2025-26 North Eastern Conference Preview Predicted Order of Finish1)
Freedom2)
Denmark3)
Luxemburg-Casco4)
Wrightstown5)
Oconto Falls6)
Marinette7)
Little Chute8)
Waupaca9)
Clintonville
Players to Watch Hailey Bechard, Waupaca – Bechard was a unanimous first-team all-North Eastern selection as a junior, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 5.5 steals per contest. She also made 49 triples.
Jaydah Bork, Freedom – Bork contributed 6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game as a junior.
Brianna Bray, Luxemburg-Casco – As a junior, Bay earned second-team all-NEC, tallying 11.4 points, 1.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. She also connected on 58 three-pointers.
Kiarrah Micolichek, Denmark – Micolichek took home second-team all-league recognition as a junior, averaging 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. She also made 39 three-pointers.
Rylie Shallow, Oconto Falls – Shallow was a unanimous first-team all-league pick as a junior. She averaged 16.1 points, 2.3 assists, and 4.6 steals per contest.
Allie Vanvonderen, Denmark – VanVonderen was a unanimous first-team all-NEC selection, averaging 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per contest.
Ella Verbeten, Wrightstown – Verbeten was named North Eastern Player of the Year as a junior. She averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Ella also connected on 49 triples.
Elizabeth Wade, Marinette – As a sophomore, Wade was voted first-team all-NEC, averaging 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. She also made 40 three-pointers.
Team Capsules ClintonvilleCoach: Beau Hoffman, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 2-23
2024-25 Conference Finish: 9th, 2-16
Returning Starters: Zoey Ferg (5-11, sr., 9.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.1 BPG), Morgan Retzlaff (5-2, jr., 4.9 PPG), Brianna Birling (5-9, jr.), Kara Danforth (5-5, sr.)
Other Notable Returnees: Abby Tate (5-7, sr.), Caitlyn Prue (5-8, sr.), Olivia Henning (5-2, sr.)
Team Notes: The Truckers brought back the majority of their contributors from last season.
DenmarkCoach: Garett Vander Loop, 4th year
2024-25 Record: 16-10
2024-25 Conference Finish: 4th, 11-7
Returning Starters: Kiarrah Micolichek (5-7, sr., 15.1 PPG, 39 3PM, 2.6 APG, 2 SPG), Allie VanVonderen (5-7, jr., 14.1 PPG, 2.2 SPG), Paige Selner (5-9, sr., 9.1 PPG), Paige Vogel (5-9, sr., 4.5 PPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Shaelyn Kraschnewski (5-7, jr.), Alison Lindsley (5-5, soph.)
Newcomers: Alex Brice (5-8, soph.), Rebekah Dittmer (5-5, soph.), Mya Lamack (5-7, soph.), Sydney Pieschek (5-6, soph.)
Team Notes: The Vikings returned four starters, including their top three scorers from last year's team.
FreedomCoach: Mike Vander Loop, 23rd year (430-138)
2024-25 Record: 20-7, lost to Wittenberg-Birnamwood in D3 sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 14-4
Returning Starters: Breana Dickrell (5-9, sr., 7.9 PPG, 53 3PM), Jaydah Bork (5-8, sr., 6.8 PPG, 2.7 APG, 2.2 SPG),
Other Notable Returnees: Ava Calhoon (5-8, soph., 6.3 PPG), Stella Verhasselt (5-10, sr.), Chloe Brown (5-10, sr.), Callie Anderson (5-4, jr.),
Newcomers: Teagan Brown (5-10, fr.), Khloe VandenBerg (5-7, fr.), Addison Nechodom (5-9, soph.)
Team Notes: The Irish welcomed back two starters from their 2024-25 squad, which advanced to sectionals.
Little ChuteCoach: William Greenwood II, 6th year (9-104); 12th overall (77-163)
2024-25 Record: 2-23
2024-25 Conference Finish: 10th, 0-18
Returning Starters: Elliana Martin (5-8, sr., 4.4 PPG), Brooklynn Merchant (sr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Hannah Nash (5-5, sr.), Grace Van Grinsven (5-2, sr.), Alicia Wilber (5-7, sr.), Lilah McGregor (soph.)
