Haffner named CWC-North top girls basketball player

Gresham junior Maddie Haffner was tabbed the Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division Player of the Year after helping lead the Wildcats to a conference basketball title this winter.

Tigerton senior Abby Swartz and Bowler junior Isabella Stevens joined Haffner on the all-conference first team.

Gresham senior Chloe Bohl, junior Josie Cerveny and sophomore Lexi Baddmoccosin-Barnes, Bowler sophomore Natalie Rickert and Marion senior Kelsey Zillmer all made the second team. Bowler senior Brandi Spencer and Marion seniors Dacotah Yonker and Grace Bradley were all honorable mentions.

Haffner averaged a whole point more than any other player in the CWC-North this winter. She finished with 16.8 points, 8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 4 steals a game in CWC-North play — she led the Wildcats in all of those statistics.

“It is a great honor to get this award,” said Haffner. “I really enjoy playing and spending time in the gym. Playing with this group of girls has been really great. I hope that we can continue to improve and getting this award motivates me to work even harder to help that happen.”

Swartz capped her high school career by averaging 8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.6 blocks a game. She led the team in each statistic.

“Being recognized for all-conference this season is a huge honor. In any sport it’s an honor, but after a season with an 0-8 conference record makes it more special,” said Swartz. “I’m thankful for having a season, but it had many challenges.

“After three other seasons of being mainly post, being thrown into point guard was extremely intimidating. I’m grateful the coaches in the conference were able to see past the struggle and saw some skill. I’ll miss basketball greatly but it was amazing to end on a good note.”

Stevens led Bowler in points (13.6), rebounds (12.1), steals (3) and blocks (1.3) in conference action. She also averaged 0.7 assists.

“Honestly, it motivates me to go for broke next year,” said Stevens on how the honor would motivate her for next season. “I want to show that the first team wasn’t a fluke and I improve two times more for my senior year to make it a great last season.”

Zillmer led Marion in points (5.2), rebounds (6.5) and blocks (2.5) this winter. She also averaged 1.1 steals and 0.6 assists in conference play.

“When I heard I received all-conference second team, I was very excited that I could accomplish something like this. All the hard work in the off season and commitment paid off,” said Zillmer.

“These last four years went fast and it’s sad it has come to end. I thank all my coaches who’ve pushed me to be better, I wouldn’t be in this position without them. This was a great positive outcome for my senior year.”

Bohl averaged 6 points, 6.1 boards, 1.9 blocks, 1.3 steals and 0.9 assists in CWC-North games.

Cerveny finished with marks of 6.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.4 assists a game.

“I’m grateful for the honor of being recognized by the coaches and having my hard work pay off,” said Cerveny. “I want to strive to work even harder next year and contribute to the team the best I can. I hope to earn first team all-conference next year.”

Baddmoccosin-Barnes averaged 7.1 points, 3 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2 assists to earn her second-team spot.

“I’m honored to be second team this year, I think my team is a big part of me making second team,” said Baddmoccosin-Barnes. “They helped me feel more comfortable with my skills and they built my confidence. But now I will definitely be striving to get second or maybe even first team the next two years, and I’ll be pushing my teammates to try to do the same as well.”

Rickert was second on Bowler in several statistics and finished with averages of 12.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks.

“Getting second team gave me a lot of hope and motivation to really push myself through the next following years,” said Rickert. “I strive to achieve first team and break my personal records or even school record. I’m really honored to get second team in the first place.”

Spencer turned in averages of 3.9 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals in conference action.

“It is a great accomplishment for all the hard work I put in this year, and a great way to finish out my senior year,” said Spencer. “Without my coaches pushing and encouraging me every day this would not have been possible.”

Bradley capped the season with conference averages of 3.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals a game.

“It felt really special,” said Bradley of the honor. “Knowing I put in work to get an honorable mention for a second time proved that I was doing my share to the team. I’m just glad I could show all of the new players what hard work and effort will get you.”

Yonker averaged 1.9 points, 5.6 boards, 1.9 steals and 0.9 assists a game for the Mustangs.

“It was really special to me to get honorable mention my senior season,” said Yonker. “I have been trying to get this for the past two years and I’m just happy the hard work I put in finally paid off.”

Behind its four all-conference players, Gresham finished 8-0 in the CWC-North to win the title. Bowler was third with a 4-4 mark. Marion took fifth at 2-6, while Tigerton went 0-8.

FYI

Statistics are used from www.wissports.net.

sports@newmedia-wi.com