Nicole Dalman and Isabella Lenz each grabbed 12 rebounds in last week’s crucial 59-44 victory over New Richmond. _ Each has now grabbed over 500 rebounds in their high school career._ With the win over the Tigers the Cardinals hold a two game lead in the Middle Border with five conference games to play._ As expected, the new Wisconsin Sports Network girls and boys state rankings changed dramatically with the recent WIAA tournament bracket reassignments. For the girls private school Lacrosse Aquinas takes over the #1 spot in Division III, and St. Croix Falls is now ranked #8._ Both teams are in the Somerset Sectional. _ For the boys, St. Croix Central is ranked #5 and Cameron is ranked #8._ The Panthers and the Comets are the only ranked teams from Division III in the Somerset Sectional._ The Amery Warriors are the #3 ranked wrestling team in Division II._ Incredibly, Wisconsin Wrestling Online has eight Warrior grapplers ranked in the top 10 in their respective weight division._ The Warriors are led by Thejunior/freshman brother combination of Kale and Koy Hopke. Kale is ranked #1 at 195 pounds and Koy is ranked #1 at 220 pounds._ The WIAA wrestling regionals begin this weekend around the state._ Prescott Head Coach Jordan Poirier and his team will be traveling to Arcadia to compete in the Division II regional._ The top ranked wrestler for the Cardinals heading into the tournament is 152 pound junior Sam Murphy.

From the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Conference… The WIAC Council of Chancellors has voted unanimously to begin winter sports competition the week of Feb. 1, with all schedules featuring competition against only conference opponents. Mens and Womens Basketball teams will be divided into two divisions – (East Division: UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater | West Division: UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UWRiver Falls and UW-Stout). Each team will play two games against each divisional opponent, as well as two games against one cross-over opponent, for a total of eight games. All eight teams will qualify for the WIAC Championships that begin on March 1. That is good news UW-Stout Sophomore forward Haylee Yeagar._ The 2019 Prescott High School alumnus played in all 26 games for the BlueDevils last year. _ UW-Stout is scheduled to open this season on February 3rd at River Falls. Yaegar was a two time All Conference selection at Prescott and finished a stellar prep career with over 1,300 career points._ Last week the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources policy board narrowly refused a request to implement a state wolf hunt immediately, citing concerns that the department can't move that fast and Wisconsin's Tribal Nations have not_ been consulted as per treaty rights. According to department estimates, the number of wolves in the state has grown from 815 in 2012 to 1,034 last year. The DNR estimates 256 packs roamed the state in 2020. The agency paid out $2.7 million in wolf depredation payments between 1985 and 2020, with $1.8 million of that paid out from 2011 through last year. Those pushing for the early with hunt argue wolves are killing livestock and posing a threat to children at bus stops. In a 1983 ruling, a federal district court in Chicago ruled treaties signed between the United States Government and the Ojibwe Nation in the 1800s require cooperation in the management of the resources located in the northern third of the state. A November 2021 Wolf is already being planned._ The Prescott girls junior varsity basketball team has won 34 straight games._ Hats off to Head Coach Joan Korfhage and the Cardinals on their impressive streak._ The passing of Hall of Famer Hank Aaron last weekend has brought deserved tribute, after tribute, after tribute. Baseball fans who followed the Hammer's incredible 25 year career know his professional playing days in the Milwaukee Braves organization began at Carson Park in Eau Claire Wisconsin._ An infielder with the Eau Claire Bears in 1952, Aaron was moved to the outfield and began his Major League career in 1954._ Enduring years of racism and hatred throughout his career, Aaron received countless death threat letters in 1973 and 1974 as he approached Babe Ruth’s All Time Homerun record._ After surpassing Ruth in April of 1974 and finishing the season with the Braves, Aaron played his final two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1991, Aaron published his autobiography entitled “I Had A Hammer.” _ The book recalls Aaron’s struggles and triumphs in an atmosphere of virulent racism. Aaron relives the quest to break Ruth’s_ record— an accomplishment for which Aaron received more than 900,000 letters, many of them vicious and racially charged. It is a wonderful book about one of the greatest baseball players in history._ Speaking Aaron….Hey, high school athletes. Want to know how to act on the field or the court?_ Go to youtube and watch videos of Henry Aaron runing the bases after he hits a home run._ Humility and class. Aaron had an infinite amount of both._ Headshaker of the week. A Republican member of the Oklahoma State Legislature has introduced a bill that would create a Bigfoot hunting season. State Representative Justin Humphrey says issuing a state hunting license and tag could help boost tourism. “Establishing an actual hunting season and issuing licenses for people who want to hunt Bigfoot will just draw more people to our already beautiful part of the state,” Humphrey said in a statement. Mind you there was no wry smile or sarcastic grin._ This one could be the biggest headshaker of all time.