2025-26 Big Eight Conference Preview Predicted Order of Finish1)
Verona 2)
Madison Memorial3)
Madison La Follette 4)
Janesville Craig 5)
Sun Prairie East 6)
Middleton7)
Sun Prairie West8)
Madison East9)
Janesville Parker10)
Madison West
Players to Watch 
Nyajuacni Riak last season as a freshman, playing against St. Catherine's.(PHOTO: Kevin Geisler)
, Madison Memorial – Blue was named first-team all-Big Eight as a junior. The NCAA Division I Wagner commit averaged 13.8 points per game with 64 three-pointers made last season. Avery also tallied 3.2 assists and 4.2 steals per contest.
Kennedi Harden, Madison Memorial – As a sophomore, Harden received second-team all-league, tallying 6.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.
Tatum Inda, Madison East – Inda took home second-team all-conference as a sophomore, averaging 16.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 3.5 steals per game.
Alli Jirsa, Verona – Jirsa was named honorable mention WBCA all-state and first-team all-Big Eight as a junior. The NCAA Division II Northern Michigan commit averaged 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game for the Wildcats.
Ni'Kera Martin, Madison Memorial – Martin received second-team all-Big Eight as a junior, tallying 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Jordan Maselter, Sun Prairie West – Maselter will take on a leading role after averaging 5.4 points, 2.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game for the Wolves as a freshman.
Brooke Michelotti, Middleton – Michelotti was selected second-team all-Big Eight as a junior, averaging 12.2 points per game with 47 three-pointers made for the Cardinals.
Noelle Rauwolf, Verona – As a sophomore, Rauwolf averaged 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per contest on her way to earning second-team all-conference.
Nyajuacni Riak, Madison La Follette – Riak is one of the top sophomores in the nation with a long list of NCAA Division I offers. In her debut season, she was named honorable mention WBCA all-state and first-team all-conference. Riak averaged 24.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.7 blocks per contest.
Yana-Aaliyah Stevens, Janesville Craig – As a freshman, Stevens was chosen as a second-team all-league performer. The NCAA Division I prospect averaged 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
Ava Vogler, Sun Prairie East – Vogler was voted first-team all-conference as a sophomore, tallying 16 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.
Team Capsules Janesville CraigCoach: Kellan Schmidt, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 8-18
2024-25 Conference Finish: 7th, 7-11
Notable Returnees: Yana-Aallyah Stevens (5-10, soph., 13.1 PPG), Abbie Claas (5-9, jr., 12.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG), Nevaeh Johnson (5-5, jr., 5.9 PPG), Adilynn Wellnitz (6-0, soph.), Ava Schaffner (5-3, jr.), Tate Jacobson (5-8, sr.)
Team Notes: The Cougars welcome back the bulk of their scoring from last season, led by Division I prospect Yana-Aallyah Stevens.
Janesville ParkerCoach: Katie DeZeeuw, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 4-21
2024-25 Conference Finish: 9th, 2-16
Notable Returnees: Nichari Tucker (sr.), Harper Brandenburg (sr.), Kyra Babbitt (soph.), Sophie Brown (sr.), Myalee Kuennen (sr.), Kylee Haley (soph.)
Team Notes: The Vikings are in the second year under the leadership of Katie DeZeeuw, who won back-to-back titles at Parker as a player (2000, 2001).
Madison EastCoach: Alysha Justice, 4th year
2024-25 Record: 7-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: 8th, 5-13
Returning Starters: Tatum Inda (jr., 16.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.5 SPG), Tanayah Holmes (jr., 7.8 PPG), Ahviana Dean Baker (soph., 6.4 PPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: none
Team Notes: Coach Justice told MaxPreps that they are a young team with limited numbers.
Madison La FolletteCoach: Will Green, 11th year (98-85)
2024-25 Record: 13-10
2024-25 Conference Finish: T3rd, 12-6
Returning Starters: Nyajuacni Riak (6-2, soph., 24.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG), Jacela Fields (5-7, soph., 6.8 PPG), Alex Quanbeck (5-7, soph., 5.6 PPG), Madelyn Jenkins (5-11, sr., 5 PPG), ToriyJa Woods (5-8, soph., 5.8 PPG, 7 RPG; out for season with torn ACL)
Other Returning Letterwinners: NDey Cham (5-11, jr., 6.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG), Elizabeth Duncan (5-6, jr.), Kamia Hutchins (5-6, jr.), Josie Goodnature (5-6, sr.)
