Badger-East Conference Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The year I first started writing about basketball in Wisconsin, I wrote a short preview of each conference, and today we're starting that again. We're going through these conferences alphabetically. We're starting in the Madison Area with the new-look Badger East and West. Let's start with the East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Badger-East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beaver Dam</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Golden Beavers took the Badger-East title after splitting the season series with Monona Grove. However, the Golden Beaves could be a group that shocks people in the postseason. If chalk holds, I expect a Pewaukee-Beaver Dam Sectional Final. Beaver Dam boasts one of the top forwards in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='209588' first='Gabby' last='Wilke'], who'll create issues for any defense they play. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='533067' first='Nataya' last='Donaldson'] was one of the biggest surprises early last season because of how seamlessly her game transitioned into high school. One thing that'll continue to be true about the Golden Beavers is the experience that all their kids on varsity gain. Fourteen kids played double-digit games last season, and kids like Aspen Abel, Emma Julka, [player_tooltip player_id='842257' first='Sheamarie' last='Ashley'], and Carlee Lapen are all kids who can take another step forward this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monona Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The runner-ups last season boasted the best offense in the league by a decent margin, and the Silver Eagles are getting five of their six leading scorers back from a season ago. None of the MG players scored more than 9.9 points per game a season ago, and that offensive threat from multiple players is a dangerous tool. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='209611' first='Brooklyn' last='Tortorice'], a UW-Oshkosh volleyball commit, led the Silver Eagles in scoring a year ago and will be a difference-maker on both ends this season. AAU teammates [player_tooltip player_id='329598' first='Abbey' last='Inda'], [player_tooltip player_id='209606' first='Aubrey' last='Smith'], and Karsyn Nelson improved this summer with Let it Rain, and Tia Justice returns with valuable experience playing Midwest Elite. The continuity alone makes this group dangerous in the Badger and D2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oregon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most surprising aspects of the Badger last season was Oregon was one of only two programs in the conference (Monona Grove) to reach Sectionals a year ago, and the Panthers did it as a first-year D1 program as a 5-seed, beating Sun Prairie West on the road to win a Regional Title. The Panthers have all three of their All-Conference performers back in [player_tooltip player_id='209909' first='Samantha' last='Schmitt'], Delaney Nyenhuis, and [player_tooltip player_id='767277' first='Olivia' last='Neis']. The Panthers play a solid brand of basketball led by Sam Schmitt, who's been one of the most effective lead guards in the state over the past few seasons. Nyenhuis brings the size and length to battle opposing post players and contest shots around the rim. Neis does an excellent job defending opposing wings and winning 50/50 balls. McKenna Carroll is also a valuable wing piece who had a solid summer with Wisconsin Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Watertown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, the Goslings got off to a rough start, losing starting guard [player_tooltip player_id='209607' first='Lily' last='Oiler'] to injury almost as soon as the season began. However, the Goslings battled all year and had a respectable season. [player_tooltip player_id='209604' first='Ellie' last='Demet'] did an excellent job slotting in as a lead guard when her team needed her and led the Goslings to a 17-9 (11-4 Badger-East) record. UNI Softball commit Drew Hinrichs is another kid who can determine the outcomes of games with her physicality and ability to stretch the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeForest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The losses of Jaelyn Derlein and Aspin Kelliher will hurt, but the Norskies will get back an All-Conference guard in [player_tooltip player_id='209901' first='Rylan' last='Oberg']. Oberg's length and activity on the ball defensively create turnovers, and she was among the leaders in assists in the conference last season. Jada Kelliher's athleticism and experience will also be crucial to keeping the Norskies competing at the top of the Badger-East this season. There's also chatter about newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='914978' first='Alexis' last='Accuardi'], who could play a prominent role for DeForest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waunakee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the Warriors finished in the bottom half of the Badger-East a year ago, there is plenty to be excited about in Waunakee. For one, the Warriors will have the reigning Player of the Year, [player_tooltip player_id='209590' first='Claire' last='Meudt'], back for her senior season, and her younger sister Audrey improved as the summer went on with [program_tooltip program_id='713043' first='Wisconsin' last='Impact']. Audrey's AAU teammate [player_tooltip player_id='509699' first='Graycin' last='Phillips'] has been one of the most improved players in the state, and her 6-0 size and mobility, paired with her shooting, could be the difference in close games this season. There's also a chance that the intensity that newcomer Tessa Bryan plays with could take the conference by storm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Atkinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023-24 iteration of Fort Atkinson's girl's basket will heavily rely on junior Ashlie Riley. Riley's the only one left among Fort Atkinson's four leading scorers a year ago and will likely need to be a prominent figure among this group if they are to improve record-wise this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Milton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redhawks will be an intriguing one to keep up with in the Badger East. [player_tooltip player_id='593198' first='Julia' last='Wolf'] is a physical wing who plays at her own pace. Holly Morehart is an undersized two-guard who can shoot the lights out if given space. I'll be curious about where this group will finish this season because I doubt it'll be at the bottom again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>My Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Beaver Dam</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Waunakee</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Monona Grove</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Oregon</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DeForest</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Watertown</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Milton</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fort Atkinson</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->