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Pecatonica ladies early favorites to win NUIC North
By Trenten Scheidegger
Coaches around the NUIC-North have pegged the Pecatonica Indians as the early favorites to win the NUIC-North Girls’ Basketball Conference this season. Orangeville’s head coach, Jay Doyle, called it, “Pecatonica’s to lose.” Lena-Winslow head coach, Dennis Huttenlocher, called Pecatonica, “The top team in the conference.”
It’s easy to see why two of the top NUIC coaches would have such high expectations for the Indians. Pec’s head coach, Daniel Rosenstiel, is entering his third season as the girls’ head coach. Last year, his squad broke the school’s single season win record by going 25-7. That team graduated just two players, Lauren Mellentine and Casey Martin.
Rosenstiel’s Indians return a majority of their roster from last year. Leading the way is recent Wright State basketball commit, Elaina Rager. Rosenstiel said the Division 1 commit is, “poised for a huge senior campaign. She has been one of the best and most versatile players in the area and we expect that to continue this season.”
The Indians also return First Team All-Conference senior guard Kianna Degner. Rosenstiel called Degner, “the quarterback of our team.” Before adding that she, “should have more opportunity as a scorer this year because we are deeper at the guard position, specifically.”
Additionally, the Indians return Payton Thomas, who should find things a little easier holding down the paint defensively in 2024-25. Thomas, a senior forward, won’t have to face as much height this season with Whitney Sullivan and Grace Groezinger graduating last year. Although Thomas has been the team’s leading defender, Rosenstiel also expects her to take a jump offensively this season.
Pec also has an exciting influx of talent joining the varsity level for this year. A pair of freshman, Korah Noud and Ryleigh Alexander, are expected to provide an immediate boost to the varsity team.
“Korah is a very polished player and is mature beyond her years. She can really shoot the basketball and has a very good handle at the guard position,” Rosenstiel shared, before adding that he expects her to be, “a key addition to the team.”
On Alexander, Rosenstiel said, “Ryleigh is an extreme athlete who is dangerous in the open court, slashing to the basket, and leading fastbreaks. We expect her to be a great defender and get a lot of steals and deflections, which should allow us to run more in transition. She is one of the most positive personalities I’ve ever been around as a coach as her energy and vibe is contagious to all.”
Pec also returns a pair of juniors, Amani Boyd and Delaney Handy, both of which Rosenstiel expects to take on a larger role.
“Both are very physical, tough kids,” he shared. “They are always in the right spot and can rebound at a high level. They should play on a regular basis and provide some high quality depth for our team.”
Additionally, the Indians picked up some veteran experience with former Forreston player Ericka Alexander transferring in. Alexander, a senior, was an All-Conference caliber player on the other side of the conference and is expected to play a versatile role for Pec. Rosenstiel noted her ability to play all five positions and that she, “has got a chip on her shoulder to prove to the area that she is a prime-time player.”
Rosenstiel and the Indians are embracing the target on their backs atop the NUIC North. From the jump, their goal this season is to claim a conference championship. Additionally, they would like to set some more Pecatonica history by making a deep postseason run. That would mean winning a Sectional game, but for now the Indians are just going to take it day-by-day.
The 2024-25 Indians are loaded with experience, versatility, and depth. They will be able to attack defenses from multiple spots on the floor, all while remaining fresh with a deep bench.
The Indians tipped off the season on Nov. 18 in a matchup versus Ashton-Franklin Center (results of which were not available at press time). This Friday, Nov. 22, they play host to AFC once again, with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off. On Tuesday, Nov. 26, the Indians return home to play host to the Polo Marcos with the same start time.
