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It's Make a Prediction night! Everyone looks forward to that every year at this time.

 

Hello Again Everyone!

 

Another Mr. 200!

Don Bjelland, Head Coach at Grantsburg picked up win number 200 on May 8th when his club beat St. Croix Falls. I have deleted Don s name from the 100 win list and added it to the 200 win list on the Coaches Honor Roll Page of the website. Congratulations Don!

I got a chance to see the state s top ranked Division 3 team in action today in Oakfield. We traveled there and came away on the very short end of an 11-0 game. They hit the ball well and their pitching was good.

 

I have received several names of players whose coaches believe that the player is worthy of Gatorade Player of the Year. I have forwarded their names to the fella I am working with. He is located in Boston. He filled me in on some of the criteria that is used in choosing the player for that award. Part of the process involves academic success as well as on the field success.

 

In my humble opinion – Player of the Year means that the player is the very best player in the state of Wisconsin. She should be able to compete with and against the very best competition that the state has to offer; game in and game out. She must be the kind of player that would fit into or on to any team she were to be placed and would be the dominant player on that team. If that player is a pitcher, she ought to be able to pitch her team to the state championship game and probably win. There would be a great chance that a player other than pitcher could be on a team that doesn t even make it to the state tournament. Pitching is so important in this game that often times, great players go relatively unnoticed because they don t play on a team with a dominant pitcher or because their coach doesn t report scores to media outlets other than their local newspaper or TV, radio stations.

 

When a great position player plays on a team with a dominate pitcher, the great player usually really shines and if she is sandwiched between a couple of other excellent hitters on her team, she will undoubtedly produce great numbers – unless she is playing against teams that refuse to just pitch around her.

 

There are still a few days left before I get the final list of players I think are worthy of the award to the guy in Boston. If you have a player that you think is the best player in the state of Wisconsin, send me as much information as you can about her and I ll pass the information along to the right place. I have done that for every kid whose coach took the time to promote her.

 

The other night I promised to take a look at all the D-2-3-4 regionals and comment on them. I will do that in this Bulletin tonight. The D-1 seeding meetings are tomorrow night so I will go over those regional pools in a later Bulletin. Keep in mind, these thoughts are just mine! I ll probably raise the hair on the backs of many people s necks but just keep in mind that it all makes for great reading and perhaps some great locker room postings.

Let s start with D-2 where there are some very, very excellent teams that could compete for even the D-1 title.

 

Division 2

Sectional #1 – Regional A – Rice Lake is the top seed. I think Rice Lake is one of the top D-2 teams in the state when they are on their game. They are well coached and compete hard. I know very little about Spooner the #2 seed see Rice Lake in the Sectional Tournament.

Sectional 1 – Regional B – New Richmond is rightfully the #1 seed in this regional and should easily advance to the sectional where they will have to get past Rice Lake in the semi-final.

Sectional 1 – Regional C – Altoona is the #1 seed and Black River Falls is the #2 seed. Those two are favored to meet in the regional final. I have watched both teams play (Poynette Jamboree). That game will be determined by whether or not BRF can keep Altoona off the scoreboard in the first couple of innings.

Sectional 1 – Regional D – Neillsville got the #1 seed, Medford is #2 and a club coming on late in the year is the #3 seed Mosinee. I m not even picking this regional. It s too close to call.

Sectional 2 – Regional A – My scouts tell me that Oconto Falls is the class of this regional. However, I think Marinette at the #4 seed could be a spoiler up there. So too could West DePere in the #3 seed.

Sectional 2 – Regional B – Adams-Friendship has really improved over the past couple of years and is the #2 seed. However, the #1 seed, Winneconne should roll through this regional. Their schedule has been very, very tough.

Sectional 2 – Regional C – Freedom is unbeaten and Little Chute is also a state tournament caliber team at the #2 seed. Those two just had a great game on Monday night. The regional final would be in Freedom. Give them a one-run advantage going in. That game will be determined by a crucial defensive play gone bad.

Sectional 2 – Regional D – Southern Door was rolling until last night when Algoma tipped their ship over in deep water. Denmark could surprise SD out of the #2 seed. Luxemburg-Casco playing error free could surprise the entire regional.

