Preseason Division 5 All-State Second-Team and Honorable Mentions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is starting in just over a month, and I'd like to begin releasing my preseason All-State Teams this week, starting with the D5 All-State teams and progressing to the D1 All-State Teams on Friday. I'll have a first-team and second-team, along with honorable mentions in each division around the state. Before the season starts, I will also update rankings in the 26, 27, and 28 classes, as well as the Watch List for the class of 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='842247' first='Madi' last='Thomson'], sr., Lena</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lena guard played in the D5 State Title Game in 2024 and had an excellent junior season for the Wildcats. Thomson will battle through a knee injury in her senior season, but still has the size and skill to cause problems for any defense. The rising senior will also step into a new role after graduating talented players this past spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='992517' first='Zami' last='Gary'], soph., Madison Country Country Day</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gary stepped into a high-use role when she arrived in high school, and had her ups and downs like any newcomer. However, she helped lead her team to a Regional Championship in her first season, and could be a player who takes another step this winter. She's among the top shooters at the D5 level and can swing games with her perimeter shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1092830' first='Heidi' last='Olson'], soph., Albany/Monticello</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olson stepped into a ready-made state title contender last season and was among the most efficient players at the D5 level. Nothing seemed to faze her throughout her first season of high school basketball. In year two, she could step into a more prominent role after losing some seniors who helped the program win a state title in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='888330' first='McKinley' last='Russell'], soph., Shullsburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11 guard is among the most unique players in D5 this coming season. She is a rangey guard who can create for herself and her teammates on the offensive end of the floor. Russell also has one of the highest release points on their jumper, as you'll see in small-school basketball. She has the talent to take her team deep into the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='877515' first='Samantha' last='Veldkamp'], sr., Sheboygan Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The multi-sport talent is a player who can do a little of everything on both ends of the floor. Veldkamp is a double-double threat whenever she's on the floor and will control the area around the basket on both ends of the floor. She is a two-way talent who can make winning plays on both ends of the floor and has a solid back-to-the-basket game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1236090' first='Elly' last='Gardner'], frosh., Columbus Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mya Dernbach, sr., Almond-Bancroft</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='842260' first='Jordyn' last='Jaglinski'], sr., Assumption</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1135350' first='Kylee' last='Venner'], jr., De Soto</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='874373' first='Brooke' last='Wellnitz'], jr., Argyle/Pecatonica</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1275672' first='Avari' last='Steiner'], jr., Argyle/Pecantonica</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddie Medema, jr., Randolph</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='974980' first='Kara' last='Trott'], jr., Bruce</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='595865' first='Molly' last='Olson'], sr., Albany/Monticello</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1241336' first='Nora' last='Jensen'], sr., New Auburn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->