Hats off to Head Girls Basketball Coach Rob Radloff. Last week the Glidden High School alumnus invited 2009 Prescott graduate Kaycee Charette to present an award to Isabella Lenz for becoming the all time leading scorer in Cardinal girls basketball history. An 11 time all conference selection in high school, Charette played college basketball at Moorhead State in Western, Minnesota after a stellar high school career. It’s always good for alumni to be recognized by current coaches and players. Well done Coach Radloff.

The St. Croix Central Central Panthers are ranked #6 in Division 3 in the latest Wisconsin Sports Network State poll and are all alone at the top of the Middle Border Conference with a record of 5-0. The #8 ranked Altoona Railroaders are the other top 10 ranked team in the Somerset Sectional. Across Highway 29 the River Falls Wildcats are the #4 ranked team in Division 2. For the girls Prescott heads into the second week of January ranked #9 with Heart of the North Conference member St. Croix Falls ranked #7. Wisconsin Wrestling On-Line has the Amery Warriors as the #2 ranked team in Division 2 with fellow conference member Baldwin-Woodville ranked #11. Perennial wrestling power Ellsworth is listed as Honorable Mention. At 152 pounds Sam Murphy received Honorable Mention recognition. Coleman is the top ranked team in Division 3 and perennial power Stoughton holds the top spot in Division 1.

From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources… On January 16th and 17th, you can fish almost anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp on Free Fishing Weekend. All other inland waters and Wisconsin's side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River are open for you to test your skills and try your luck, except for spring trout ponds. Learn more about the early trout season and the trout regulations for clarification. If you see a season date listed for a specific body of water, you're welcome to fish there, although please keep in mind that some waters may be catch and release only. Good luck!

WIAA Spring Sports seasons will begin on April 19th this year and last throughout the month of June. Some Wisconsin football and volleyball teams will begin their alternative seasons on March 8th with the earliest football scrimmage/game allowed on March 17th. The alternative spring seasons will end on May 8th.

Where are they now? Erik Diley 2005 Prescott alumnus. A three sport athlete at Prescott, Diley was an all conference performer in both basketball and track and field. After graduation Diley attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Diley competed in track and field and went on to become among the most decorated long and triple jumpers in Johnnie history. Diley was named an all conference in the triple jump four times, and in the long jump three times. Diley earned All American honors in the long jump in 2007 and 2008. During the 2008 season Diley set a St. John’s record with a long jump of 7.30 meters (23.95 feet). Diley served as an Assistant Coach for a time at the University of St.Thomas and today resides in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota.

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will resume winter sports competition for the 2020-21 season next month contingent upon the securing of ongoing COVID-19 testing. The plan requires all WIAC institutions to secure testing for student-athletes, support staff and game officials in order to provide safe competition environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of play includes the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s indoor track & field, men’s and women’s swimming & diving, and wrestling. Conference only schedules are set to resume on February 1st.

Headshaker of the week. Come on spectators! For the umpteenth time keep your masks on while in the bleachers. The players, more than anyone else, want to be able to continue competing. Let’s do all we can to ensure these young people have the opportunity to continue to experience the joys of interscholastic competition. Don’t be a headshaker.