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Delavan-Darien girls basketball look for third straight title

After winning a conference championship in 1985, Delavan-Darien High School's girls basketball program went 23 years without another one.

The Comets ended the drought in 2008 and will be in search of a third straight Southern Lakes title as they enter the 2009-10 conference season Thursday night a heavy favorite.

Delavan-Darien returns two all-conference players in first-team selection Alana Cesarz and second-team pick Courtney Flood. The 6-foot-2 Cesarz, a junior, was the Player of the Year last season after averaging 18.9 points and 8.9 rebounds a game.

"Delavan-Darien is the favorite because of their dominating post play," Union Grove coach Rob Domagalski said.

"Waterford will also be right there because of the defensive pressure they put on teams, and I think our experience will help us compete with the tough teams."

Delavan-Darien won the conference title a year ago with a 9-3 record, one game ahead of Waterford, Union Grove and Elkhorn.

The Comets lost three starters to graduation, but fourth-year coach Keiya Square likes the makeup of his team.

"We have two returning all-conference players, including our leading scorer and rebounder, and some other talented players on the roster," Square said. "We'll be tall and athletic.

"That should allow us to contend for the championship."

Union Grove junior Alyssa Thomas is the only other All-Southern Lakes first-team selection returning. Thomas averaged 12.4 points a game last season and nearly three steals, but she sat out the final nine games with a knee injury.

Waterford returns four starters, including Stephanie Rank and Alyssa Baker, both of whom averaged nearly eight points a game last season.

After going 2-1 against Southern Lakes teams a year ago, Burlington moves into the conference this season. The Demons will have to shore up defensively after allowing 53 points a game last season.

Lake Geneva Badger lost to Janesville Parker in a WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinal game last season and returns senior guard Gina Ambrose. The 5-7 Ambrose averaged 12 points a game last season.

Elkhorn coach Jim Henriott expects a balanced Southern Lakes, as was the case a year ago.

Although Henriott expects Delavan-Darien to be the front-runner, he thinks a couple teams, including the Elks, could push the Comets.

"Delavan-Darien has one of the best juniors in the state in Cesarz, and Flood is a very nice player, too," Henriott said. "But Union Grove has got some good players back, and Waterford is always tough.

"We're a little bit dinged up right now, but we could be in the mix."

Senior Carly Larsen, a two-year starter at point guard, leads the Elks.

Wilmot and Westosha Central finished last a year ago and will be hard-pressed to move up the this season.

Southern Lakes conference girls preview

BADGER

Head coach: Mark Giovingo.

2008-09 record: 15-8, 6-6 in Southern Lakes (fifth place).

Last conference title: 1992-83 (co-champion with Wilmot in Southern Lakes East).

Key losses: Leah Rempert, All-Southern Lakes first team.

Returning starters: Gina Ambrose, 5-7, sr., g; Abby Keptchpaw, 6-0, jr., c.

Other likely contributors: Brittany Brumm, sr.; Kimberly Duckworth, sr.; Anna Fronberry, sr.; Lindsay Matherne, sr.; Molly Schuiting, sr.; Shannon Terry, sr.; Sara Reek, jr.

Season outlook: Eight letter winners return, but only Ambrose played significant minutes last year. The senior shooting guard averaged 12 points a game in earning second-team honors.

BURLINGTON

Head coach: Rod Stoughton.

2008-09 record: 10-12, 7-9 in Southeast Conference North Division (fourth place).

Last conference title: 1991-92 (Southern Lakes Easgt).

Key losses: Catie Grandi, All-Southeast first team.

Returning starters: Cassi McCarthy, 5-4, jr., g; Lindsey Dickmann, 5-10, sr., f; Taylor Tuinstra, 5-7, sr., g; Demi Runjo, 6-1, jr., c.

Other likely contributors: Dani Evert, 5-7, jr., g; Rachel Thomsen, 5-4, jr., g; Meg Webber, 5-8, jr., f; Kelsi Cesarz, 5-4, soph., g.

Season outlook: The Demons join the Southern Lakes after going 2-1 against Lakes teams a year ago. Four starters return, but the Demons suffered a 83-16 loss to Janesville Craig in a nonconference season opener.

DELAVAN-DARIEN

Head coach: Keiya Square, fourth year (51-17).

2008-09 record: 18-4, 9-3 in Southern Lakes (first place)

Last conference title: 2008-09.

Key losses: Mallory Epping, Karli Collins, Marissa Moehling.

Starters returning: Courtney Flood, 5-7, sr., g; Alana Cesarz, 6-2, jr., f; Emily Norris, 5-5, jr., g.

Other letter winners: Michelle Wenzel, 6-1, sr., f; Ally Getka, 5-8, sr., f; Angel Hudson, 5-7, sr., g; Briel Peyer, 5-9, sr., f; Ashley O'Neil, 5-8, jr., g.

Other likely contributors: Erica Kilps, 5-7, jr., g; Emily Grabow, 5-6, jr., g; Megan Armstrong, 5-9, jr., f; Sarah Miller, 5-6, jr., g; Sarah Rendon, 5-8, soph., f.

Season outlook: The Comets are heavily favored to win their third straight title. Junior Alana Cesarz, the Player of the Year last season, returns along with senior guard Courtney Flood.

