Girls Basketball Division 3 Preseason Top 10

Mosinee took some lumps in early non-conference play against some very good teams, but ran through the Great Northern Conference undefeated and entered the playoffs on a 15-game winning streak. They stayed hot, advancing to the state tournament, and led powerhouse Oostburg at halftime of a state semifinal before dropping a tough 63-50 decision to the Flying Dutch. The top seven scorers from that group are back, led by junior Paetyn Jirschele and rising sophomore Pacyn Stoffel.

The Wolves went out and challenged themselves last year, as not only did they play quality competition in the Bay Conference, they scheduled a strong non-league slate. After tying for second in the Bay standings, the Wolves saw their season end in a sectional final against powerhouse Oostburg, who they’d lost to back in the second game of the season as well. They’ll be one of the more experienced teams in the state this year, as the top four scorers return. That includes All-State senior Grace Mitchell as well as fellow seniors Harper Neace and Brooklyn Messerschmidt plus talented junior Ari Reetz.

Milwaukee Academy of Science was a young team last year, with only one senior on the roster, who averaged just one point per game. That means the bulk of the roster is back after a 19-4 season that ended in a sectional final. Ariell Allen is a returning All-State pick who averaged more than 20 points per game last year. Kourlyn Guy and Kimora Smith were also double-digit scorers a year ago.

Laconia dominated the Flyway Conference once again and the team challenged themselves in the non-league schedule, though they’d take some lumps against some really good teams. Part of it was to prepare for an Oostburg team they knew they’d face sometime in sectionals, and unfortunately the Spartans would fall to the Flying Dutch in a sectional semifinal. Head coach Chris Morgan can once again lean on his daughter, 20-point per-game scorer Finley Morgan, to help lead the way. Second-leading scorer Mylee Redman plus versatile Kendyl Pluim are among a big group of returning players as well.

Wisconsin Dells would have won an undefeated state championship in most other years, but after 29 straight wins, most in dominating fashion, the Chiefs fell to an incredible Oostburg squad 64-37 in the Division 3 title game. Natalie Backhaus and Ashiya Hopkins graduate off that team, but the Chiefs bring back two young players with All-State potential in junior Jaz Alwin and sophomore Aja Gall.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood had a dream season going, as the Chargers were unbeaten during the regular season and earned a top seed in the playoffs. However, they’d get upset by Mosinee in the sectional semifinals as the run came to an abrupt end. The Chargers graduate 20-point per game scorers Rory Salvesen and Melaina Granquist, but double-digit scorer Harper Rogowski is back along with several other key contributors from a year ago.

The Blugolds were among the top teams in the Division 3 rankings all season, and for good measure. The team went 22-2 during the regular season and ran away with another Mississippi Valley Conference title. In fact, the team hasn’t lost a conference game since 2015, as the MVC winning streak has reached 125 games. Four-time All-State selection Samantha Davis graduates along with second-leading scorer Alaina Elias, but a strong senior class should keep the Blugolds in a good spot, including Ava Fernholz, Alivia Dicksino, and Eva Willenbring among others.

Edgerton put together one of the best seasons in school history, winning 25 games and advancing to within a game of the school’s first-ever trip to state, falling to Wisconsin Dells in a sectional final. The Crimson Tide had three, First Team All-Conference picks a year ago, and while Gracee Langer and Marti Rebman graduate, Claudia Jenny is back, along with Honorable Mention choices Jolia Schlag and Brooke Kahl. Jenny was the Rock Valley-Rock Defensive Player of the Year last season.

Baldwin-Woodville won 20 games and captured an outright Middle Border Conference title last year. After beating rival Saint Croix Central twice in the regular season, they’d drop a sectional semifinal to the Panthers to see their season come to an end. The Blackhawks do lose leading scorer Shannon Fritts plus Kathryn Borchardt, but have a number of experienced players back, including Second Team All-Conference choice Trinity Karau plus MaKenzie Midtling.

The Panthers were second behind Baldwin-Woodville in the Middle Border Conference a year ago, but got their revenge in the postseason, downing the Blackhawks in a sectional semifinal. Saint Croix Central would fall to Mosinee in a sectional final the next game. First Team All-Conference picks Addison Kofal and Sophie Hook have graduated, but the cupboard isn’t bare, Megan Felberg returns, along with a solid younger group.

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].