, jr.), Evelyn Feltz (5-9, jr.), Riley Hermsdorf (5-6, jr.), Jaylyn Jones (5-9, soph.), Niasia Niedziejko (5-5, sr.), Kaylah Thysse (5-5, soph.)
Newcomers: Amelia Crowley (5-6, soph.), Stella Hall (5-6, fr.), Kendall Schoenecker (5-9, fr.), Grace Tyler (5-4, fr.), Cecilia Brink (5-7, jr.)
Team Notes: The Panthers are coming off their second consecutive 20-win season, the first time in team history they have achieved the feat. Coach Wamsley told MaxPreps the program's culture of hard work and competitiveness remains their foundation, despite the graduation of two starters and another key contributor. "Our players have bought into the process," said Coach Wamsley. "They're coachable, they compete hard, and they want to keep building on what the teams before them have started."
WatertownCoach: Jake Wedig, 2nd year, 10th overall
2024-25 Record: 7-17
2024-25 Conference Finish: 7th, 2-12
Returning Starters: Meredith Schaller (5-8, sr., 6.8 PPG), Ava Novotny (5-9, sr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Lydia Meyers (5-11, sr.), Kyleigh Ninmann (5-8, sr.), Breanna Wolfgramm (5-9, jr.), Maddie Novotny (5-7, soph.), Angie Hickey (5-4, jr.)
Newcomers: Zariah Burkholz (fr.)
Team Notes: Coach Wedig told MaxPreps that they will need to be disciplined defensively and find creative ways to generate offense. " With a number of players still gaining their first varsity experience, it will be important for our seniors to set the tone and provide strong leadership both on and off the court."
WaunakeeCoach: Marcus Richter, 7th year (94-48)
2024-25 Record: 22-6, lost to Arrowhead in a sectional final
2024-25 Conference Finish: Badger Large champion (13-1)
Returning Starters: Tessa Bryan (5-9, jr., 18.6 PPG, 35 3PM, 5.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.4 SPG), Graycin Phillips (6-0, sr., 12.1 PPG, 38 3PM, 6.3 RPG), Audrey Meudt (5-10, sr., 9.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.1 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Keira Van Wie (6-1, soph., 6.4 PPG), Ashlyn Bauer (5-6, sr.), Jane Shefchik (5-5, jr.), Lainey Christian (5-8, jr.), Audra Ubersox (5-4, soph.)
Newcomers: Nora Meudt (fr.), Gwen Van Beek (soph.)
Team Notes: The Warriors returned four of their top five scorers from last year's team, which finished one win away from the WIAA state tournament. Coach Richter told MaxPreps their experience is going to be huge with eight players back who played minutes last season. "We are long and athletic, which we use to our advantage on both sides of the ball."
