Wisconsin high school girls basketball: Capitol North Preview

2025-26 Capitol North Conference Preview

Predicted Order of Finish

1) Lakeside Lutheran
2) Poynette
3) Lodi
4) Columbus 
5) Waupun
6) Lake Mills

Players to Watch

Avalyn Albrecht, Poynette – Albrecht was named Capitol North Player of the Year and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a sophomore. The UW-Green Bay commit averaged 16.8 points, 13.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 steals, and 5.3 blocks per game.

Gracie Clary, Lodi – Clary was voted first-team all-conference as a junior, tallying 14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.7 steals per game.

Isabelle Markevitch, Columbus – Markevitch was named second-team all-Capitol North as a sophomore, averaging 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest.

Nadia Murphy, Lakeside Lutheran – Murphy received second-team all-league recognition as a sophomore, averaging 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Paige Murphy, Lakeside Lutheran – Murphy was a unanimous first-team all-conference pick as a sophomore, averaging 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.1 steals per game.


Team Capsules

Columbus
Coach: Marcus Hensler, 3rd year
2024-25 Record: 11-16
2024-25 Conference Finish: T3rd, 3-5
Returning Starters: Isabelle Markevitch (5-10, jr., 10.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG), Payton Dornaus (5-7, jr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Kinsley Venden (5-6, soph., 8.7 PPG, 38 3PM, 3.2 APG), Gwen Kalafut (5-7, jr.), Paige Bindl (5-6, jr.), Taylor Nack (5-8, soph.)
Newcomers: Mariyah Nachreiner (jr.), Kensley Sullivan (soph.), Josee Downing (soph.)

Team Notes: The Cardinals returned two starters from last season. Coach Hensler told MaxPreps their team strengths include athleticism, quickness, and defense.

Lake Mills
Coach: Vivian Guerrero, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 3-22
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 0-8
Notable Returnees: Milan Fullerton (5-8, jr., 11.4 PPG), Sydney Grundahl (5-6, soph., 7.6 PPG), Ava Plitzuweit (5-4, sr., 6.3 PPG), McKenna Klubertanz (5-5, jr.), Morgan Naylor (5-9, jr.), Hannah Kulow (5-7, soph.)

Team Notes: The L-Cats hired Vivian Guerrero, a 2021 Lake Mills graduate, to lead their program.

Lakeside Lutheran (Lake Mills)
Coach: Andy Asmus, 5th year (68-56)
2024-25 Record: 15-11
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 6-2
Returning Starters: Paige Murphy (5-10, jr., 14.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, 3.1 SPG). Nadia Murphy (5-11, jr., 10.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG). Ella Lauber (5-8, sr., 7.4 PPG, 2.2 APG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Faith Leckwee (5-7, sr.), Kylie Lundgren (6-0, sr.), Molly Wiedenfeld (5-3, sr.)
Newcomers: Camden Bastian (5-10, jr.), Kara Meske (5-11, jr.)

Team Notes: The Warriors brought back three of their top four scorers from last season's squad. Coach Asmus told MaxPreps they should have a deeper bench than they did in the past.

Lodi
Coach: Nathan Morter,
2024-25 Record: 13-12
2024-25 Conference Finish: T3rd, 3-5
Notable Returnees: Gracie Clary (6-2, sr., 14.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.2 SPG, 3.7 SPG), Taylor Reese (5-5, sr., 13.9 PPG, 54 3PM), Zoey Bahe (5-7, jr., 9.7 PPG, 2.3 SPG)

Team Notes: The Blue Devils returned three starters from last season.

Poynette
Coach: Sam Gerard, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 23-3
2024-25 Conference Finish: Capitol North champions, 8-0
Notable Returnees: Avalyn Albrecht (6-1, jr., 16.8 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.3 SPG, 5.3 BPG), Capri LaPacek (5-8, sr., 8.4 PPG, 55 3PM)

Team Notes: The Pumas are led by UW-Green Bay commit Avalyn Albrecht, the team's lone returning starter.

Waupun
Coach: Austin Gifford, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 14-12
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 8-4
Notable Returnees: Eden Schultz (6-1, sr., 7.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG), Alexis Babiash (5-10, soph., 5.5 PPG), Carley White (5-4, sr.), Ryann Babiash (5-8, sr.), Addie Voight (6-1, jr.)

Team Notes: The Warriors joined the league after previously competing in the East Central.