"I think we will be able to contend for the conference title," coach Keiya Square Square said. "If this group can continue to improve its outside shooting and come together as a team, the picture looks pretty bright."

ELKHORN

Head coach: Jim Henriott, 15th year (223-87).

2008-09 record: 13-9, 8-4 in Southern Lakes (tied for second place).

Last conference title: 2005-06.

Key losses: Three starters, including Ashlyn Anderson, All-Southern Lakes first team.

Returning starters: Carly Larsen, 5-6, sr., g; Katherine Neshek, 5-4, jr., g.

Other likely contributors: Amy Blackbourn, 5-8, sr., f; Sammi Rogers, 5-7, sr., g; Ashley Nelson, 5-8, sr., f; Allisen White, 5-7, jr., g; Sarah Woellert, 5-10, jr., f; Emily Schahczinski, 6-0, soph., c.

Season outlook: Elkhorn is inexperienced, but with the emergence of sophomore center Emily Schahczinski, Henriott thinks the Elks can contend.

"I think we can be in the mix," he said. "Delavan-Darien is the favorite, but I think our conference will be a lot like last year, where only one game separated the top four teams.

"The early portion of our schedule will be important to see how this team comes together."

UNION GROVE

Head coach: Robert Domagalski, 10th year (134-66).

2008-09 record: 16-8, 8-4 (tied for second place).

Last conference title: 2006-07.

Key losses: Jacqie Servi, Bailey Schwartz.

Returning starters: Alyssa Thomas, 5-8, jr., g; Kaitlyn Wilks, 6-0, sr., c; Haly Fink, 5-8, sr., f; Hannah Grindle, 5-7, jr., g; Beka Jasperson, 5-10, sr., g.

Other likely contributors: Kelsey Kujellis, 5-9, jr., f; Megan Lee, 5-6, soph., g; Natalie Zenella, 5-10, jr., f.

Season outlook: The Broncos advanced to the WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinals a year ago and return all five starters.

"Out of our eight players returning, six are entering their third year at the varsity level," coach Robert Domagalski said. "The experience and success we gained last season has raised our goals and expectations for this season.

"We will push the ball up the court and apply more defensive pressure to opposing teams."

WATERFORD

Head coach: Mark Peperkorn.

2008-09 record: 14-7, 8-4 in Southern Lakes (second place).

Last conference title: 2004-05.

Key losses: Jordan Bohlman, All-Southern Lakes first team.

Starters returning: Alyssa Baker, 5-9, sr., f; Stephanie Rank, 5-10, soph., c.

Other likely contributors: Jenny Carriveau, 5-7, sr., g; Amanda Eckhardt, 5-7, sr., g; Sam Hribar, 5-10, sr., f; Ashley Nanneman, 5-10, sr., c; Linnea Braaten, 5-6, jr., g; Stephanie Malchine, 5-9, jr., f; Kayla Olson, 5-4, jr., g; Courtney Ramczyk, 5-10, jr., f; Jenny Scasny, 5-8, jr., f; Karisa Simonsen, 5-3, jr., g; Chelsey Vanderhill, 5-3, jr., g.

Season outlook: Just three years removed from a WIAA Division 1 runner-up finish, Waterford returns plenty of firepower. The Wolverines led the Southern Lakes in scoring a year ago and return four of their top five scorers.

WESTOSHA CENTRAL

Head coach: Dan Derler.

2008-09 record: 5-16, 2-10 in Southern Lakes (sixth place).

Last conference title: 1996-97 (Southern Lakes East).

Key losses: Christina Brinkman, All-Southern Lakes first team.

Starters returning: Faith Lois, 5-10, soph., c; Christina Brinkman, 5-9, sr., f.

Other likely contributors: Jessica Hrncar, 5-2, sr., g; Melissa Roberts, 5-10, sr., f; Amy Sylvester, 5-5, sr., g; Cassie Cox, 5-7, jr., f; Margee Prokop, 5-10, jr., f; Leia Szwedo, 5-9, jr., f; Randi Rederer, 5-8, jr., g.

Season outlook: The Falcons will be hard-pressed to improve upon last season's two wins in the Southern Lakes. Westosha lost leading scorer Christina Brinkman, who averaged more than 18 points a year ago.

WILMOT

Head coach: Rob Sepnafski, third year (10-31).

2008-09 record: 1-20, 1-11 (seventh place).

Last conference title: 1994-95 (co-champion with Lake Geneva Badger in Southern Lakes East).

Key losses: Brianna John, Erin Wilson, Heather Edwards.

Returning starters: Jacqueline Herman, sr., g; Kristi Galek, sr., g.

Other likely contributors: Lauren Murdock, sr., g; Megan Cates, sr., g; Jordan Venem, jr., f; Karli Dorn, jr., g; Kelly O'Neill, jr., f; Alycsa Steadman, jr., g; Joslyn Abell, jr., f; Brooke Dowden, jr., g; Steph Solger, jr., g; Kasey Galek, soph., g; Kelli Hutchinson, soph., g; Sarah Vozel, fr., g.

Season outlook: Four-year starter Jacqueline Herman signed a national letter of intent to play for Eastern Illinois and will be the key if the Panthers are to improve on the one-win season from a year ago.