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The Belleville Girls Basketball team, like so many others, faced a difficult 2020-21 season due to COVID-19, which included challenges such as getting to play no games in their home gym and many games having to played on back-to-back days because of scheduling issues. The Wildcats are now ready to use these difficult experiences, along with an impressive Division 3 play-off win over Platteville, and turn them into a successful 2021-22 season as they look to compete for their first conference title in over a decade.

Head Coach Tony Pharo is entering his third year with the Wildcats and is bringing back his entire starting lineup from last year, which will consist of a strong senior class of players. The Wildcats will be led by 2nd team All-Conference selection Callie Smith, who is notably one of the top rebounders in the state of Wisconsin and was selected by the Wisconsin State Journal to be on the 2020-21 All-Area Girls Basketball Team as an Honorable Mention. Smith averaged 11.3 points and 12.1 rebounds per game for the Wildcats last season. Another strong leader for the Wildcats is returning top scorer and Honorable Mention All-Conference selection Ava Foley, with 12.8 points per game. Foley also averaged 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Belleville will also welcome back Mickey Stampfl, who is well known as the Wildcats’ floor general and is turning the heads of multiple college recruiters. Look for the two Most Improved Players of the 2020-21 Wildcat season Kenna Edge and Alyssa Caskey to round out the returning starting line-up. The Wildcats are looking to be a much deeper team this season and are also looking for major contributions from juniors Lainey Winkers and Kailey Prochaska and newcomer freshmen Maddie DeSmet and Addison Edge, along with others.

The Wildcats will open their 2021-22 season against the Argyle Orioles on Tuesday, November 16th, and play Division 5 power Albany Comets on Friday, November 19th.