2025-26 Middle Border Conference Preview Predicted Order of Finish1)
St. Croix Central2)
Prescott3)
Amery4)
Baldwin-Woodville5)
Altoona6)
Somerset7)
Ellsworth8)
OsceolaPlayers to Watch
Grace Braithwaite, Somerset – Braithwaite received second-team all-Middle Border honors as a junior, averaging 11.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per contest.
Miley Brotzel, Amery – As a sophomore, Brotzel was chosen as a second–team all-league pick, tallying 12.3 points per game and knocking down 60 three-pointers.
Shannon Fritts, Baldwin-Woodville – Fritts contributed 6.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game as a junior.
Sophie Hook, St. Croix Central – Hook was named first-team all-MBC as a junior, averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. She also made 37 triples.
Addison Kofal, St. Croix Central – As a junior, Kofal was voted first-team all-league, tallying 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. She also connected on 57 from behind the arc.
Violet Otto, Prescott – Otto was named first-team all-MBC and honorable mention WBCA all-state as a junior. The Division II St. Cloud State University commit averaged 19.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Violet also made 76 three-pointers.
Team Capsules AltoonaCoach: Michelle Peplinski, 6th year (73-54); 15th overall (205-138)
2024-25 Record: 12-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: 6th
Returning Starters: Brayln Siverling (sr., 6.5 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.2 SPG), Lily Duquaine (sr., 5.8 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 SPG)
Other Returnees: Kennadie Berg (sr., 4.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG), Jasmen Klika (jr.), Brya Kleinschmidt (jr.)
Newcomers: Callie Planert (sr.), Kassidy Camastral (jr.), Alexis Wirth (jr.), Piper Anderson (jr.), Lulu Strehlo (jr.), Reese Wolfe (soph.), Braea Brion (fr.)
Team Notes: The Railroaders graduated two of their top three scorers from last season.
Amery Coach: Gabe Brotzel, 14th year (174-124)
2024-25 Record: 17-7
2024-25 Conference Finish: 3rd, 9-5
Returnees: Miley Brotzel (5-6, jr., 12.3 PPG, 60 3PM), Rylee Reese (5-5, soph.), Kaleigh Wilson (5-8, jr.), Sophia Trandum (5-9, jr.), Kallie Anderson (5-6, sr.), Josie Maxon (5-8, jr.)
Team Notes: The Warriors will build around Miley Brotzel after the graduation of nearly all of their key players from last season.
Baldwin-Woodville (Baldwin) Coach: Lance Kamm, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 23-5, lost to Elk Mound in a D3 sectional final
2024-25 Conference Finish: Middle Border co-champions (12-2)
Returning Starters: Trinity Karau (5-11, jr., 6.7 PPG, 35 3PM), Shannon Fritts (5-8, sr., 6.7 PPG, 2.4 SPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Katie Borchardt (6-1, sr.), Ashlyn Maurer (5-4, jr.)
Team Notes: The Blackhawks graduated their top three scorers from last season and had a change at the top in the offseason.
EllsworthCoach: Haylee Yaeger, 2nd year
2024-25 Record: 7-18
2024-25 Conference Finish: 8th, 1-13
Notable Returnees: Alivia Maher (5-7, jr., 7.8 PPG, 6 RPG), Lexi Marks (5-5, sr., 7.5 PPG, 2 APG, 2.6 SPG), Jenna Stoltenburg (soph., 7.3 PPG, 2.1 APG), Libby Groh (5-9, sr.)
Team Notes: The Panthers welcomed back four players who started in 2024-25.
Coach: Mike Haase, 7th year
2024-25 Record: 9-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: 7th, 4-10
Notable Returnees: Lauren Ulrich (jr.), Izzy Ellefson (jr.), Courtney Slechta (sr.), Ayla Krenz (jr.), Aspen Jeske (sr.), Kendra Wright (sr.)
Team Notes: The Chieftains graduated their top two scorers from last year's team.
Prescott Coach: Owen Hamilton, 4th year
2024-25 Record: 12-13
2024-25 Conference Finish: 4th, 7-7
Returning Starters: Violet Otto (5-11, sr., 19.5 PPG, 76 3PM, 5.3 RPG, 2 APG, 2.6 SPG), Hannah Schommer (sr., 4.4 PPG), Cadyn Hillebrand (sr.)
Other Notable Returnees: Nora Boles (sr., 4.5 PPG), Izzy Thoen (jr.)
Team Notes: The Cardinals returned three starters, headed by Violet Otto, a Division II St. Cloud State University commit.
Coach: Cory Lindenberg, 12th year 168-107)
2024-25 Record: 12-15
2024-25 Conference Finish: 5th, 6-8
Returnees: Grace Braithwaite (sr., 11.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3 SPG), Avery Hoff (sr., 6.5 PPG, 45 3PM, 2 APG), Lily Peterson (sr., 4.2 PPG), Marlee Lane (sr.), Morgan Driscoll (sr.), Lily Braithwaite (soph.)
Team Notes: The Spartans welcomed back a few key players, including leading scorer Grace Braithwaite.
St. Croix Central (Hammond)Coach: Bryan Kofal, 1st year
2024-25 Record: 21-6, lost to Baldwin-Woodville in D3 sectionals
2024-25 Conference Finish: MBC co-champions (12-2)
Top Returnees: Sophie Hook (5-5, sr., 13.4 PPG, 37 3PM, 3.6 APG, 1.9 SPG), Addison Kofal (5-7, sr., 12.2 PPG, 57 3PM, 3.6 APG, 2 SPG), Kenzie Anderson (6-1, jr., 5.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
Other Notable Returnees: Addison Hook (5-6, jr., 4.2 PPG), Lili Klinkhamer (5-8, jr.), Megan Felberg (6-0, jr.)
Team Notes: The Panthers brought back several key players from last year's team, which captured a share of the Middle Border title. Sophie Hook and Addison Kofal highlight the group of returning players.
