Divsion 4 Preseason Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The basketball season is inching closer, and there are plenty of things I'd like to get posted before the season starts. We're finishing October with the preseason rankings in every division, starting from D5 and ending with D1. I'm sure some things will look silly a few weeks into the season, but that's the fun of getting them posted now and seeing where I'm wrong when the season gets underway. Today, we're looking at D5 and D4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Deerfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Demons have a solid core of kids returning from last season. Emme Drobac and [player_tooltip player_id='889178' first='Tia' last='Anderson'] will have roles to play in the backcourt. The frontcourt and wing depth with players like [player_tooltip player_id='892452' first='Mia' last='Haberkorn'] and Rowan Lasack will also have roles to play this winter. However, the name to watch with this group will be sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='992515' first='Sydney' last='Loerke'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Poynette</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pumas have had success over the last few seasons, but lost some players from their rotation. However, the player who will make things work for Poynette this season is [player_tooltip player_id='751244' first='Avalyn' last='Albrecht']. Her ability to control the pace and area around the basket on both ends of the floor will give her team a chance to win every game they play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. St. Mary Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing in the state title game last season, St. Mary Catholic is back again and will have a new look to its program. Some talented players graduated last season, and other players will step into new roles in the 25-26 season. The player to watch this coming season will be [player_tooltip player_id='751240' first='Autumn' last='Crowe'], and the offensive responsibility she's asked to carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Dominican</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dominican will always be a challenging group to play against. Their talent and the defense they deploy give opposing offenses headaches. [player_tooltip player_id='533079' first='Brooklyn' last='Love'] is among the more talented guards in the senior class and can score in bunches. Watch for some of the younger players in their program, especially [player_tooltip player_id='877581' first='Jordyn' last='Woods'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Regis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='751257' first='EllaMay' last='Cooper'] can create with the ball in her hands at any time on the offensive end of the floor. There will be some faces, namely [player_tooltip player_id='1241213' first='Evelyn' last='Borcherding'], a 6'5 newcomer. However, [player_tooltip player_id='751257' first='EllaMay' last='Cooper'] will have the responsibility to make things happen each time down the floor, and she's improved over her first two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Belleville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have never run away from a challenge and will push themselves in the non-conference schedule. Toria Devoe has developed into an elite perimeter shooting guard who will draw plenty of defensive attention. Players like Addison Edge and [player_tooltip player_id='751265' first='Khylee' last='Lietz'] will each likely see increased roles this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Albany/Monticello</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Space Ponies have been among the elite units in D5 for the last five seasons and won a state title in 2023. Plenty of the pieces who helped win that title are gone, but there are new faces who can help bridge that gap. The Olson sisters will have roles to play, especially [player_tooltip player_id='1092830' first='Heidi' last='Olson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='595865' first='Molly' last='Olson'], but a player who could help keep Albany/Monticello is Emerson Briggs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Kewaunee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Storm has quietly been one of the more successful D4 programs in the northeastern part of the state. [player_tooltip player_id='777574' first='Jade' last='Kroll'] is a talented guard who can make plays for herself and others on the offensive end of the court. Another name to watch with this group is [player_tooltip player_id='1220487' first='Braelyn' last='Chevalier'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Pardeeville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sneakily, the Bulldogs have been a group on the cusp of breaking through in Division 4 the last few seasons. [player_tooltip player_id='874583' first='Bronte' last='Hulberg'] is a talented wing who can handle the ball and exploit mismatches on the offensive end of the floor. Pairing Hulberg with players like [player_tooltip player_id='649413' first='Ava' last='Wagner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874587' first='Lexi' last='Hughes'] will give the Bulldogs a chance to make a deep run this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Kohler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Bombers are the new kids on the block this coming season. They had some success last season and showed signs of being a program that could find themselves in the second weekend of the postseason in the next few seasons. [player_tooltip player_id='1134483' first='Gwenn' last='Elliott'] is a player who can elevate her teammates around her and maximize what the Kohler could do this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->