Woodland-West Conference preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025-26 Standings:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Pewaukee 12-0 (24-5) 2. Pius XI Catholic 9-3 (19-7) 3. Wisconsin Lutheran 8-4 (16-10) 4. New Berlin Eisenhower 6-6 (13-13) 5. New Berlin West 4-8 (13-13) 6. Greendale 3-9 (11-13) 7. Waukesha North/South 0-12 (4-20) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>Pius XI Catholic</strong>---Pewaukee has had a chokehold on the conference since they 2021-22 season but that changes this season as the Popes take over the top spot. Coming off of 19 win season, Pius XI only graduated about 6 points per game and come back with a fully loaded squad. Leading the way are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1319432' first='Chelinda' last='Spector'] (5-8, 13.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg), [player_tooltip player_id='1820200' first='Maricella' last='Rivera'] (5-7, 10.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.3 spg) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1173638' first='Lizzie' last='Jackson'] (6-0, 9.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.5 bpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1173652' first='Lillee' last='Jackson'] (6-0, 8.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.0 bpg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>Pewaukee</strong>---When you think of the Woodland-West conference, the Pirates are always the first to come to mind and for good reason. Having won five straight conference titles is an amazing feat however they lost too much to graduation including their top four scorers and 60 points per game. I would not put it past the Pewaukee "basketball factory" to find a way to a 6th consecutive title, however I believe Pius XI is just too loaded for them to overcome. Top returning players include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='888382' first='Eva' last='Denzien'] (5-11, 8.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg), [player_tooltip player_id='764926' first='Kendall' last='Pieper'] (5-9, 4.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1361656' first='Peace' last='Petzold'] (6-2, 5.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.5 spg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>Wisconsin Lutheran</strong>---Season ended with a 46-45 loss to Pius XI in the Regional final. Only team in the conference to return all of their players and could make a serious run for the conference crown. Leading the Vikings is 1st Team All-Conference selection and Western Illinois commit, 6-0 senior [player_tooltip player_id='751262' first='Kaelyn' last='Nommensen'] (17.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.2 spg) and fellow 1st Team All-Conference teammate 6-0 senior [player_tooltip player_id='751248' first='Beth' last='Langebartels'] (12.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg). They are joined by 5-8 junior [player_tooltip player_id='879927' first='Londyn' last='Hollins'] (12.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.7 spg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>New Berlin West</strong>---It was a coin flip between NB West and Eisenhower for this spot but I will go out on a limb and pick the Vikings to edge out the Lions. Graduating four, in a season that ended in a 59-51 loss to Elkhorn Area, the Vikings return veterans in 5-5 senior [player_tooltip player_id='963646' first='Scarlett' last='Wegehaupt'] (14.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 spg) and 5-9 junior [player_tooltip player_id='889325' first='Kylee' last='Kitt'] (11.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.9 bpg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>New Berlin Eisenhower</strong>---The Lions were hit hard, by graduation, losing 25 points per game in a season that ended with a 62-51 loss to Whitnall in the Regional final. Top returning players are 5-7 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1775861' first='Sophia' last='Hermann'] (12.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.8 spg) and 5-8 senior [player_tooltip player_id='751251' first='Callie' last='Griffith'] (9.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.8 spg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <strong>Waukesha North/South</strong>---The Northstars, winless in the conference last season, get out of the cellar and into the #6 spot this season. Having only graduated 2 players and about 3 points per game, I like the returning nucleus led by 5-10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='874984' first='Abriella' last='Terry'] (12.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.8 spg) and 5-4 sophomore Sage Meier (8.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <strong>Greendale</strong>---No conference team, outside of Pewaukee, was hit as hard by graduation then the Panthers who's season ended with a 60-55 loss to New Berlin Eisenhower. Looking to make up the 37 points per game with be 5-9 senior [player_tooltip player_id='891013' first='Greta' last='Dombrowski'] (10.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.2 spg) and 5-10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='904975' first='Tola' last='Dombrowski'] (4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.7 spg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->