The Dougies: Madigan, Welson, Klesmit, Musial, Walder and Nordin lead the way

GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- This girls basketball season ended with a bang, as Kimberly and its defense dominated opponents in the state tournament en route to the Division 1 state title.

Kimberly's roster was filled with talent, as was Northeast Wisconsin. Four seniors headline this year's FOX 11 All-Area first team: Laconia's Tierney Madigan, Hortonville's Rainey Welson, Notre Dame's Peyton Musial and West De Pere's Faith Walder. They are joined by juniors Rowan Klesmit of Neenah and Leah Nordin of Shawano.

Here's a listing of all the first-, second- and third-team selections along with honorable mention choices. defensive star selections and more about Kimberly:

FIRST TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tierney Madigan, Sr., Laconia

Tierney Madigan, Sr. Laconia: 18.8 ppg., 8.4 rpg., 3.2 apg., 2.9 spg., Flyway player of the year. Madigan was as efficient as they come from the perimeter as the left-hander shot 59 percent from the field. Madigan led Laconia to a fourth straight state tournament despite the Spartans moving up from Division 4 to Division 3. Madigan scored in double figures in all 29 games as her knack of getting to the basket was unmatched. Defenses knew where she was going, and she still got there. Speaking of defense, at 5-10 Madigan was versatile as she could guard the perimeter and inside. Madigan, the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,682 points, remains unsigned, but has Division I and II interest as she recently received an offer from UNC-Greensboro.

Rainey Welson, Sr, Hortonville (16 games): 26.4 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 4 apg., 3.4 spg., 31-82 3-PT (37.8%); FVA player of the year; Committed to Maryland. Welson was the preseason favorite to be the player of the year, but her season was cut short due to a knee injury as she missed her team’s final 10 games. In her time on the floor Welson showed why she is a major college recruit. At the time of her injury Hortonville was 12-4 and would have been a serious threat to reach the state tournament. Welson is Hortonville’s all-time leading scorer with 2,046 points.

Rowan Klesmit, Jr., Neenah: 22.7 ppg., 89-231 3-PT (38.5%); First team All-FVA. With Allie Ziebell gone to UConn it was Klesmit’s turn to lead for the Rockets and did she ever. The junior led Neenah to a tie for second place in the FVA and regional title. Despite being 5-5 Klesmit, who scored in double figures in all 27 games, was more than just a shooter as she had a knack of getting the basket. Her determination and effort really showed up.

Peyton Musial, Sr., Notre Dame: 20.3 ppg., 5 rpg., 3.5 apg.; FRCC player of the year; Committed to Alabama-Birmingham. With the loss of key graduates and injuries this past season, Musial stepped up and led the Tritons to a 17-9 record. At 6 foot, Musial could hit a three-pointer, find an open player for a basket and score inside on her own. She basically could do anything and her length on defense was also troubling for opponents.

Faith Walder, Sr., West De Pere: 19.6 ppg., 2.5 spg.; First team All-Bay; Committed to Northern Michigan. Walder led West De Pere to its first state tournament since 1978. The 5-5 point guard tormented defenses with her speed and quickness and always could finish at the basket, especially with her left hand. Walder, who shot 57 percent from the field, scored in double figures in 27 of 29 games. She was a starter for four seasons and goes out with 1,544 career points.

Leah Nordin, Jr., Shawano: 24.6 ppg., 9.8 rpg., Bay Conference player of the year; Committed to Wisconsin. Nordin led the Hawks to their first sectional final this century. The 6-2 forward scored in double figures in all 27 games and recorded 13 double-doubles. While her height was an advantage, Nordin did make 32 3-pointers, was a capable ball handler and played at the top of the Hawks’ zone defense, creating passing issues. With another year to go, it’ll be interesting to see how much better Nordin gets.

SECOND TEAM

Torie Neubauer, Sr., Appleton East: 14.4 ppg., 48-121 3-PT (40%); First team All-FVA, committed to Minnesota-Duluth. Neubauer, who led the Patriots to the state tournament, was a great two-way player, also being named to the FVA’s all-defensive team. At 6 feet, Neubauer was a threat inside and outside and defensively she could guard anywhere on the court.

Hailee Bauer, Sr., Lourdes Academy: 18.6 ppg., 6 apg., 3.9 rpg., 91-159 3-PT (35.1%); First team All-Trailways East. Bauer led the Knights to the state tournament and turned in one of the best careers in program history as she finished with 1,919 career points (program’s all-time scoring leader) . Bauer was a three-point threat, but she also was a playmaker as she averaged six assists.

