Congratulations to Head Coach Tracey Budworth and the Prescott volleyball team on their record setting season. The Cardinals won their first regional championship in 40 years, captured a share of the conference title, and topped 30 wins for the first time in school history. The Rice Lake Warriors volleyball followed their semi-final victory over Prescott with a three-game sweep of Waupaca to advance to this weekend’s WIAA State Volleyball Tournament at the Resch Center in Green Bay. It will be the third trip to the state tournament for Rice Lake. One last thing about the semi-final game between Prescott and Rice Lake.  

And what about the Rice Lake student cheering section? Their enthusiastic, high-energy support for their classmates made for an incredible atmosphere during the sectional semi-final. The only thing that would have created an even better atmosphere would have been an appearance by the Rice Lake pep band. Well done Rice Lake students on your frenzied and passionate support.  

Up Highway 35 the St. Croix Falls Saints defeated private school Chippewa Falls McDonnell in three games to advance to the state tournament for the third time in four years. St. Croix Falls is the #1 ranked team in Division 3. 

Head Coach Owen Hamilton and the Prescott girls basketball team begin practice this Monday. The Cardinals are the defending Middle Border Conference Champion and finished with an overall record of 17-9 last year. On Nov. 11, Head Coach Nick Johnson and the boys basketball team begin their preparations for the 2023-24 season. Last year the boys finished second in the Middle Border Conference and ended the season with an overall record of 21-6. And first year Head Coach Ian Ruble and the Cardinal wrestling team begin their season on Nov. 13. Good luck. 

Prescott High School was host to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday. Both the men’s and women’s teams from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse finished atop the podium. 

Bradley University recruit Lila Posthuma is on pace to become Prescott girls basketball’s next 1,000 point scorer. Additionally, Posthuma will enter her senior season with well over 500 career rebounds. For the boys, senior Dallas Wallin will enter his final season with the Cardinals with 1,183 career points and 627 rebounds. 

Michigan Tech will open the 2023 season this Saturday in Wisconsin Dells in an exhibition game against Stevens Point. Junior guard Isabella Lenz and the Huskies will open the year with four consecutive home games before they hit the road for a three-game road swing in Minnesota. On Tuesday, Nov. 28, Michigan Tech will be at the Ganglehoff Center on the campus of the University of Concordia-St. Paul. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

It will be a Middle Border WIAA football quarterfinal this Friday as #4 seed Baldwin-Woodville hosts #6 seed Somerset. Baldwin-Woodville defeated St. Croix Central 46-29 and Somerset shocked #2 seed Mosinee 42-40 as the Spartans scored on the last play of the game to garner their second consecutive playoff upset. The winner will advance to play the winner of the game between Lodi and Appleton Xavier. Middle Border Conference champion Rice Lake will host Onalaska on Friday after thumping Sparta by a score of 50-20. 

There are few things more spectacular than an October walk through the woods in northwestern Wisconsin. Although the upland bird flushes this past weekend were few and far between, leisurely jaunts through the forests of Polk County’s MacKenzie Creek Wildlife Area coupled with some strolls through some private land provided picturesque vistas of the October woodlands in Wisconsin. It is unquestionably the most beautiful time of the year to enjoy the outdoors. 

From the WIAA: Beginning in June 2024, the higher-seeded team at the State Baseball Tournament will be declared the home team for each game in all divisions. For regionals and for the sectional semifinal level, the higher-seeded team will be the home team in all divisions. For the sectional finals, the higher seed will be declared the home team in Division 1, and a coin flip will determine the home team in Divisions 2, 3 and 4. Headshaker of the week.