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One week closer to the state tournament and things are getting interesting.  There are still several unbeatens that we ll keep an eye on but these four teams I ve spotlighted have seen some losses, but have what it takes to take it to the next level.

 

Division 1 – Milwaukee King

 

Top Returners –

Sarina Simmons – Senior – 6 1

Rachel Story – Senior – 5 6

Lanae Rash – Senior – 5 7

 

Other Key Players –

Jasmyne Reynolds – Junior

J Anna McLain – Senior

Alexis Eckies – Freshman

Avyanna Young – Freshman

Sakeenah Rashada - Sophomore

 

Team Strengths –

Athleticism and Unselfishness.  The Generals have two of the top seniors in the state in Story and Simmons, who will both be playing in the Big East next year, Story at Louisville and Simmons at Marquette.  They also have the talent of Lanae Rash, who is a D1 talent but is hidden at times behind the brilliance of Story and Simmons.  With all this fire power, coach Craig Machut says he is still impressed by the unselfishness of his top players and their desire to win.  "The girls don t care how many points they have or how they do in our big games, they just want to win and continue to improve."  Defensively they have what it takes, they will just need to continue to be able to stop big players as they will run into several along the way if they are to make it to Madison.     

 

To Take the Next Step –

This team has had to fight through some difficult changes so far this season.  Their head coach resigned just weeks before the season started and one of their seniors, Asia McMillian, has recently been sidelined with a broken foot.  However, the talent that this team has could be enough to take them to the next level.  It will depend on how much they continue to improve as they get settled in with their new system. They are currently 10-3 this season and just Tuesday suffered a 66-62 loss to Milwaukee Vincent, but was able to test the Vikings down the stretch.  King has a group of very natural scorers and if they can develop a team offensive flow that takes advantage of their versatility, they could find themselves playing for a gold ball in March.

 

Division 2 – Grafton

 

Top Returners –

Sarah Eichler – Senior – 5 11

Hilary Wellnitz – Senior – 5 5

Myranda Tyler – Junior – 6 1

Other Key Players –

Abbey Benzschawel – Sophomore – 6 1

Hannah Eichler – Freshman – 5 9

 

Team Strengths –

Pressure Defense and State Experience.  This team lost last season in the first round of the state tournament to Freedom 65-61 in overtime but won the state title in overtime two years ago.  Although they lost a key piece of those teams when Rachel Henke graduated, Sarah Eichler has stepped up and proven to be just as productive.  She is currently averaging 23 points per game and has helped Grafton to a 13-1 record.  Their pressure defense and speed make it difficult for many teams to get a good look at the basket.  With the experience of this group and a leader like Eichler, look for this team to be back in Madison come March.

 

To Take the Next Step –

In order to get back to State for the third year in a row, Grafton will have to find a way to be more consistent on offense.  Eichler poses a problem for many teams, but they will have to find a way to get some points from other girls on the team when they finally run up against a team that will match up with her better.  She s the complete package, tough, versatile, quick and tall, but as they make their way through their sectional, they might run into another player much like her if they face Ripon and Taylor Wurtz.  It s at this point that Grafton will have to pull together and find the confidence that they need to give themselves a chance at another gold ball for these seniors.

 

 

Division 3 – Neillsville

 

Top Returners –

Sheila Opelt – Senior – 5 9

Mallori Sydorowicz – Senior – 5 7

Angela Meshnick – Junior – 6 0

 

Other Key Players –

Allison Sydorowicz – Senior – 5 8

Caitlin Courtney – Junior – 5 8

Tia Opelt – Junior – 5 4

Sammie Pfeiffer – Sophomore – 5 9

Stephanie O Leary – Sophomore – 5 4

 

Team Strengths –

This team returns the firepower of the Sydorowicz duo as well as Sheila Opelt, who is the top returning scorer from last year.  They have the experience of state caliber basketball from their trip to Madison in 2006.  This veteran team is beating their opponents by an average of 37 points and twice has won by over 60, so offensively they have what it takes.  Coach Gaier is impressed with his teams overall work ethic, unselfishness and overall basketball IQ.  Neillsville seems to have a balanced attack with their top three or four players and that could be trouble for many D3 teams. 

  

To Take the Next Step –

In order to get back to the state tournament, the Warriors will have to get through a fairly tough sectional that includes Osseo-Fairchild, who is still unbeaten at this point as well.  At 14-0, can this team continue to take care of business knowing that everyone is gunning for them?  Coach Gaier says as a team they have one goal, "to improve as a team and individuals every single day."  If they can continue to get better and work hard in a conference in which they don t get the level of competition night in and night out that they will face as they progress through sectionals, they have a shot at a gold ball. 

 

Division 4 – Black Hawk

 

Top Returners –

Gabi Lehner – Senior – 5 3

Paige Butler – Senior – 5 9

Maria Meives – Senior – 5 2

Kim Wellnitz – Junior – 5 11

 

Other Key Players –

Hailey Meier – Senior – 5 4

Savannah Ernzen – Senior – 5 4

Melissa Wellnitz – Sophomore – 5 6

Katie Place – Junior – 5 10

Rachel Rygh – Sophomore – 5 10

 

Team Strengths –

Speed and Depth.  The Warriors return 4 starters from last year s team that were 20-5 and fell one game short of going to state.  They lost in the sectional finals by 3 points.  They have strong leadership in Butler and Wellnitz and this team seems hungry to get their chance in Madison.  Their quickness on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball makes them tough to stop when they are firing on all cylinders.

 

To Take the Next Step –

Use their leadership to step up in the big game.  They beat Potosi and then lost to them in a game less than a week later.  If they can use that loss to regain focus and their determination, they could make some noise in their sectional.  If they can continue to convert their opportunities from the field and stay consistent at the free throw line, look for the Warriors to continue playing well into March!