Emily Vogel, Sr., St. Mary Catholic: 17.5 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 2.7 spg.; First team All-Big East North, committed to UW-Eau Claire. Vogel, who scored 1,402 career points, led SMC to a state runner-up finish in Division 4. The guard/forward was versatile as she could hit a three, post up and score off an offensive rebound. She also had the knack of scoring with her left hand. Defensively, Vogel could play anywhere.

Kate McGinnis, Sr. Kimberly: 14.5 ppg., 51-148 3-PT (34.5%); First team FVA, committed to Belmont. The sharpshooter missed the first six games of the season with a knee injury, but that didn’t slow her down as McGinnis helped lead the Papermakers to the Division 1 state title. McGinnis was always a threat from deep and played great defense. Her signature moment came in a sectional semifinal when her drive to the basket in the final seconds led Kimberly to the win.

Raegan Krueger, Sr., Kimberly: 11.9 ppg. 5.7 rpg.; First team All-FVA, committed to Minnesota-Duluth. Despite missing six games with a knee injury during the second half of the season, and being hobbled at state after another injury, Krueger exemplified toughness this season. When healthy, Krueger was as good as there was in the post. Her value was never measured by stats, but her overall play and hustle.

Melia Lemorande, Jr., Bay Port: 17.9 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 74-181 3-PT (41%); First team All-FRCC. After missing her sophomore season due to a torn ACL, Bay Port went from seven wins last year to 17 wins this year, and Lemorande was a big reason. Lemorande showed why she is a Division I prospect as at 6-foot-1 she could shoot from distance and she could shoot over her defender. After this season, look for even an better year in 2025-26.

THIRD TEAM

Adahlyn Hoerl, Sr., Chilton: 22.5 ppg., 10.2 rpg., 3.9 apg., 2.6 spg.; 3-PT 58-174 (33.3%); First team All-Eastern Wisconsin; committed to UW-Oshkosh. For the second year in a row Hoerl averaged at least 20 points per game. Hoerl was a huge reason why Chilton won 19 games as she led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, 3-pointers made and steals.

Autumn Crowe, Soph., St. Mary Catholic: 13.6 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 4.3 spg., 44-110 3-PT (40%). The crafty point guard helped led SMC to a Division 4 state runner-up finish. Crowe’s ball handling was impressive as she was difficult to trap. Also, she was a threat from the 3-point line and defensively she had a nose for the ball.

Eva Brooks, Sr., Lena: 16.2 ppg., 9.6 ppg., 3.7 bpg. (92 blocks); First team All-Packerland, committed to Winona State. The 6-1 forward is such a tough matchup as she can play the perimeter and in the paint. Brooks, however, did most of her damage inside either off post moves or on the offensive boards. Defensively, it’s hard to score on a player with length who also is a state runner-up in the high jump.

Marissa Mehlhorn, Jr., Manitowoc Lutheran: 13.9 ppg., 8.7 rpg.; First team All-Big East North. Mehlhorn, a volleyball state champion, helped lead the Lancers to a share of the Big East North title and a sectional final appearance. Mehlhorn’s game is a little throwback as she scores a lot in the mid-range.

Ava Van Vonderen, Soph., Kimberly: 12.8 ppg., 7 rpg., 41-106 3-PT (38.7%); First team All-FVA. The 6-foot Van Vonderen was key in helping lead Kimberly to a Division 1 state title. She hit a game-tying three-pointer to force overtime in a sectional final that Kimberly eventually won. And in the state title game she scored a game-high 15 points. Just a sophomore, she’s effective beyond the arc and inside.

Finley Morgan, Soph., Laconia: 14.3 ppg., 81-223 3-PT (36.3%); First team All-Flyway. The only non-senior in the top six players at Laconia, Morgan is arguably the team’s best shooter, and it shows by percentage. She showed improvement all over the place in her second season with the Spartans and this player’s offense will really go up next season as she becomes the go-to player.

DEFENSIVE STARS

Kennedy Ebben, Soph., Kimberly: If you watched Ebben during the state tournament, there’s no explanation needed. Here it goes anyway. Ebben’s on-ball defending is arguably the best in the area. The soccer star shows off her quickness and toughness. Nobody wants to see “No. 14” coming to guard her.

