Wisconsin high school girls basketball: Northern Lakes Preview

2025-26 Northern Lakes Conference Preview

Predicted Order of Finish

1) Wabeno/Laona
2) Three Lakes/Phelps
3) Florence 
4) Crandon
5) Elcho
Goodman-Pembine - JV only schedule

Players to Watch



Haylee Barnekow, Three Lakes/Phelps – Barnekow was named first-team all-Northern Lakes as a junior, averaging 11.7 points per contest.

Paige Brafford, Three Lakes/Phelps – Brafford received second-team all-NLC as a junior, averaging 6.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Naomi Millan, Florence – Millan earned second-team all-conference recognition as a sophomore, averaging 5.8 points and 2.2 steals per contest.

CeCe Mills, Florence – As a sophomore, Mills was chosen as a second-team all-league performer, tallying 9.5 points per game and making 36 three-pointers.

Lily Terry, Wabeno/Laona – Terry was voted first-team all-NCL as a junior, averaging 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.

Brynn Yaeger, Wabeno/Laona – As a sophomore, Yaeger received second-team all-league honors, tallying 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game.



Team Capsules

Crandon
Coach: Jeff Mayer,
2024-25 Record: 21-5
2024-25 Conference Finish: NLC champions (8-0)
Notable Returnees: Malia Stamper (5-6, jr.), Briley Erdmann (5-4, jr.), Lydia Belland (5-5, jr.)

Team Notes: The Cardinals' run of claiming at least a share of the last eight Northern Lakes titles is in jeopardy with no key holdovers from last year's team.

Elcho
Coach: Emma Reynolds, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 2-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 0-8
Returning Starters: Luci Pukall (jr., 7 PPG, 8.5 RPG), Hannah Schmidt (sr., 5.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2 SPG), Lauren Eighmy (sr.), Malorie Malitz (jr.)
Other Notable Returnees: Isabelle Multhauf (soph.). Ruthie Visser (jr.)

Team Notes: The Hornets returned their entire roster from last season.

Florence
Coach: Stanley Millan, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 16-10
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 4-4
Notable Returnees: CeCe Mills (5-5, jr., 9.5 PPG, 36 3PM), Miley VanDenheuvel (5-10, soph., 6.3 PPG), Kelsi Chrisman (5-7, soph., 6 PPG, 4.5 SPG), Naomi Millan (5-7, jr., 5.8 PPG, 2.2 SPG), Ashley Peterson (5-5, sr.),



Team Notes: The Bobcats brought back four of their top five scorers from last season.
Coach: Laura Strietzel, 5th year
2024-25 Record: 1-4
2024-25 Conference Finish: NA
Returnees: Emersyn Suther (jr.), Sophia Vogel (sr.), Jolie Seidel (sr.)

Team Notes: The Patriots will play a JV-only schedule again this season.

Three Lakes/Phelps
Coach: Michele Brown, veteran coach
2024-25 Record: 10-14
2024-25 Conference Finish: 4th, 2-6
Returning Starters: Haylee Barnekow (5-5, sr., 11.7 PPG), Kailyn Fogerty (5-8, sr., 6.4 PPG, 2.5 APG), Paige Brafford (6-2, sr., 6.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG), Malia Szews (5-7, soph., 5.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.2 SPG), Libby Eppler (5-10, sr., 5 PPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Kylee Wilson (5-5, sr.), Ayla Connor (5-7, sr.), Kassidy Williams (5-9, sr.)

Team Notes: The Bluejays welcomed back all of their key players from last year's team. Coach Brown is back for another stint as their head coach.

Wabeno/Laona
Coach: Andrew Harrison, 12th year (167-109); 13th overall (175-125)
2024-25 Record: 11-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 6-2
Returning Starters: Brynn Yaeger (5-9, jr., 7.2 PPG, 2.8 SPG), Lily Terry (6-0, sr., 7.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.5 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Reese Connor (5-3, jr.), Lovey VanZile (5-9, sr.), Stella Albrecht (5-3, soph.), Tori Winkelman (5-6, soph.), Payton Shampo (5-3, soph.), Autumn Lane (5-6, sr.), Precious VanZile (5-9, sr.)
Newcomers: Jessony Cook (5-4, soph.)



Team Notes: The Rebels returned two starters from their 2024-25 squad. Coach Harrison told MaxPreps that they will be young again this year. "We are inexperienced at a varsity level, but we have a bunch of girls who will work hard every single day and should compete at a high level once again."