Rib Lake tabbed as the favorite.
2025-26 Marawood North Conference Preview Predicted Order of Finish1)
Rib Lake2)
Phillips3)
Chequamegon (Park Falls) 4)
Prentice5)
Abbotsford6)
AthensPlayers to Watch
Jalen Brunell, Chequamegon – As a sophomore, Brunell was chosen as a second-team all-Marawood North performer, posting 11.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game.
Mady Ernst, Chequamegon – Ernst was named first-team all-league as a sophomore, averaging 9.0 points, 2.2 assists, and 3.9 steals per game.
Kayla Gillett, Prentice – Gillett tallied 6.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per contest as a junior.
Emma Tlusty, Rib Lake – Tlusky was voted first-team all-Marawood North as a junior, averaging 9.4 points and 2.0 steals per game.
Tessa Weik, Rib Lake – As a junior, Welk received second-team all-league as a junior, tallying 8.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.
Team Capsules
AbbotsfordCoach: Kaylee Meyer, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 6-18
2024-25 Conference Finish: 4th, 5-11
Notable Returnees: Celia Schindler (sr., 5.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG), Riley Podevels (jr.), Marilyn Hammock (jr.), Asia Atkinson (sr.), Campbell Brodhagen (jr.)
Team Notes: The Falcons had a change at the top in the offseason, with Kaylee Meyer taking over the program.
AthensCoach: Mike Baer, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 2-21
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 2-14
Notable Returnees: Itzel Espinoza-Quiroz (soph., 5.7 PPG), Ellis Baer (jr.), Katie DenOtter (sr.), Vanessa Espinoza-Quiroz (sr.), McKenna Lepak (sr.), Ava Ford (sr.)
Team Notes: The Fighting Bluejays lost two of their top three scorers to graduation.
Chequamegon (Park Falls)Coach: Stephanie Ernst, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 4-21
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th, 1-15
Returning Starters: Jalen Brunell (jr.), Mady Ernst (jr.), Kaydence McKuen (jr.), Adi Bablick (5-3, sr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Mia Singer (jr.), Sherika Rudolph (jr.), Danica Mann (soph.), Gretchen Eder (soph.)
Newcomers: Marla Barnabas (fr.), Jozlyn Nelson (fr.), Ava Hanson (fr.)
Team Notes: The Screaming Eagles ended a 59-game Marawood losing streak last season and will look to build off that with the return of four starters.
Phillips Coach: Jeff Kind, 1st year; 45th overall (634-291)
2024-25 Record: 18-8
2024-25 Conference Finish: Marawood North champion (11-5)
Top Returnees: Raelee Williams (sr., 5.8 PPG), Anna Belan (sr., 5 PPG)
Other Returnees: Leah Harper (sr.), Brielle Mesko (sr.), Bella Rehberg (soph.)
Team Notes: WBCA Hall of Fame head coach Jeff Kind was hired to lead the program. Coach Kind is 5th on the state’s all-time wins list in girls basketball with 634 wins.
Prentice Coach: Chad Weinand, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 12-13
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 8-8
Returning Starters: Kayla Gillett (sr., 6 PPG, 8.8 RPG), Luca Blomberg (jr.), Ashlyn Englund (sr.), Kylie Orysen (sr.),
Other Returning Letterwinners: Maddy Freeman (soph.)
Newcomers: Hannah Gladson (soph.), Leah Lord (fr.), Riley Gillett (fr.), Ella Orysen (fr.)
Team Notes: Coach Weinand told MaxPreps they have a good core of girls who are athletic with a desire to win.
Rib LakeCoach: Austin Edwards, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 16-11, lost to D5 state qualifier Owen-Withee in sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 10-6
Returning Starters: Emma Tlusty (5-5, sr., 9.4 PPG), Tessa Weik (5-9, sr., 8.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG), Avery Niemi (5-7, sr., 5.6 PPG), Tahlia Scheithauer (5-3, sr., 3.3 APG, 3 APG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Megan Komarek (6-0, soph.), Madi Blomberg (5-6, sr.), Belle Gumz (5-3, sr.)
Newcomers: Esther Miranda Vasquez (soph.)
Team Notes: Coach Edwards said their strengths are experience, height, and speed, while three-point shooting is a weakness.