Emily Urban, Jr., Kimberly: Like her teammate, Urban’s a soccer star and her foot quickness is just so good. She’s basically a carbon copy of Ebben as her on-ball defense is supreme.

Leah Nordin, Jr., Shawano: At 6-2, Nordin is a problem, but what makes her so good is she plays at the top of Shawano’s zone defense. She bothers passing lane and blocks shots. She’s tough.

Torie Neubauer, Sr., Appleton East: At 6-feet, Neubauer could guard the perimeter with her athleticism as well as inside with her length. Whoever she guarded had to be complete on offense because Neubauer was on defense.

Molly Duel, Sr., Laconia: Duel was the “sixth player” for Laconia and every time she checked in coach Chris Morgan sent her directly to the opponent’s best perimeter player. After that, not much was seen from the player as Duel made life tough for anybody she guarded.

Eva Brooks, Sr., Lena: The 6-1 post was so long she could just stand with her hands in the air and cause problems. However, she also could get out on the perimeter and use her size and smother offensive players.

Madi Thomson, Jr., Lena: Thomson was a never-ending defensive pest. She was always hounding ball handlers, making steals and creating turnovers. She was like a one-girl press and always set the tone for her team on defense.

NO KIMBERLY FIRST-TEAMERS?

Despite winning the state title, Kimberly did not have a first-teamer, but there is a reason. Anybody who watched the Papermakers knows this, their balance was a huge reason for their success. There was no every-game go-to player, although if asked the top players on this team could be just that. Kate McGinnis, Ragean Krueger, Ava Van Vonderen and Haylie Dulas were the four players you had to look at for points. At state, all four scored at least 10 points in a state semifinal, led by McGinnis' 17 points. In the state title game, Van Vonderen led the way with 15 points, while the other three scored at least seven points each. And don't forget about Kennedy Ebben and Emily Urban, who defensively stood out at state and all season. Kimberly had six stars, not just one.

HONORABLE MENTION

Brynn Krull, Jr., Xavier: Brynn Krull, 14.2 ppg., 4,3 rpg., 56-158 3-PT (35.4%); First team All-Bay

Nolie Anderson, Sr., St. Mary Catholic: 13.4 ppg., 8.9 rpg.; First team All-Big East North

Ginerva Ermis, Sr., Manitowoc Lutheran: 15.2 ppg., 4.2 apg.; First team All-Big East North

Makiah Krause, Jr., Manitowoc Lutheran: 12.4 ppg., 46-128 3-PT (36%); Second team All-Big East North

Jade Kroll, Jr., Kewaunee: 19.5 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 3 spg.; Packerland player of the year

Madi Thomson, Jr., Lena: 16.3 ppg., 9.4 rpg., 3.5 spg.; First team All-Packerland

Kardyn Peppler, Soph., Hortonville (14 games): 14.9 ppg.; Second team All-FVA

Ella Sweeney, Soph., Appleton East: 13.8 ppg., 63-154 3-PT (41%); First team All-FVA

Haylie Dulas, Soph., Kimberly: 10.5 ppg.; Second team All-FVA

Payton Morgan, Sr., Laconia: 11.1 ppg., 66-193 3-PT (34.2%); First team All-Flyway

Aubrey Leonard, Sr., Laconia: 10.2 ppg., 4.9 apg., 3 spg.; First team All-Flyway

Eva Engel, Sr., Laconia: 6.5 ppg., 3-PT 50-148 (33.8%)

Ellie Buss, Sr., Neenah: 13.7 ppg., 91-243 3-PT (37.4%); Second team All-FVA

Awut Alic, Soph., Oshkosh North: 17.1 ppg., 8.5 rpg., 2.8 spg.; First team All-FVA

Addison Baumgart, Sr., Kaukauna: 16.2 ppg., 6.1 rpg., 62-141 3-PT (44%); First team All-FVA

Jozy Ebben, Sr., Kaukauna: 10.4 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 43-110 3-PT (39%)

Maddie Rasmussen, Sr., Oshkosh West: 10.4 ppg., 5 rpg.; Second team All-FVA

Delaney Ruedinger, Sr., Lourdes Academy: 14.4 ppg.

