2025-26 Central Wisconsin East Conference Preview Predicted Order of Finish1)
Wittenberg-Birnamwood2)
Bonduel3)
Menominee Nation4)
Amherst5)
Weyauwega-Fremont6)
Shiocton7)
Iola-Scandinavia8)
ManawaPlayers to Watch
Melaina Granquist, Wittenberg-Birnamwood – Granquist was named CWC East Player of the Year and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a junior. The Division I Western Illinois University recruit averaged 19.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game. Melaina also made 48 three-pointers.
Juliana Jacobs, Bonduel – As a junior, Jacobs earned second-team all-league honors, contributing 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest.
Aliyah Reese, Shiocton – Reese averaged 12.3 points and 2.7 steals per game as a junior, while also making 65 three-pointers.
Urijah Reevis, Menominee Nation – Reevis was named first-team all-conference as a junior, averaging 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 3.8 steals per game.
Harper Rogowski, Wittenberg-Birnamwood – As a sophomore, Rogowski received second-team all-league honors, tallying 10.1 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.3 steals per contest.
Rory Salvesen, Wittenberg-Birnamwood – Salvesen was voted first-team all-CWC East as a junior, averaging 17.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.7 steals per game. She also connected on 42 triples.
Alexis Wierzba, Amherst – Wierzba received second-team all-league recognition as a sophomore, tallying 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game.
Team Capsules AmherstCoach: Adam Miller, 2nd year; 16th overall (145-203)
2024-25 Record: 9-17
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 5-9
Returning Starters: Alexis Wierzba (jr., 10.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.8 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Miranda Pingle (soph.), Calee Schulist (sr.) Presley Voss (sr.), Hollie Singer (jr.)
Newcomers: Courtney Groholski (sr.)
Team Notes: The Falcons graduated four starters from last season. Coach Miller told MaxPreps that speed is a team strength.
BonduelCoach: Jerry Reinke, 11th year (193-59); 24th overall (354-172)
2024-25 Record: 21-6; lost to D4 state runner-up St. Mary Catholic in sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 12-2
Returning Starters: Juliana Jacobs (5-10, sr., 8.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG), Audrey Jacobs (5-9, soph., 5.3 PPG), Ally Zernicke (sr., 4.8 PPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Cierra Schnell (5-6, sr.), Jayla Reinke (sr.), Marlie Hartmann (sr.), Mariah Wondra (sr.), Emery Thompson (soph.), Peyton Westrich (soph.)
Newcomers: Casey Wesenberg (fr.)
Team Notes: The Bears brought back three starters from last year's team, which advanced to sectional play. Coach Reinke told MaxPreps that quickness and defense are strengths. "We will need to work to develop different ways to score, as most team members are defensively minded."
Iola-ScandinaviaCoach: Joel Biadasz, 7th year
2024-25 Record: 9-14
2024-25 Conference Finish: T6th, 4-10
Top Returnees: Emma Printz (5-4, jr., 5.9 PPG), Charlotte Isermann (5-7, jr., 5.5 PPG), Cayleight Woyak (5-10, jr., 5.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Ava Printz (5-6, sr., 4.3 PPG, 2 APG)
Other Notable Returnees: Katie Rosenthal (5-3, sr.), Maya Munoz (5-6, sr.), Brylee Jueds (5-8, sr.)
Team Notes: The Thunderbirds returned the majority of their roster from last season.
ManawaCoach: Tony Alioto, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 12-14
2024-25 Conference Finish: T6th, 4-10
Top Returnees: Abby Elmhorst (5-6, sr., 9.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.2 SPG), Lily Klatt (5-2, jr., 7.8 PPG, 2.6 SPG), Alayna Seeger (5-2, jr., 6.6 PPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Rylee Vanden Heuvel (5-3, sr.), Adelyn Schertz (5-8, soph.)
Team Notes: The Wolves brought back several contributors from last season.
Menominee Nation (Keshena) Coach: Warren Wilber III, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 13-12
2024-25 Conference Finish: T3rd, 7-7
Returning Starters: Urijih Reevis (5-8, sr., 18.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 3.8 SPG), Aaliyah Corn (5-8, jr., 8.4 PPG, 7 RPG, 2.5 SPG), Natalie Peters (5-10, sr., 4.6 PPG, 8 RPG, 2.9 BPG)
Other Returnees: Keira Nacotee (5-5, sr.), Cecelia Grignon (5-6, jr.), Taylesia Pamonicutt (5-7, jr.), Mylee Dixon (5-8, sr.)
Team Notes: The Eagles welcomed back three of their top five scorers from last season, with Urijih Reevis headlining the group.
Coach: Jeremy Young, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 6-18
2024-25 Conference Finish: 8th, 3-11
Returning Starters: Aliyah Reese (sr., 12.3 PPG, 65 3PM, 2.7 SPG), Bellah Young (jr., 4.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG), Maddy Murray (sr.), Hailey Affeldt (sr.)
Other Notable Returnees: Monica Young (soph.), Ashlee Neubert (jr.), Brenna Beilfuss (jr.)
Team Notes: The Chiefs returned the majority of their roster from last season.
Weyauwega-FremontCoach: Jason Parker, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 11-14
2024-25 Conference Finish: T3rd, 7-7
Notable Returnees: Elizabeth Koplien (5-9, jr., 6 PPG, 2.2 APG, 2.4 SPG), McKenna Ferg (5-9, sr.), Camille Birdyshaw (5-5, sr.)
Team Notes: The Warhawks graduated the majority of their scoring from their 2024-25 team.
Wittenberg-BirnamwoodCoach: Nick Mechelke, 10th year (155-38)
2024-25 Record: 27-1, lost to D3 state runner-up Xavier in a sectional final
2024-25 Conference Finish: CWC East champions (14-0)
Returning Starters: Melaina Granquist (5-11, sr., 19.7 PPG, 48 3PM, 10.3 RPG, 2.5 SPG), Rory Salvesen (sr., 17.5 PPG, 5 APG, 4.7 SPG), Harper Rogowski (5-5, jr., 10.1 PPG, 32 3PM, 3 APG, 3.3 SPG), Brie Ladika (sr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Ava Brie (jr.), Nora Bushman (jr.), Gracie Buchkowski (jr.)
Newcomers: Zoey Thorson (soph.)
Team Notes: The Chargers welcomed back four starters from last year's squad, which captured the CWC East title and finished one win away from the WIAA state tournament. Coach Mechelke told MaxPreps they are looking to be a balanced attack led by seniors Rory Salvesen and Melaina Granquist, and for junior Harper Rogowski to take on a bigger role on both ends of the court.
