The Madison Country Day School girls’ varsity basketball team has opened its 2025-26 season with a 6-3 record and a new milestone: Zami ’28 surpassed 500 career points in just the second game.
The fast start comes with wins against division rivals Johnson Creek, Palmyra-Eagle and Parkview.
Building on Success
This strong showing for the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team comes on the heels of last year’s historic run, when the Prairie Hawks captured the program’s first Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Regional Championship.
“We came from an entirely different scene during the 2024 season, from winning no games with little experience to winning Regionals for the first time in MCDS history,” Audrey ’27 said.
The turnaround began with an early upset last year. Ashlyn ’28 recalled the team’s first game last season as a turning point. “We came into our first game with the prediction of us losing 6-60 against Palmyra-Eagle, and then came out of the game with a win,” Ashlyn said.
Team chemistry fueled the Regional run, Audrey said. “We all started communicating effectively, developing inside jokes, and got into a routine that allowed us to think as one unit,” she said.
Zami described the energy at the Regional final as unforgettable.
“The energy in the gym, the fans, and the huge crowd that was there was just insane. It was a moment that we had all prepared for all year.”
Head coach Kassi Conditt credited the eight-player roster’s determination, noting the team had to “win three straight games on the road” to secure the title.
New Energy, Continued Success
This season, the Hawks have expanded to 11 players with the return of Zami, Audrey and Ashlyn, plus the rest of last year’s varsity athletes – Lily ’27, Jae ’26, Sophia ’28, Savanna ’28 and Zaida ’28 – and the addition of Elsa ’29, Zara ’29 and Ruby ’28.
Audrey said the deeper roster will allow for full substitutions and more effective practice drills.
Conditt plans to use the added depth to increase the tempo.
“I definitely want us to play at a faster pace so we can set the tone. I think that will have a huge impact on our confidence and performance this season,” she said.
The team’s goals include a winning conference record and a home playoff game.
“I think we can be more competitive in our conference, and earning a home playoff game, playing in front of our own crowd, would be a huge goal for us,” Conditt said.
Zami added that a second Regional title—and a push to Sectionals—remains the ultimate target.