Madisyn Berggren, Sr., West De Pere: 12.6 ppg., 66-166 3-PT (39.2%)

Ella Francois, Sr., West De Pere: 12.2 ppg., 4 apg., 2.8 spg., 32-91 3-PT (35.2%)

Avery Werfal, Soph., Appleton North: 19.7 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 60-1777 3-PT (34%); Second team All-FVA

Allysen Buss, Jr., Appleton West: 10.1 ppg.

Tay Maass, Jr., Appleton North: 15.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg.; Second team All-FVA

Emily Urban, Jr., Kimberly: 5.3 ppg.

Kennedy Ebben, Soph., Kimberly: 3 ppg., Second team All-FVA

Lilly Meulemans, Sr., Appleton East: 9.5 ppg., 50-134 3-PT (37.3%); Committed to Black Hills State

Abby Tassoul, Jr., De Pere: 12.5 ppg., 3.9 apg. 41-96 3-PT (42.7%); First team FRCC

Egan Bierowski, Sr., De Pere: 11.1 ppg., 43-96 3-PT (44.8%); First team All-FRCC; Committed to UW-Stevens Point

Jaden Ciesielczyk, Sr., De Pere: 11 ppg., 54-150 3-PT (36%); First team All-FRCC

Lilah Johnson, Jr., Fond du Lac: 9.8 ppg.

Amaria Kejo, Sr., Fond du Lac: 8.9 ppg., 8.8 rpg.

Riley Kieffer, Sr., Marinette: 12.6 ppg., 82-214 3-PT (38.3%)

Elizabeth Wade, Soph., Marinette: 10.5 ppg.

Kali Fischer, Sr., Lena: 11.1 ppg.

Vivian Kostreva, Jr., Coleman: 11.8 ppg., 8.4 rpg.

Kiya Brand, Soph., Crivitz: 17.6 ppg., 49-139 3-PT (35.3%), 5.6 spg. (139 steals)

Mariah Cloud, Sr., Oneida Nation: 17.1 ppg.

Jaylyn Caldwell, Sr., Oneida Nation: 15.3 ppg. 47-135 3-PT (34.8%), 1,410 career points (program’s all-time scoring leader)

Cilena Guns, Gillett, Sr.: 13.9 ppg., 7.8 rpg.

Audrey Pate, Soph., Gillett: 9.9 ppg., 6.4 rpg.

Bunny Cramer, Sr., Suring: 15.7 ppg.

Kiarrah Micolichek, Jr., Denmark: 15.1 ppg., 39-111 3-PT (35%)

Allie VanVonderen, Soph., Denmark: 14.1 ppg.

Eden Last, Jr., Fox Valley Lutheran: 12.5 ppg.

Brianna Dahlke, Fr., Fox Valley Lutheran: 10.3 ppg., 7.4 rpg.

Gracie Martzahl, Sr., Freedom: 8.7 ppg.

Breanna Dickrell, Jr., Freedom: 7.9 ppg.

Brianna Bray, Jr., Luxemburg-Casco: 11.4 ppg.

Sienna Blowhowiak, Soph., Luxemburg-Casco: 11.2 ppg.

Rylie Shallow, Jr., Oconto Falls: 16.1 ppg.

Maddy Maloney, Jr., Oconto Falls: 11.2 ppg.

Haylie Bechard, Jr., Waupaca: 17.1 ppg.

Rossalyn Wehmeyer, Sr., Waupaca: 10.7 ppg., 8.1 rpg.

Ella Verbeten, Jr., Wrightstown: 15.5 ppg., 5.2 rpg.

Gabrielle Stangel, Jr., Kewaunee: 10 ppg.

Mikala Gorham, Sr. Gibraltar: 13.9 ppg., 5.2 rpg.

Aubree Fischer, Soph., De Pere: 10.6 ppg.

Olivia Williams, Soph., Bay Port: 14.4 ppg., 52-130 3-PT (40%); Second team All-FRCC

Kailynn Thompson, Fr., Bay Port: 9.6 ppg., 8.3 rpg.

Aspen Abel, Jr., Notre Dame: 11.1 ppg.; Second team All-FRCC

Destiny Webster, Sr., Notre Dame: 10.1 ppg.

Brianna Breese, Soph., Notre Dame: 9.3 ppg.

