Big East-South Conference preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025-26 Standings:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Oostburg 12-0 (30-0) 2. Kohler 10-2 (22-5) 3. Sheboygan Lutheran 7-5 (20-8) 4. Ozaukee 5-7 (13-12) 4. Sheboygan Christian 5-7 (16-11) 6. Cedar Grove-Belgium 3-9 (6-18) 7. Random Lake 0-12 (8-18)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>Oostburg</strong>---Capped off a perfect 30-0 season with a 64-37 state championship win over Wisconsin Dells. Having gone undefeated in conference, since 2022-23, the Lady Dutch enter the season as the favorite, once again, in the Big East-South. While I think they will finish in first, I do see them losing a game in conference this season. Returning is 1st Team All-Conference [player_tooltip player_id='880796' first='Kinsley' last='Ketterhagen']. The 6-0 junior, holder of multiple high level D1 offers, put up 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 steals last season. She is joined by fellow junior, 5-11 [player_tooltip player_id='1359856' first='Soraya' last='Benton'] (7.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.3 spg, 0.9 bpg) and senior Taylor Brasser (6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.7 spg) to form a solid core that will need to make up for the graduation of 5 seniors and 37 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>Kohler</strong>---The Bombers represent the best chance for the rest of the conference to catch Oostburg this season and I can even see them winning the conference title. Kohler is led by returning 1st team All-Conference [player_tooltip player_id='1134483' first='Gwenn' last='Elliott']. The 6-0 junior, holder of multiple D1 offers, had a terrific sophomore season averaging 23.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 3.1 spg while shooting over 56% from the floor. Fellow junior Lauren Brotz (6.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.3 bpg) and senior Avery Buzaitis (6.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.3 bpg) give the Bombers a strong nucleus to compete for the conference crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>Ozaukee</strong>---The Warriors season ended with a 70-50 loss to Living Word Lutheran in the Regional semifinal. Finished 4th but I have them finishing #3 this season. Returning is 2nd Team All-Conference selection Mya Schroeder (15.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.7 spg) and Bianca Marini (6.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg). The juniors lead a squad looking to make up 18 points lost to graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>Sheboygan Lutheran</strong>---The Crusaders slip one spot this season to #4. Graduated two seniors from a 20 win season that ended in a 45-42 loss to Lourdes Academy. Returning is 2nd team All-Conference, senior Maddie Thomas (13.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.3 spg), sophomore Grace Leibham (8.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.0 spg) and senior Courtney Kaiser 6.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.2 spg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>Sheboygan Christian</strong>---Season ended with a 45-42 loss to conference rival Sheboygan Lutheran. Having only graduated one senior, the Eagles have one of the stronger returning groups in offensive productivity, and size, in 1st team All-Conference, 6-1 senior [player_tooltip player_id='877515' first='Samantha' last='Veldkamp'] (19.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.6 spg, 3.6 bpg), 5-5 sophomore Kieran Demaster (7.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.1 spg), 5-9 senior Sawyer Gesch (7.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.2 spg), and 5-6 senior Isabel Otte (5.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 spg). While I have them at 5th, I could easily see this veteran group, and their 8 seniors, finishing in the top 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <strong>Cedar Grove-Belgium</strong>---Outside of Oostburg, no other Big East-South team was hit as hard by graduation as the Rockets. 2026 ended with a 47-29 loss to Winnebago Lutheran. Looking to make up the 30 points, from last season, will be a nice blend of veterans and youngsters led by 5-7 senior Arden Getschman (7.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.9 spg) and 5-8 sophomore Tessa Krause (3.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.0 spg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <strong>Random Lake</strong>---The Rams, winless in 2026, will threaten to get out of the basement this season and will win at least one conference game. Returning is 2nd Team All-Conference senior [player_tooltip player_id='882565' first='Lexi' last='Gruman'] (5-6, 17.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 5.4 spg, 0.5 bpg) and 5-4 junior Natalie Arndt (4.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.3 bpg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->