Wisconsin high school girls basketball: CWC South Preview

2025-26 Central Wisconsin South Conference Preview

Predicted Order of Finish

1) Pacelli
2) Almond-Bancroft
3) Pittsville
4) Wild Rose
5) Rosholt
6) Port Edwards
Tri-County- JV-only

Players to Watch

Mya Dernbach, Almond-Bancroft – Dernbach was unanimous first-team all-CWC South and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a junior. She averaged 21 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 3.6 steals per game.

Addi Gagas, Rosholt – As a junior, Gagas received second-team all-league honors, averaging 17.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 7.3 steals per contest.

Alyson Henschel, Wild Rose – Henschel contributed 12.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 3.8 steals per game as a sophomore.

Aaliyah Newby, Almond-Bancroft – Newby earned second-team all-CWC South as a junior, tallying 14.2 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.4 steals per game.

Maddy Pionek, Pacelli – As a sophomore, Pionek received second-team all-league honors, averaging 12.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.7 steals per game.

Ella Van Order, Pacelli – Van Order was voted second-team all-conference as a junior, contributing 10.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest.

Jaedyn Zdroik, Pacelli – Zdroik was named CWC South Player of the Year and WBCA all-state as a sophomore. The Division I prospect averaged 14.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 7.3 steals per contest. Jaedyn also made 37 three-pointers.

Team Capsules

Almond-Bancroft
Coach: Chad Newby, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 20-7
2024-25 Conference Finish: 4th, 7-4
Returning Starters: Mya Dernbach (5-11, sr., 21 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 3.6 SPG), Aaliyah Newby (5-9, sr., 14.2 PPG, 50 3PM, 4.2 APG, 3.4 APG), Oakley Omernik (5-10, sr., 8.3 RPG), Riya Ceballos (5-6, sr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Emalee Petrick (5-5, sr.), Aubrey Phillips (5-9, sr.), Lexi Carlton (5-6, jr.), Lacey Bradley (5-7, jr.), Tia Dernbach (5-11, sr.), Sophia Chapa (5-6, soph.)

Team Notes: The Eagles returned four starters from last year's team, which advanced to a regional final before losing to the eventual Division 5 state champion, Assumption.

Pacelli (Stevens Point)
Coach: Allison Smaglik, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 21-7, lost to D5 state champion Assumption in sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: CWC South champions, 11-1
Returning Starters: Jaedyn Zdroik (5-10, jr., 14.4 PPG, 37 3PM, 9 RPG, 8.1 APG, 7.3 SPG), Madelyn Pionek (5-6, jr., 12.1 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.7 SPG), Ella Van Order (5-9, sr., 10.9 PPG),
Other Notable Returnees: Haylee Cisewski (5-11, jr., 10.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.4 SPG), Samantha Sankey (5-5, sr.)

Team Notes: The Cardinals welcomed back three starters from last year's team, which reached sectional play before falling to Assumption, the eventual Division 5 state champions.

Pittsville
Coach: Jason Knott, 3rd year (50-11); 10th overall (98-38)
2024-25 Record: 21-6
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 9-3
Returning Starters: None
Other Returning Letterwinners: Lana Vollert (sr.), Kendall Knott (soph.), Brilee Luepke (jr.), Addy Elsasser (jr.), Bailey Smazal (jr.), Halle Friday (jr.)
Newcomers: Brynlee Grimm (fr.), Harper Abel (fr.), Bree Smazal (fr.), Sloane Withers (soph.), Kailyn Grossman (soph.)

Port Edwards
Coach: Ethan Jensen, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 2-22
2024-25 Conference Finish: 7th, 0-12
Returning Starters: Taylin McDonald (5-7, sr., 9.7 PPG, 37 3PM, 6.3 RPG, 2.4 SPG), Breanna Ingram (5-9, sr., 7.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG), Valedia Hernandez (5-6, jr.)
Newcomers: Sierra Eklund (5-10, sr.), Aliya Ostrum (5-5, jr.), Amelia Abley (5-5, fr.), Noelle Combs (5-3, fr.), Kaelyn Green (5-0, fr.)

Team Notes: The Blackhawks brought back three starters from last season. Coach Jensen told MaxPreps that chemistry should be solid among the core.

Rosholt
Coach: Steve Schoofs, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 6-17
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 4-7
Top Returnees: Addi Gagas (5-7, sr., 17.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 7.3 SPG), Lia Kezeske (5-6, jr., 16.2 PPG, 39 3PM, 7.5 RPG, 4.6 APG, 6.9 SPG), Alexis Pasholk (5-5, jr.)
Other Returnees: Abby Phillip (5-5, soph.), Hailey Losinski (5-5, jr.), Lili Losinski (5-11, sr.)

Team Notes: The Hornets welcomed back all of their top players from last season.

Tri-County (Plainfield)
2024-25 Record: 5-17
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th, 2-10

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

Wild Rose
Coach: Brett Brooks, 9th year (118-45)
2024-25 Record: 19-7
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 8-4
Returning Starters: Alyson Henschel (jr., 12.4 PPG, 32 3PM, 2 APG, 3.8 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Cecilia Christensen (soph.), Harper Shipley (soph.), Cali Bahr (sr.)
Newcomers: Riley Quick (sr.), Rachel Ballinger (jr.), Maelynn Fishbach (jr.), Bella Vanderwerff (soph.), Makenzie Kelly (soph.), Makenna Jewell (soph.), Becca Button (soph.), Suryiah Hottenstein (soph.)

Team Notes: The Wildcats will build around Alyson Henschel after the graduation of four starters from last season. Coach Brooks told MaxPreps their strength is their willingness to learn and compete. "We have young athletes who are willing to work to become basketball players."