2025-26 South Central Conference Preview Predicted Order of Finish1)
Wisconsin Dells2)
Mauston 3)
Westfield 4)
Berlin5)
Adams-Friendship (Adams)6)
Ripon 7)
Nekoosa8)
Wautoma
Players to Watch Jazlyn Alwin, Wisconsin Dells – In her debut season, Alwin averaged 10.8 points and 2.1 steals per contest, earning second-team all-conference.
Natalie Backhaus, Wisconsin Dells – Backhaus was named first-team all-South Central and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a junior. The NCAA Division II University of Sioux Falls commit averaged 18.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.5 steals per game for the Chiefs.
Halle Drew, Westfield – Drew took home second-team all-league honors as a junior, tallying 11.4 points per game and connecting on 35 three-pointers.
Bre Heller, Mauston – Heller was chosen as a second-team all-league performer as a junior. She averaged 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. Bre also connected on 43 triples.
Kayden Hockerman, Westfield – Hockerman contributed 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per contest as a junior for the Pioneers.
Ashiya Hopkins, Wisconsin Dells – As a junior, Hopkins received first-team all-league honors, tallying 14.3 points per game with 51 three-pointers made. She also contributed 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Catie Lavold, Mauston – As a junior, Lavold earned second-team all-South Central, averaging 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.6 steals per contest.
Piper Moyer, Adams-Friendship – Moyer was voted second-team all-league as a freshman for the Green Devils.
Lakelyn Sobieski, Berlin – Sobieski tallied 8.8 points and 2.0 steals per game as a junior. She also made 39 three-pointers.
Team Capsules Adams-Friendship (Adams)Coach: Ben Pease, 5th year
2024-25 Record: 9-16
2024-25 Conference Finish: 4th, 4-6
Notable Returnees: Piper Moyer (soph.), Bianca Smith (soph.), Ellie Schwabe (sr.), Gwen Gransee (sr.), Molly Johnson (sr.), Morgan Pare (sr.)
Team Notes: The Green Devils return several key players from last season.
BerlinCoach: Eric Hacker, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 9-17
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 4-8
Top Returnees: Lakelyn Sobieski (5-5, sr., 8.8 PPG, 39 3PM), Becca Bartol (5-3, sr., 5.6 PPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Lilly Johnson (5-10, sr.), Anika Pulvermacher (jr.), Makenzie Fox (5-8, jr.), Lauren Werch (5-4, sr.), Aubrie Hilgart (jr.), Savanna Huser (5-4, jr.)
Team Notes: The Indians join the South Central after previously competing in the now-defunct East Central.
Mauston Coach: Randy Marschall, 4th year
2024-25 Record: 19-6
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 6-4
Returning Starters: Bre Heller (6-0, sr., 11.6 PPG, 43 3PM, 6.6 RPG, 5 APG, 3.7 SPG), Catie Lavold (5-7, sr., 10.7 PPG, 6 RPG, 3.6 SPG), Ella Franek (5-6, sr., 7 PPG, 7.9 RPG), Ellie Pouillie (5-9, sr., 6.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Eden Finucan (5-4, jr.), Emalee Bohnert (5-6, sr.)
Team Notes: The Golden Eagles return four starters from their 2024-25 squad, which finished third in the league.
Nekoosa Coach: Julie Heuer, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 3-18
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 2-8
Notable Returnees: Addison Lepak (sr.), Taylor Krubsack (soph.), Emily Vega (soph.)
Team Notes: The Papermakers ended a long conference losing streak last season.
RiponCoach: Kerstin Sauerbrei, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 8-18
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th in East Central, 3-9
Returning Starters: Emma Resop (5-9, sr., 7.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG), Reese Brooks (5-8, sr.), Adele Minor (5-7, soph.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Millie Gales (5-0, soph.), Rayna Trochinski (sr.), Emerson Pier (5-6, jr.), Dani Brewer (soph.)
Newcomers: Paisley Spaulding (fr.)
Team Notes: The Tigers are a new member of the SCC, previously in the East Central. Ripon graduate Kerstin Sauerbrei (2020) was named the team’s new leader in the offseason. Coach Sauerbrei told MaxPreps their strengths include energy, aggressiveness, and the ability to play as a team.
Wautoma Coach: Emalee Lipke, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 0-25
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th, 0-10
Notable Returnees: Kelcey Michalski (5-7, jr.), Morgan Meyer (soph.), Cami Nitz (sr.), Claire Swen (soph.)
Team Notes: The Hornets entered the year with a 26-game losing streak.
WestfieldCoach: Luke Showen, 9th year (152-55)
2024-25 Record: 24-4, lost to The Prairie School in a D4 sectional final
2024-25 Conference Finish: South Central co-champions (9-1)
Top Returnees: Halle Drew (5-9, sr., 11.4 PPG, 35 3PM), Kaden Hockerman (5-5, sr., 5.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG)
Other Returnees: Libbie Showen (5-6, soph.), Brooklyn Stankiewicz (soph.), Peyton Williams (5-4, soph.), Claire Peschel (5-7, jr.), Gabby Ciaroni (soph.)
Team Notes: The Pioneers have won at least a share of the last five South Central titles. They will, however, need to fill the void left with the graduation of SCC Player of the Year Haddie Showen, who is now playing at Division II Northern Michigan.
Wisconsin Dells Coach: Robert Buss, 13th year (212-66)
2024-25 Record: 21-3, lost to D3 state qualifier Elk Mound in sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: South Central co-champions (9-1)
Returning Starters: Natalie Backhaus (6-1, sr., 18.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG), Ashiya Hopkins (5-9, sr., 14.3 PPG, 51 3PM), Josie Griffin (5-8, sr., 5.3 PPG), Maia Marsich (5-0, sr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Jaz Alwin (5-8, soph., 10.8 PPG), Madi Gussel (5-8, sr.)
Newcomers: Izzy Smith (sr.), Aja Gall (fr.)
Team Notes: The Chiefs return four starters from last year’s team, which won a share of the SCC title and advanced to sectional play. Coach Buss told MaxPreps their strengths are toughness and experience. “Weaknesses are depth and inside play.”
