NEW GLARUS — The Glarner Knights finished 19-5 last season, including an 8-2 record in the Capitol South. The squad returns a slew of talent, though it graduated Jaylynn Benson, the program’s all-time scoring leader, as well as all-conference guard Shealynn Klosterman-Havens.

Sophomore guard Lindsey Schadewalt, who was a second-team all-conference pick last year as a freshman, returns this year, as do Libby Maclean, Dayna Karls, Ellie Eichelkraut, Peyton Yaun, Grace Nommensen and Alex Atwell.

Schadewalt averaged 14.7 points per game last year, and was 44 of 97 from 3-point range. Nommensen also had a solid season, averaging 6.5 ppg, and head coach Kevin Parman expects his junior guard to build off her success from a year ago.

Newcomers to the team include junior Jordyn Rundy, sophomores Bella Brenkman, Meagan Peterson and Emma Martinson, plus freshman shooting guard Elle Lancaster.

Parman expects his squad to contend for a conference championship, using the team’s collective strength in speed, depth and defense. He said rebounding and playing consistent fundamental basketball will be challenges the squad must overcome.

Parman said Belleville, Waterloo and Marshall will be targeted in the preseason as teams likely to contend for a conference championship this winter.

Marshall won the Capitol South last season — just as it had the previous three seasons. In fact, Marshall hasn’t lost a conference game since the 2016-17 season. 

Marshall graduated its two first-team all-conference recipients now playing NCAA Division I, Anna Lutz (3-time player of the year) and Laura Nickel, as well as second-team all-conference player Mya Andrews.

Cambridge brings back three all-conference players, while Belleville has two returning all-conference players (Ava Foley and Callie Smith), as well as the rest of the starting five. Waterloo also returns plenty of talent as well.