Newcomers: Maya Listersky (soph.), Honesty Morris (soph.), Ahvi Harrison Vaquera
Team Notes: The Lancers' squad is headlined by phenom Nyajuacni Riak, who is one of the top sophomores in the nation. "With a year of growth and maturity, we will look to build on our progress with improved defense, length, quickness, and strong rebounding," explained coach Green. He went on to say that Riak's presence on the court will draw significant defensive attention, creating opportunities for her teammates to shine.
Madison MemorialCoach: Marques Flowers, 12th year (141-127)
2024-25 Record: 20-6
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 16-2
Returning Starters: Avery Blue (5-6, sr., 13.8 PPG, 64 3PM, 3.2 APG, 4.2 SPG), Ni'Kera Martin (5-9, sr., 9.7 PPG, 6 RPG), Neveah Jackson (5-6, sr., 8.8 PPG), Kennedi Harden (5-6, jr., 6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.2 APG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Chanty Wilson (5-3, sr., 5.5 PPG), Orla McGee (6-0, soph.), Lamya Willis (5-6, jr.), Kaliah Gray (5-6, sr.)
Newcomers: Alana Eubanks (6-0, jr.), Elise Trombley (5-9, soph.), Ariela Perez-Monroe (5-6, soph.)
Team Notes: The Spartans return seven of their top eight players, led by Avery Blue, who was second on the team in scoring last season. Coach Flowers said that other strengths are speed, athleticism, and depth. He noted that rebounding and interior defense are weaknesses with the graduation of Princess Nwachukwu.
Madison WestCoach: Chelsea Jones, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 1-22
2024-25 Conference Finish: 10th, 0-18
Notable Returnees: Za'Riyah Jackson (5-9, sr.), Esme Sidney (jr.), Naomi Borman (soph.) Ari Kontny (sr.), Isabel Roang (soph.)
Team Notes: The Regents enter the year with a 63-game Big Eight losing streak.
MiddletonCoach: Rashard Griffith, 4th year
2024-25 Record: 11-14
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 10-8
Notable Returnees: Brooke Michelotti (5-8, sr., 12.2 PPG, 47 3PM), Rowan Borne (5-8, sr., 8.7 PPG, 2.9 SPG), Hailey Stroede (5-9, sr., 7 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
Team Notes: Former Wisconsin Badger Rashard Griffith enters his fourth season as the Cardinals' leader.
Sun Prairie EastCoach: Crystal Brandl, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 10-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th, 8-10
Returning Starters: Ava Vogler (5-8, jr., 16 PPG, 6.9 RPG), Kiera Place (5-9, sr., 6.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG), Addy Bowie (5-6, sr., 5.2 PPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Brooke Kavanaugh (5-6, sr.), Keira Martin (5-5, sr.), Cam Dwyer (5-7, jr.), Kate Dwyer (5-7, jr.)
Newcomers: Isamae Cleveland (soph.), Ella Camp (soph.), Natalie Brandl (fr.)
Team Notes: Coach Brandl told MaxPreps that athleticism and speed are strengths, while dealing with two players out with ACL injuries are weaknesses.
Sun Prairie WestCoach: Ronda McLin, 4th year at SPW, 7th overall
2024-25 Record: 12-10
2024-25 Conference Finish: T3rd, 12-6
Notable Returnees: Jordan Maselter (5-5, soph., 5.4 PPG), Layla Maggit (5-10, sr.), Maci Copley (5-7, soph.)
Team Notes: The Wolves will need to replace the majority of their scoring from last season.
VeronaCoach: Lexy Richardson, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 24-3, lost to D1 state qualifier Arrowhead in sectionals.
2024-25 Conference Finish: Big Eight champions (18-0)
Top Returnees: Alli Jirsa (5-9, sr., 12.7 PPG, 3 SPG), Noelle Rauwolf (5-5, jr., 10.3 PPG, 4.3 APG), Macy Stremlow (5-9, soph., 9.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Riley Hanson (5-6, jr.), Ellie Goodavish (6-0, sr.), Nadie Rahn (5-7, sr.), Alexa Rupnow (5-2, sr.)
Newcomers: Laylaa Peterson (soph.)
Team Notes: The Wildcats have claimed at least a share of the last four Big Eight titles and enter the year with a 59-game conference winning streak. Alli Jirsa headlines the group of returnees for Verona.
