2025-26 Six Rivers West Conference Preview
Predicted Order of Finish1)
Shullsburg2)
Belmont3)
Highland4)
Potosi/Cassville5)
River Ridge6)
Benton Players to Watch Hailey Alt, Shullsburg – Alt was named first-team all-Six Rivers West and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a freshman. She averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per contest. Hailey also made 47 three-pointers.
Adilyn Esser, Highland – Esser averaged 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game as a freshman. She also made 32 triples.
Carsyn Ramaker, Belmont – As a sophomore, Ramaker tallied 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest.
Lexi Riechers, Belmont – Riechers contributed 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game as a sophomore.
McKinley Russell, Shullsburg – Russell was voted first-team all-conference as a freshman. The Division I prospect averaged 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Ries Stluka, Benton – As a junior, Stluka earned second-team all-league, tallying 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.
Sophia Tarrelll, Highland – Tarrell collected 8.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game as a sophomore.
Manhattyn Udelhaven, Potosi/Cassville – Udelhaven received second-team all-league honors as a junior, averaging 7.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.
Team Capsules BelmontCoach: Kaleen McGettigan, 15th year (216-125)
2024-25 Record: 18-8
2024-25 Conference Finish: Six Rivers West champion (11-4)
Returning Starters: Lexi Riechers (5-6, jr., 8.1 PPG, 2.3 SPG), Carsyn Ramaker (5-9, jr., 8 PPG, 2.5 APG), Jaelyn Leitzinger (5-8, jr.)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Brittany Taylor (5-5, jr.), Raegyn Spangler (5-6, soph.)
Newcomers: Macie Krantz (5-10, soph.), Zoe Wedig (5-5, fr.), Claire Kletecka (5-7, fr.)
Team Notes: The Braves welcomed back two starters from last year's squad, which won the league title and advanced to a regional final before falling to Division 5 state runner-up Barneveld. Coach McGettigan told MaxPreps their strengths are team speed and defensive pressure.
Benton Coach: Mitch Brant, 7th year (18-119)
2024-25 Record: 1-24
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th, 1-14
Returning Starters: Ries Stluka (5-7, sr., 12.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2 SPG), Paisley Williams (jr., 5.1 PPG, 7 RPG), Maddie Davis (5-5, jr., 2.5 SPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Tayva Stoutenborough (5-4, jr.), Riley Buss (5-7, jr.), McKenna Haffele (sr.), Kaycie Fawcett (soph.), Alexa Saunders (5-8, soph.)
Newcomers: Faith Auderer (5-4, fr.), Addy Lawrence (5-8, fr.)
Team Notes: Coach Brant told MaxPreps they return a good core from last season, and their freshman will bring an extra boost with their energy. "Our goal is to turn defensive pressure into offense by pushing the ball in transition and creating easy scoring opportunities for ourselves."
HighlandCoach: Josh Tarrell, 16th year (183-168); 21st overall (256-198)
2024-25 Record: 10-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 4-11
Returning Starters: Adilyn Esser (5-9, soph., 10.8 PPG, 2 SPG), Sophia Tarrell (5-11, jr., 8.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.3 BPG), Addison Bedward (5-7, sr., 11.5 PPG in 4 games played)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Celia Oleson (5-9, soph., 5.5 PPG, 7 RPG), Caitlyn Fritsch (5-11, sr.), Brinleigh Bollant (5-3, sr.)
Newcomers: Hailee Kohout (sr.), Marissa Biba (jr.), Lily Tarrell (jr.), Emily Laufenberg (jr.), Ava Michek (soph.)
Team Notes: Coach Tarrell told MaxPreps that their strengths include length and experience.
Potosi/CassvilleCoach: Jamie Nebel, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 10-16
2024-25 Conference Finish: 4th, 5-10
Returnees: Lillie Cooley (5-10, sr., 7.9 PPG), Manhattyn Udelhofen (5-6, sr., 7.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.6 SPG), Brielle Fishnick (jr.), Ayva Yager (5-10, sr.)
Team Notes: The Potosi/Cassville co-op won 10 games last season, seven more than in 2023-24, and posted five league wins after going winless the previous year.
River Ridge Coach: Michael DiPadova, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 17-10
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 7-8
Returnees: Erin Adrian (5-7, jr., 6.3 PPG), Ava Nies (5-10, soph., 5.7 PPG), Mallory Crubel (5-8, jr.), Mckenzie Taylor (5-3, jr.), Kristina Sletten (5-4, jr.), Reese Moravits (5-3, soph.)
Team Notes: The Timberwolves graduated three of their top five scorers from last season and have new leadership. Coach DiPadova previously served as the head coach at North Crawford.
ShullsburgCoach: Nathan Russell, 18th year (257-142); 19th overall (266-151)
2024-25 Record: 20-8, lost to D5 state runner-up Barneveld in sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: 2nd, 10-5
Returning Starters: Hailey Alt (5-8, soph., 13.1 PPG, 2.3 SPG), McKinley Russell (6-1, soph., 9.4 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.2 BPG)
Other Returning Letterwinners: Alexis Alt (5-11, sr.), Belle Wiegel (5-5, jr.), Courtney Thyen (6-1, jr.), Addy Woodworth (5-9, soph.)
Team Notes: The Miners returned two of their top three scorers from last season's team, which advanced to sectional play. Coach Russell told MaxPreps they return a lot of length, height, and experience. He went on to say that they are a very good outside and free-throw shooting team, and should also be a good rebounding team. "Our team needs to mature, and we need to have a player (or players) step up to be a vocal leader of this group," he explained.
