The 2015–16 season was an historic one for first-year Platteville girls basketball head coach Brandon Temperly and his Hillmen.
This year’s Platteville squad won a conference title and a regional championship in the same season for the first time in the 40-plus year history of the program.
The Hillmen went 8–2 in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference, winning the outright league title with a victory over Richland Center on the final night of the regular season. A week later, Platteville again knocked off the Hornets to win a WIAA Division 3 regional title.
Platteville’s season ended with a 70–52 loss to SWC rival Prairie du Chien in a D3 sectional semifinal, but that one loss can’t take the shine off an otherwise sparkling season.
Last week Temperly was named the SWC Coach of the Year, while Platteville senior forward Sierra Brecke was named the league’s Player of the Year as the Hillmen dominated the SWC postseason awards.
Brecke headline the five-player All-SWC first team, while sophomore teammate Skye Digman was named second team. Seniors Claire Tashner and Rachel Emendorfer each received honorable mention.
“It is a humbling honor,” said Temperly of being named the SWC Coach of the Year. “It is a by-product of our team success and it is a credit to our staff as well.”
Temperly spent five years as the girls’ head coach at Waupaca (2008–13) before coaching boys JV basketball at Platteville a year ago.
Brecke led the conference in scoring at 20.7 points per game, while averaging 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.0 assists per game. She shot 45.5 percent from the field (183-for-402), 72.6 percent from the free throw line (114-for-157) and a team-best 34.7 percent from 3-point range (34-for-98).
“Sierra has worked for everything she has earned,” said Temperly. “She put in a lot of time this summer, fall, and season to put herself in this position. She was a matchup nightmare with her ability to play in the post, handle the ball, and shoot from the perimeter. She also has great teammates that helped facilitate her success. Individual awards tend to follow successful teams and Sierra is a great individual surrounded by a great team. She should be very proud of this and her teammates can take pride in the award as well.”
Digman finished second on the team in scoring at 10.6 points per game, while leading the team in rebounding (9.2). She also averaged 1.2 steals and shot 42.4 percent (100-for-236) from the field and 64.3 percent from the free throw line (63-for-98).
“Skye earned the respect of the conference as the season progressed,” said Temperly. “She started off as a player trying to figure out her role on the team and by the end of the year she was one of our go-to players. She has a bright future ahead of her with continued hard work.”
Tashner averaged 9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 assists per game. She shot 37.3 percent (81-for-217) from the field, and 60.4 percent from the line (64-for-106).
“Claire was one vote shy of being second-team all-conference and, in my eyes, she is a second-team all-conference player,” said Temperly. “She guarded the team’s best player nearly every game and she was a key decision maker on offense. We put a lot of trust and responsibility in her hands and she was willing and able to meet the challenge. Her willingness to work hard and learn will be missed.”
Emendorfer averaged 5.3 points and 2.6 rebounds, while leading the team in steals (3.8) and assists (3.5) per game. She shot 30 percent (42-for-142) from the field and finished second on the team with 20 3-pointers made.
“Rachel is one of the best leaders I’ve had the privilege to coach,” added Temperly. “She communicates very well and sees the game a step or two ahead defensively. She is a great teammate to all, regardless of age or skill, and that quality will carry over effectively in the ‘real’ world. Her value to this team could not be measured by statistics and I’m glad coaches from around the league recognized her importance with this honor.”
2016 All-SWC Girls Basketball Team
Coach of the Year
Brandon Temperly, Platteville
Player of the Year
Sierra Brecke, Platteville, sr.
First team
Sierra Brecke, Platteville, sr.
Brooke Trautsch, PdC, sr.
Brooklyn Liegel, Rich. Center, jr.
Madison Rizner, Rich. Center, so.
Kara Crowley, Dodgeville, jr.
Second team
Hannah Jones, Dodgeville, so.
Skye Digman, Platteville, so.
Taylor Briehl, River Valley, jr.
Kelsey Achenbach, PdC, sr.
Alexis Galvan, Lancaster, sr.
Honorable mention
Ashton Doll, Lancaster, sr.; Kindra Yoose, Lancaster, sr.; Claire Tashner, Platteville, sr.; Rachel Emendorfer, Platteville, sr.; Brooke Peterson, Richland Center, sr.; Kylie Hoffman, River Valley, sr.
