On January 3, 2026, the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP) scoring record didn’t just break; it was redefined. Senior guard Daulton Bauer officially cemented his legacy as the most prolific scorer in Bulldog history, surpassing the previous holder, Josh Zeimke (1998), to become the program’s all-time leading scorer.
For Bauer, the milestone is a culmination of a journey that began long before he ever donned the varsity blue and silver. We sat down with the new record-holder to discuss his rise from a third-grade gym rat to the top of the JWP mountain.
Basketball has always been more than a game for the Bauer family—it’s a lifestyle. Daulton’s introduction to the sport came almost as soon as he could dribble.
“I grew up around it,” he said. “I started playing in the third grade, and by the time I was a freshman, I was starting on varsity.”
While many young players struggle with the transition to the high school level, Bauer’s “aha” moment came early. Between his eighth-grade year and his freshman season, he realized his game had shifted into a higher gear.
“I took a huge step from the JV to the varsity level during that time,” he recalled. That leap proved to be the catalyst for a four-year run that would eventually rewrite the record books.
Despite his scoring prowess, Bauer doesn’t model his game after pure volume shooters. Instead, he looks to the NBA’s elite playmakers for a more balanced blueprint.
“I take inspiration from Devin Booker as a two-way guard,” Bauer explained. “I try to balance my game out as a facilitator. I’m always trying to make the assist and the smart pass.”
That unselfishness is a hallmark of the current JWP squad, which features a unique family dynamic. Daulton shares the court with his brothers, Gavin and Maddex, creating a chemistry that is rare at the high school level.
“It’s not much of a rivalry; there’s just great chemistry between the three of us,” Daulton said. “Gavin and I have pushed each other to be better and we play really well together on the floor.”
Bauer’s ascension has been guided by Coach Nick James, who has frequently praised the senior for his leadership and character. When asked about his coach’s impact, Bauer was quick to credit the man on the sidelines.
“He’s been one of the best coaches in basketball. He puts a lot of faith in me,” Bauer said. “He’s truthful and honest about the things I need to improve on, and he challenges me. He’s helped me improve my game and become a better person.”
As the 2025-26 season approached, the scoring record loomed on the horizon. While Bauer knew he was close, he refused to let the pursuit of history dictate his playstyle.
“It was on my radar after last season… I knew it was reachable, but I didn’t know exactly how close,” he admitted. “Knowing it was there helped me to just play my own game and not force anything. I went about each game the same way and played my role.”
That steady approach paid off on January 3rd. While the record is now his, Bauer is far from finished. With the postseason approaching, the “Top Dawg” has his sights set on two more goals: reaching the 2,000-point milestone and leading this Bulldog team to the State Tournament.
“It means a lot to me,” Bauer said of the record. “It shows how well I’ve played and how well my team has played. They’ve helped contribute to this, but there is still something worth playing for and we think we have a good shot to make it to State this year.”
Before returning to the grind of the season, Bauer took a moment to acknowledge the community that raised him.
“I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, brothers, family, and friends for all their support,” he said. “It’s easy to work and thrive when you have such a great community behind you.”