Newcomers: Lauren Vosters (fr.), Hattie Grishaber (fr.), Adalyn Engel (fr.), Autumn Thiel (fr.), Taryn Van Wychen (fr.)
Team Notes: The Mustangs notched a win over Waupaca in their second North Eastern contest of the season after going winless the previous two seasons in league play. Coach Greenwood II told MaxPreps that their strengths are speed, shooting, and defensive intensity.
Luxemburg-CascoCoach: Beth Budnik, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 11-14
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 10-8
Returning Starters: Brianna Bray (5-4, sr., 11.4 PPG, 58 3PM, 2 SPG), Sienna Blohowiak (5-3, jr., 11.2 PPG, 2.6 APG, 2.8 SPG), Alayna Deprez (5-8, sr., 4.9 PPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Chloe Host (5-7, sr.), Alana Mrotek (5-2, sr.), Alayna Heurkens (5-3, jr.)
Team Notes: The Spartans brought back three starters, including their top two scorers from last season.
Marinette Coach: Zac Barker, 7th year
2024-25 Record: 22-5, lost to Shawano in D2 sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: NEC champions (16-2)
Returning Starters: Elizabeth Wade (5-8, jr., 10.5 PPG, 2.2 APG, 2.4 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Bianca Furton (5-6, soph.), Anna Marzahl (5-7, jr.), Bailey Krouth (5-6, jr.), Brynn Coakley (5-8, soph.)
Newcomers: Delaney Menor (5-4, soph.), Mia Riopelle (5-6, soph.) Sophia Baron (5-9, soph.)
Team Notes: The Marines, two-time defending North Eastern champions, have a revamped roster after the graduation of four starters from last year's squad, which advanced to sectional play. "Our strength this season will be our size and physicality," coach Barker told MaxPreps.
Oconto FallsCoach: Tim Solarek, 6th year; 11th overall
2024-25 Record: 11-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: T7th, 8-10
Returning Starters: Rylie Shallow (5-6, sr., 16.1 PPG, 2.3 APG, 4.6 SPG), Ella Jahnke (5-10, jr., 9.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Brylee Gorman (6-0, jr.), Neala Horkman (5-5, soph.), Addy Leja (5-4, sr.), Izzy Otto (5-6, jr.), Kylie Thompson (5-6, sr.)
Newcomers: Braelynn Schultz (5-5, soph.), Brenna Belanger (5-7, soph.)
Team Notes: The Panthers returned two starters, headlined by Rylie Shallow, from last year's squad.
WaupacaCoach: Rob Scherrer, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 11-14
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th, 9-9
Notable Returnees: Hailey Bechard (5-6, sr., 17.1 PPG, 49 3PM, 2 APG, 5.5 SPG), Taylor Kling (5-7, sr., 7.6 PPG), Ava Widdel (5-10, sr., 6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 2.7 SPG), Amelia Koran (5-8, sr.)
Team Notes: The Comets returned three of their top four scorers from last season, led by Hailey Bechard.
WrightstownCoach: Eric Bombinski, 4th year (45-31)
2024-25 Record: 14-12
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 12-6
Returning Starters: Ella Verbeten (5-9, sr., 15.5 PPG, 49 3PM, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 2.1 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Madelyn DeCleene (5-8, jr.), Lauren Podgorski (5-6, jr.), Eliney Welhouse (5-8, soph.), Audrey Zirbel (5-10, jr.), Lydia Ducat (5-10, soph.), Ashlyn Cavanaugh (5-10, soph.), Natalie McDonald (5-8, jr.), Chayse Nelson (5-8, sr.)
Team Notes: The Tigers graduated four starters from last year's squad, but do welcome back reigning North Eastern Player of the Year Ella Verbeten to build around. Coach Bombinski told MaxPreps that speed and athleticism are their team strengths.
