By Reagan Hoverman

The six seniors with the Prescott girls’ basketball program know nothing but the feeling of ending the regular season with a Middle Border Conference championship celebration.

That feeling remained true on Tuesday, Feb. 14, as Prescott went on the road and secured a thrilling 45-43 victory over the rival Ellsworth Panthers and claimed their fourth Middle Border Conference Championship in as many years.

The senior class includes Katrina Budworth, Izzy Matzek, Rhi Stutz, Madasyn Rundquist, Rylie Radloff and Addison Huppert, who have now become some of the most well-established players in program history.

After Bella Lenz graduated in 2021 – the undisputed best player in program history – basketball prognosticators throughout the state speculated that Prescott might take a step back. Instead, the aforementioned seniors continued a tradition of excellence and set the gold standard for what Prescott girls’ basketball is capable of annually.

The senior class has adapted well to change, as they’ve played for three different head coaches, have seen the landscape of the conference change with teams joining or leaving, and in the face of it all, they’ve remained steadfast in their success as a collective. First-year head coach Owen Hamilton spoke about what the class of 2023 has been able to accomplish.

“They changed the narrative around Prescott girls basketball,” Hamilton said. “Obviously when I was in high school Bella (Lenz) had a lot to do with that, but it doesn’t just happen with one girl – it happens with a group. There’s not a better group that embodies what it means to be from Prescott and to do things the right way. They’ve set the tone for every group going forward that this is how you do it.”

While the seniors undoubtedly led the charge in the quest for a fourth consecutive Middle Border Conference crown, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario in which Prescott wins the league this season without the contributions of junior forward Lila Posthuma and freshman guard Violet Otto.

Postuma has served as the Cardinals’ best two-way player, as her 14.2 points per game, 7.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest are all team-high figures. After Stutz went down with an injury earlier this season, Otto had her number called as a freshman to jump into the starting line of a team with state tournament hopes.

Since becoming a fulltime starter, Otto has scored 10.1 points per game, the third-most on the team behind Postuma and Budworth. Although Otto is a versatile player, she has quickly established herself as an elite three-point shooter.

As of Monday, Feb. 20, Otto has made 37 three-pointers this season – which is tied for most on the team with Matzek – and shoots the long ball at a 37% clip, the second-best on the team behind only Matzek among qualified shooters.

“I can’t believe she’s a freshman and I can’t believe I get to have her for four years,” Hamilton said of Otto. “The fact that she can go out there and be dominant and be the best player on the court is unbelievable.”

Saying Otto can occasionally be the best player on the floor is a testament to the player she is and will continue to become, especially considering she often shares minutes with Posthuma. Although Posthuma is a textbook definition of a team-first player with her outstanding court vision and passing, she tends to take games over when necessary.

There is perhaps no better example of that than the first Middle Border game of the season, a road contest against the eventual runner- up Somerset Spartans in the penultimate week of November. Postuma recorded a career-high 34 points, which went along with 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals en route to a 66-55 win.

That game jump-started Prescott’s quest for its eventual conference championship. The Cardinals finished the regular season 16-8 overall and 11-3 in the Middle Border Conference. The lone losses came against Baldwin-Woodville, Altoona and Osceola. Hamilton spoke about winning another league title.

“I think it feels better because the girls earned it from day one,” Hamilton said. “To be able to finally check it off the list, they got what they earned and deserved. To hear their cheers and see the smiles on their faces, that’s as good as it gets – and we’re not done yet.”

Prescott received the No. 2 seed in their respective bracket of the Division 3 playoffs and received a first-round bye. The Cardinals will host the winner of the No.7 Ellsworth vs. No. 10 Bloomer game on Friday, Feb. 24, in Prescott. Tip-off for that contest is slated for 7 p.m.

Prescott sophomores Leah French (left) and Jeanne Rohl were all smiles while honoring senior Rhi Stutz before tip-off against Osceola on senior night on Thursday, Feb. 16. Photo by Reagan Hoverman

Prescott junior forward Lila Posthuma makes a layup moments after navigating through multiple Ellsworth defenders. Posthuma and the Cardinals earned a 45-43 win over Ellsworth to secure Prescott’s fourth consecutive Middle Border Conference championship. Photo by Reagan Hoverman