Eagles’ pair named all-conference

Sauk Prairie’s girls basketball team posted the program’s most victories in a season in 10 years this winter. Then, the Eagles received some well-deserved recognition when it came time to postseason honors. Sauk Prairie junior guard Naomi Breunig earned first-team honors, while senior guard Ella Schad received honorable mention all-Northern Badger Conference recognition. “That was exciting,” Sauk Prairie third-year coach Amber Fiene said. “Ella was one I was rooting for, hoping she could get something just because of her effort, leadership and everything about her.” Sauk Prairie finished with a 13-11 record, including a 5-9 mark in the Badger North Conference. That was the Eagles’ most wins in a season since the 2009-‘10 team went 20-5 and won the conference title with a 10-2 mark. It was also the first time the Eagles’ varsity program finished with at least a .500 record since the 2013-‘14 team was 12-12. Leading the way were the one-two punch of Breunig, in her third varsity season, and Schad, a four-year varsity player. Breunig led Sauk Prairie with 17.9 points per game and was second in rebounding with 4.0 per game. Breunig also led the team with 4.8 steals per game, 35 blocked shots and 28 three-pointers made. Breunig was one of 10 players named first-team all-league. “We haven’t had a first team player since I’ve been coaching,” Fiene said of Breunig. “She definitely improved on the defensive end, and we’re hoping that continues next year.” Fiene said among Breunig’s strengths was the time she put in during the off-season. “She shot well this year, especially inside the arc, and shot over 70% from the free-throw line which was an area that we have had trouble with,” Fiene said. “She is also an incredible passer.” In earning all-conference recognition for the first time, Schad, a defensive sparkplug the past two seasons, led the Eagles with 3.4 assists per game and was third in scoring at 7.4 points per game. “It was about her all-around consistency with gritty defensive ability and effort and stamina to be able to play almost entire games,” Fiene said of Schad. “But one of her goals was not only be a defensive contributor, but one on offense as well. “This year she was able to contribute on both ends of the floor. She was such a great kid. You know you’re always going to get 100% from her all the time. She is one we are truly going to miss next year.” Three-time unbeaten conference champion Beaver Dam placed three starters on the first team, including junior guard Maty Wilke, who was a unanimous selection as the league’s Player of the Year.  Also representing Beaver Dam on the first team was senior guard Jada Donaldson, a UW-Milwaukee recruit who was a unanimous first-team selection, and junior guard Natalie Jens.  Other first-team selections included Reedsburg sophomores Trenna Cherney and Marha Wieman, DeForest seniors Megan Mickelson and Maggie Trautsch, Waunakee junior Elena Maier and Mount Horeb junior Julia Magnuson.