SEASON PREVIEW: 2025-26 Madison College WolfPack Women's Basketball

Madison College women's basketball turned some heads last season with a ten-win improvement in head coach Angel Whetstone's second year. The 2025-26 squad is ready to make even more in the basketball community stand up and take notice as they vie for a Region 4 championship behind a deep and talented roster.

“A big key this season is our defense, and several of our incoming players take pride in their ability to defend. They bring quickness, dog mentality and toughness on the perimeter and inside, giving us more versatility and depth on the defensive end. We’re going to be a team that’s not going to get tired of defending our opponent. Offensively, our players can create their own shots, stretch the floor, and finish around the rim. Whether it’s consistent outside shooting, playmaking, or attacking the basket, our newcomers add scoring options that will open up our offense and complement our returners. As a whole, this team has a spark that we didn’t have last season at the beginning of the year. Their effort, enthusiasm, and willingness to compete every single day is exactly what we want our program to be built on. I’m excited for this season and can’t wait for our WolfPack to show the community what we’ve been building.”

Returners

The WolfPack's returning group is led by forward Dani Latz, who earned Second Team All-Region 4 accolades following a breakout freshman campaign. The Bloomer, Wisconsin, native averaged 14.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks, while also racking up 19 double-doubles. Also back are guards Jaida Gaskins (10.9 ppg, 2.1 apg), Keelyn Zwirschitz (10.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 apg), and Maia Ellis (7.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg), as well as forward Amaya Travis (3.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg). 

“Our 2025–26 team is built on the strong foundation of six returning players who were instrumental in last season’s success. Their leadership, consistency, and competitiveness helped push us forward last year, and they are prepared to carry that momentum into the new season. This group now has the experience and leadership that we need to have an exceptional season. With our returners, we’re confident in our ability to build on last year’s success. Their impact will be felt not only in the stat sheet, but in the culture, preparation, and determination they bring to our program every day.”

Newcomers

Coach Whetstone completed her roster with a guard-heavy group of new additions for 2025-26. Leading the way is guard Chloe Bynum (Green Bay, WI), a transfer who averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season at in-state and Region 4 rival Milwaukee Area Technical College. The rest of the group includes guards Iyanna Green (Kenosha, WI), Jamera Green (Milwaukee, WI), Ava Landrum (Glendale, WI), and Serinity Metcalfe (Milwaukee, WI), and fowards Sofi Blahnik (Monona, WI) and Madi DeSmet (Belleville, WI).

“Our newcomers bring an exciting mix of talent and intangibles that will immediately strengthen our roster! This group brings defensive toughness, offensive firepower, and the energy. These are qualities that will help elevate our program this season. Together, this class adds depth, balance, and a competitive edge that will be crucial to our success. Their impact will be felt right away, and we’re excited to see how they contribute to building on last season’s achievements.”

Schedule

The 2025-26 schedule opens with a trio of games away from home, starting with the season-opener at Prairie State College on November 1. Following another road game at McHenry County College on November 4 and a neutral site contest with Gogebic Community College at JustAGame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, the WolfPack welcomes Iowa Central Community College to H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium for the home opener on November 13. It is the first of 13 home dates for the Pack, which includes a February 17 showdown with defending region champion Rock Valley College, who opens as the #12-ranked team in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll. College of Lake County also won a region crown last winter and is receiving votes in the preseason poll, and they welcome Madison College to Grayslake, Illinois, on November 25. The NJCAA Division III Preseason Poll has Anoka-Ramsey Community College ranked second ahead of a December 10 neutral site meeting in Rochester, Minnesota, while the WolfPack will visit #7-ranked Joliet Junior College on January 27. The regular season wraps up with Sophomore Day on February 21 against Carl Sandburg College before the Region 4 Tournament runs February 25 and 28, as well as March 7. Region champions will earn an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championships in Hickory, North Carolina, from March 16-21.