Gianna Guarascio, Sr., Ashwaubenon: 13.6 ppg., 4.9 rpg,; First team All-FRCC, Committed to Wisconsin Lutheran

Addy Phipps, Sr., Ashwaubenon: 10.1 ppg.; Second team All-FRCC, Committed to St. Norbert

Jada Raeder, Sr., GB Preble: 10.7 ppg.; Second team All-FVA

Brooklynn Lucassen, Soph., GB Preble: 10.1 ppg., 42-96 3-PT (43/8%)

Olivia Sprangers, Jr., Pulaski: 10.7 ppg.; Second team All-FRCC

Sarah Bolchen, Jr., Manitowoc: 16.5 ppg.; First team All-FRCC

Kendall Schmitz, Soph., Manitowoc: 13.2 ppg.; First team All-FRCC

Taylor Peterson, Jr., Manitowoc: 10.7 ppg.

Hailey Hafner, Soph., Xavier: 9.1 ppg.

Liz Neils, Jr., Kiel: 11.4 ppg., 6.6 rpg.

Maddie McDole, Jr., Kiel: 10.3 ppg.

Taavi Saeger ,Jr., Kiel: 10.2 ppg., 3.8 apg.

Lauren Stangel, Jr., Roncalli: 16.6 ppg., 59-177 3-PT (33.3%)

Kaylee Jensen, Sr., Two Rivers: 9.4 ppg., 7.1 rpg.

Allison Now, Jr., North Fond du Lac: 10.4 ppg.

Ava Koch, Jr., Omro: 18.8 ppg., 7.4 rpg., 3.5 apg.

Gracie Konkol, Sr., St. Mary’s Springs: 13.3 ppg.

Jasline Lynes, Jr., St. Mary’s Springs: 11.8 ppg.

Jillian Pinno, Soph., St. Mary’s Springs: 9.8 ppg., 8 rpg.

Amaya Brooks, Sr., Brillion: 16.1 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 4.3 apg,

Camden Hale, Sr., Brillion: 12.3 ppg.

Emma Schuh, Soph., Brillion: 10.5 ppg., 8.4 rpg.

Megan Hochkammer, Jr., Valders: 13.3 ppg., 6.7 rpg., 4.1 apg.

Zoey Siders, Jr., Valders: 13,2 ppg. 66-137 3-PT (37.3%)

Olivia Witkowski, Sr., Weyauwega-Fremont: 20 ppg.

Harper Neace, Soph., Winneconne, 13.4 ppg., 7.5 rpg.

Grace Mitchell, Soph., Winneconne: 13.8 ppg., 3 spg.

Jada Kaiser, Jr., Winneconne: 10.9 ppg., 61-157 3-PT (39%)

Kensi Rosenow, Jr., Mishicot: 17.2 ppg.; First team All-Big East North

Karsyn Krause, Sr., Mishicot: 12.2 ppg., 5.6 rpg.

Kortney Dvorachek, Jr., Reedsville: 15.5 ppg.

Mercedes Grimm, Jr., Reedsville: 13.6 ppg., 7.2 rpg.

Audrie Weier, Sr., Bonduel: 10.4 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 3.9 apg., 3 spg.

McKenzie Bonikowske, Sr., Iola-Scandinavia: 10.9 ppg., 9.6 rpg.

Abby Elmhorst, Jr., Manawa: 9.6 ppg.

Aliyah Reese, Jr., Shiocton: 12.3 ppg., 7.3 rpg.

Ingrid Beaumont, Sr., NEW Lutheran: 18.1 ppg.; First team All-Packerland

Lexie Meerstein, Sr., NEW Lutheran: 11.6 ppg.

Addisyn Viestenz, Sr., Oconto: 15 ppg, 4 apg.,; First team All-Packerland; 1,559 career points

Sierra Slaby, Sr., Algoma: 10.1 ppg., 5.6 rpg.; First team All-Packerland

Natalie Schlueter, Jr., Oconto: 13.6 ppg., 9.5 rpg.

Skylyn Baxter, Fr., Peshtigo: 10 ppg.

Kayla Ranly, Sr., Sevastopol: 16.7 ppg.; First team All-Packerland

Naomi Rikkola, Sr., Sevastopol: 16.6 ppg., 7.3 rpg., 4.1 apg.; First team All-Packerland

Ashlyn Delfosse, Sr., Southern Door: 14.7 ppg., 5.1 rpg.

Dasha Yeltsheva, Sr., Sturgeon Bay: 17.3 ppg.

Regan Kasten, Jr., Sturgeon Bay: 12.2 ppg.

Follow Doug Ritchay on X @dougritchay