January 2026

The town of Middleton’s petition to incorporate as a village survived a preliminary challenge last week (JAN. 13) by the city of Middleton.

The Middleton Cross Plains Area School District board of education received a report from Assistant Superintendent Jerrud Rossing about current enrollment projections for the 2026-2027 school year. The open enrollment period for the next school year begins in early February and closes at the end of April. There are currently 270 open-enrolled students in district schools.

Sure, it’s always nice to roll past an opponent for an easy victory.

But it’s the close ones that are remembered most and Middleton’s boys basketball team won’t soon forget its heart stopping 72-70 overtime victory over Big Eight Conference rival Verona in front of a packed Verona fieldhouse on Jan. 13.

In a showdown between conference unbeatens, the game became an instant classic as both teams battled back and forth throughout in a contest that wasn’t decided until the final buzzer.

“Sometimes you see some of the scores around the league, around the state and you see a 90-45 or something like that. We would much rather play in a game like this,” said Middleton coach Kevin Bavery. “Of course you want to win, but I’d rather play in a game like this and lose.

“It’s okay to have a mismatch once in a while and get that kind of game where you can involve a lot more guys but it really is about having a packed gym and having it come down to the last shot.”

Middleton’s girls basketball team won two of three games last week.

The Cardinals defeated Madison East, 77-26, and Madison West, 84-20, in Big Eight Conference games. The Cardinals also fell to Stevens Point, 64-57.

Middleton is now 9-6 overall and 7-4 in the Big Eight.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ three games.

• Stevens Point 64, Middleton 57 — The Cardinals out three players in double figures, but fell short against the visiting Pointers on Jan. 13.
Lucy Drye led Middleton with 14 points, while Hailey Stroede had 12 points and nine rebounds. Brooke Michelotti added 11 points and three rebounds, while Rowan Borne chipped in with eight points.

Anna Reinhard had six points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Hailey Roepsch had five rebounds.

• Middleton 77, Madison East 26 — Ten different Cardinals scored in a comfortable win over the Purgolders on Jan. 14.