By Chris Parker
Gainesville girls basketball has a new head coach in Nathan Houk this season.
He had previously served as head coach at Ava in both the boys (three years) and girls (seven years) programs.
Gainesville’s tradition and potential attracted him to the position.
“Gainesville has had a rich tradition in winning basketball over the past several years,” Houk said. “I think we have a good group returning from last season and have the same group returning for the 2026-27 season along with a strong eighth grade class.”
He takes over a team coming off a seven-win season.
“Our focus needs to be on improving our fundamentals and playing together as a team,” Houk said. “(We need to) defend and rebound for 32 minutes and take care of the ball. Previous teams have had too many turnovers and allowed the opponent to score too many points.”
Addie Alms returns for her junior year after earning first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore. She averaged 16.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
“Addie runs the floor well and has the ability to score inside and out. More importantly, she is a good teammate and wants to win,” Houk said. “Addie needs to continue to improve on her fundamentals, stay more disciplined, and stay out of foul trouble.”
Kelsie Hogan is a junior who averaged 3.2 points, 3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 assists per game.
“Kelsie started in several games last season,” Houk said. “She will be a tough defender for us. Her speed makes her hard to stop in transition. She will be a tough player for us on both sides of the ball. She defends well, can get to the basket, and has a nice midrange jumper.”
Baylor Hewitt, a sophomore, had a strong freshman campaign with 6.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
“Baylor is another returning starter for us,” Houk said. “She has a nice perimeter shot and has the ability to play inside. She led the team in rebounding average and was second on the team in scoring. Her season was cut short with a hip injury, but she has made a full recovery. Her ability to score and rebound will be a huge help this season.”
Mylie Frye is another sophomore who had a varsity impact with 3.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in her freshman season.
“Mylie is a returning starter,” Houk said. “She has the ability to score in transition and off the bounce. Mylie can also be a strong defender for our team. She has quick hands and feet, making her a tough match-up for anybody she guards.”
Sophomores Addi Garrison, Amie Winrod and Cami Strain also return.
Houk on Garrison: “Addi is a guard that will provide our varsity with depth on both ends of the floor. She has a strong work ethic accompanied by speed and quickness. Her ability to handle the ball and defend could earn her varsity minutes.”
Houk on Winrod: “Amie is a returning letterman. She can play in the post or on the perimeter. Her strength and athleticism will be tough to stop and earn her a lot of varsity minutes. Aimie can also be a defensive stopper in the post and on the perimeter.”
Houk on Strain: “Cami is a guard that could help provide depth on both ends of the floor. She handles the ball well and has lots of speed and quickness.”
Macy Hambelton, Sadie Walker and Lola Wade are all freshmen who could contribute right away.
Houk on Hambelton: “Macy is a hardworking guard. She will provide depth at the point guard position and perimeter shooting. Her length, quickness, and athleticism will allow her lots of opportunities to contribute at the varsity level if she continues to work at it. She can score from behind the arc or in transition and she’s a good passer.”
Houk on Walker: “Sadie is a good all-around player. She can score from the arc or off the bounce, and she does a nice job of defending. With all that said, her best asset is her basketball IQ. She knows the game. Sadie will provide guard depth and shooting and she is capable of defending different positions.”
Houk on Wade: “Lola with provide depth at the post position and take advantage of JV games to improve her skill on both sides of the ball. With hard work and focus she could step into a varsity game and help her team in the post.”
Emma Donley is a sophomore transfer from Ava.
“She will provide depth at the guard spot and outside shooting,” Houk said. “More importantly, she sees the floor well and does a great job of sharing the ball with her teammates and has a high basketball IQ.”
Houk identified freshmen Reagan Blackburn and Isabell Workman as junior varsity guards.
“Our depth and quickness will be one of our biggest strengths,” Houk said. “If players continue to work hard, we could be a strong team defensively and also have to ability to score inside and out.”
Gainesville opens up the season on Nov. 21 at Koshkonong.
