The Wisconsin high school girls basketball season is about to get underway as the first games of 2025-26 will tip on Tuesday, November 18. With plenty of storylines to follow from the first week, to the holiday break, and all the way through March, the girls hoops season is guaranteed to be another of top notch games, individual performances, and milestones set.
Below is a list of some of the top games of the opening week of the 2025-26 season. If you’re looking for some girls hoops content to get you by to Tuesday night, click the links below for preseason division top 10s.
Division 1 Preseason Rankings
Division 2 Preseason Rankings
Division 3 Preseason Rankings
Division 4 Preseason Rankings
Division 5 Preseason Rankings
Opening Night - Tuesday, November 18
McDonell Central (D4 #4) v Neillsville (D4 #3)
A ranked matchup on the opening night of the season between two of the better small school teams in the state?! That’s what we’re getting in a Cloverbelt Crossover match on Tuesday night. Both programs were regional champions a season ago and come into this season with high expectations yet again. To put the cherry on top, long-time Neillsville coach John Gaier is one win shy of 500 in his career, something he could do in the first game of season 24.
Muskego v Whitefish Bay (D2 #4)
Muskego is coming off a silver ball in Division 1 a season ago, as Erik Loose has done a great with the Warriors program. It’s a new season in Muskego however and Loose has a lot of graduating production to replace. Whitefish Bay on the other hand fell in a sectional semifinal but return the top five scorers from last season. The Blue Dukes will be looking to knock of Hartford in the North Shore and this is a great opening test.
Appleton East v Oostburg (D3 #1)
Oostburg is the defending Division 3 state champion and the preseason top-ranked team coming into 2025-26. Appleton East made a “cinderella” run to the Resch Center last season eventually falling to FVA foe Kimberly in the state semifinals. East has a bit of a regrouping to do, while Oostburg is one of the most talented teams in the state regardless of division.
Poynette v Edgerton (D3 #2)
These two teams went a combined 48-6 last season. Edgerton is a preseason top contender in Division 3 as head coach Chris Jenny returns nearly his entire squad that came one game shy of the state tournament. Poynette will have a different look with four of its top six scorers gone to graduation, though junior Avalyn Albrecht is back to lead the Pumas.
Racine St. Catherine’s (D3 #8) v Milwaukee Academy of Science
The Angels are stacked coming into the 2025-26 season. Can coach Jerome King’s team take the next step? A good first test with MAS could set the tone St. Cats season, or be a big early season win for the Novas.
Others of Note
New Berlin Eisenhower v Badger — Badger’s first game under new head coach Andy Smith.
Baldwin-Woodville v Rice Lake (D2 #2) — Baldwin-Woodville welcomes in the second ranked team in Division 2 in Lance Kamm’s first game with the Blackhawks.
West Bend West v Cedarburg — Lauren Downs steps into her first game as head coach with Cedarburg, squaring off against her alma mater.
Lake Mills v Watertown Luther Prep — 2021 Lake Mills graduate is back leading the L-Cats, looking to turn the program back into what it was when she suited up.
Lancaster v Mineral Point — Richland Center graduate and national champion at UW-Platteville, Merrill Brunson will coach his first game as a girls varsity head coach in this one.
Pacelli (D5 #1) v Wausau West - 2019 Wausau West grad Madeleine Schires takes over the helm as Madeleiene Leiskau and will have a tough test in her first game on the sideline for the Warriors.
Wednesday-Saturday to be Updated Later in the Wee
Colton Wilson serves a contributor and member of Bound Wisconsin. Wilson has worked in high school sports for 10 years, covering the state of Wisconsin in various sports. He has had roles in content creation, boys basketball coverage, director of events, and data management. Wilson is a graduate of Richland Center High School where he will currently serves as the Varsity Reserve boys basketball coach, entering his eleventh year coaching at the high school level. Wilson also has officiated basketball and organized youth tournaments for multiple years. You can follow him on Twitter at @ColtonWilson23 or reach him at [email protected].