Girls Basketball Division 1 Preseason Top 10

The Papermakers continued their strong run, claiming an outright FVA title and winning 22 games before falling to Notre Dame in sectional play. Head coach Dave Lepisto brings back All-State seniors Ava Van Vonderen and Haylie Dulas, who have committed to Wisconsin and Marquette, respectively. Kendyll Rochtrup, Kylie VerBockel, Kinnley Fulcer, and incoming freshman Taylen Fulcer are all receiving various college attention as well. The Papermakers have games against D1 preseason top ten teams Stevens Point, Arrowhead, Appleton East, Hartford, Brookfield East, and De Pere as well as D2-ranked Notre Dame.

Stevens Point had little trouble in the Wisconsin Valley Conference last year, racing to a league title. The Panthers would go out to challenge themselves in non-conference play, putting together some very nice wins. Stevens Point took down Hortonville and De Pere in the playoffs but fell to Notre Dame in a sectional final. Head coach Janel McCarville returns a pair of All-State performers in senior Iowa recruit Jada Seubert and junior D1 recruit Leah Awe. Mea Abiad and Macy Nsystrom were contributors last year that return for their senior season, and the Panthers also picked up a key transfer in Kinsley Schurk, who was part of Pacelli’s state title last season as a freshman.

Arrowhead began the 2025-26 season with high expectations, and delivered in a big way. The Warhawks finished the year 28-2 and would capture the fourth state title in program history, defeating Wauwatosa East 80-74 in a double-overtime thriller. The Warhawks certainly have some work to do, losing Ms. Basketball selection Natalie Kussow to Minnesota, along with needing to replace key contributors Libby Gilmore and Presly Samz. The cupboard is far from bare for head coach Ron Reichle, who returns Detroit Mercy commit Sidney Zehner along with Elly Petersen, Karina Klemz and Sami Wall.

Appleton East finished second in the FVA last year, a game behind Kimberly. A tough sectional semifinal matchup against Hartford sent the Patriots home in a 58-48 loss. East was a young team last season, featuring a roster that returns the top five scorers from that squad. That includes leading scorer and First Team All-Conference senior Ella Sweeney, who has committed to Division 2 Maryville.

Hartford shared the North Shore crown last year with Division 2 state champion Whitefish Bay. A tough schedule prepared the Orioles well for a strong end of the season, when they won 11 straight games before going out to Pewaukee in a sectional final. Head coach Vinny Daniels loses four-year performer Bella Klages, but welcomes back All-State senior Rita Kuepper, who poured in more than 20 points per game last year. Alexis Shelsta provides another capable scorer for the Orioles after averaging 14 points as a junior.

Waunakee dominated the Badger-Large last season, including a pair of wins over eventual D2 runner-up Beaver Dam. Playing in the D1 playoffs, the Warriors would get shocked by Madison Memorial in a regional final. Carrying that bad end-of-season feeling all off-season, Waunakee is ready to get things going again behind All-State senior Tess Bryan, a Butler commit who averaged more than 21 points per game. Keira Van Wie and Nora Meudt were key contributors a year ago that will be stepping into expanded roles.

Hudson put together a challenging schedule, looking to test itself throughout the season, and the Raiders responded with an 18-6 record, though they’d go out early in a regional final to Notre Dame. The top scorers return from last year’s group, including First Team All-Conference seniors Olivia LaBlanc and Devin Larson. Head coach Jess Vadnais again has put together a tough schedule, with a number of games against solid teams from Minnesota. A November 20th matchup against Stevens Point will be a great measuring stick for both teams.

The Spartans were second in the Greater Metro behind Wauwatosa East last year, and advanced to within a game of the state tournament before falling to Arrowhead in a sectional final. Brookfield East loses All-State selection Maya Kovacic, but the next four leading scorers do return for the Spartans, including First Team All-Conference senior Josie Piurkowski and rising sophomore standout Maria Pluemer.

Eau Claire Memorial was just off the pace last year in the Big Rivers Conference, finishing a game behind Rice Lake and Hudson. The Old Abes were a very young team, with the top four scorers consisting of two sophomores and two freshmen. Not only do they return, but the team gets a boost from incoming Regis transfer Evelyn Borcherding, a 6-6 sophomore with considerable D1 interest.

De Pere was tied for second in the FRCC a year ago, going on to win 22 games before exiting in a sectional semifinal. It should be another highly competitive season in the FRCC, where the Redbirds will battle Notre Dame and Bay Port once again. The team graduates leading scorer and First Team All-Conference pick Abby Tassoul, but the rest of the rotation is back, including four starters. Among them are double-digit scorers Aubree Fletcher and Allie Neuenfeldt, along with Adeline Dwyer, who chipped in 9.7 per game.

Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board as website & communications coordinator. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].