Sectional 3 – Regional A – Prairie du Chien is the #1 seed. I think anything could happen in this one. It s took unpredictable to even attempt to.

Sectional 3 – Regional B – Portage is the #1 seed. I ve sent them play and even sent Poynette into battle against them. Columbus is the #2 seed and we just played them in a twinbill last Friday. Sauk Prairie could be a sleeper in that regional at #4. I think Portage s offense will carry them but an upset in this regional is a real possibility.

Sectional 3 – Regional C – Monroe has been rolling this season. After being eliminated by Portage in the sectional final last year the Cheese has a shot at the sectional title. They must get past an improving Brodhead club and McFarland looms in the regional as well.

Sectional 3 – Regional D – The #1 and #2 seeds both get first round byes in this regional Fort Atkinson at #1 and Jefferson at #2 should meet in the regional final. I ll give the nod to Fort Atkinson.

Sectional 4 – Regional A – Waupun and Campbellsport have split their conference games this season with Campbellsport winning last night. I ll give the home field advantage to Waupun in a one-run, late inning rally.

Sectional 4 – Regional B – Kettle Moraine Lutheran has moved up to Division 2 after being in Division 3 since the WISAA schools were incorporated into the WIAA. They have been strong in their conference. Mayville, the #4 seed could be a thorn in the Chargers side though in the regional semi-final. Kewaskum at the #2 seed could also move on in that regional.

Sectional 4 – Regional C – This regional funnels through New Berlin Eisenhower. Enough said.

Sectional 4 – Regional D - # 1 Cudahy and #2 Whitnall will battle it out for this regional plaque.

My Division 2 state tourney field – Monroe, Freedom, Rice Lake, New Berlin Eisenhower



Division 3

Sectional 1 – Regional A – Grantsburg, the 2006 State champion and 2007 State Tourney Participant hasn t skipped a beat. They will advance to the sectional.

Sectional 1 – Regional B – Arcadia got the #1 seed and Spring Valley/Plum City is #2. I d like to be at that game. It s a toss-up!

Sectional 1 – Regional C – I know nothing about Chetek, the #2 seed but I know enough about Park Falls that I m predicting them to be at that sectional tournament on the strength of Kelsey Walasek s right arm.

Sectional 1 – Regional D – Regis and Fall Creek in the regional final. It s another toss up.

Sectional 2 – Regional A – Stratford has put things together and has the #1 seed. Pacelli is always a threat and is the #2 seed. If Pacelli plays like they did in their second Jamboree game in Poynette it will be an interesting regional final.

Sectional 2 – Regional B – It will be Wabeno/Laona and Crandon battling it out in the regional final. A misplayed ball here or there will determine this game.

Sectional 2 – Regional C – The #1 seed Amherst and the #2 seed Bonduel will get it on in Amherst. This one is too close to call.

Sectional 2 – Regional D – This is a strong regional and the sectional champion just might come from this regional. Algoma s win over Southern Door on Monday was a huge win for them. Roncali is a good club too. I look for Algoma to advance to the sectional and to the state tourney from this sectional.

Sectional 3 – Regional A- Luther, Brookwood and Aquinas are all fine clubs. Anything can happen in this one and probably will.

Sectional 3 – Regional B – Mineral Point s loss to Southwestern probably forced the Pointers to take a step back and evaluate. I m sure they will. This is an 8-team regional with the #2 seed, Lancaster lying in the weeds. Cuba City will have to put it together to get past Mineral Point and get to the regional final. The regional final here could produce a high number of runs so defense will really be at a premium.

Sectional 3 – Regional C – This is, by far, the most evenly matched regional in all of Division 3 and possibly in all divisions of play. That doesn t mean that the regional winner will be the team to beat at the sectional though. All seven of these teams could give other teams in the division, statewide fits on any given day. On other days, they might not look like it. Deerfield is the #1 seed and Waterloo the #2. Wisconsin Heights needs to rebound from a rough week and a half to get past Waterloo. Poynette and Cambridge played a 3-2 game early in the year. Poynette has one of the state s top hitters who has hit safely in all 20 games this season, has a batting average well over .500, a slugging percentage over 1.0 and is sandwiched between some good hitters. If the Indian pitching can hold off the other teams, this #4 seed could advance. If they get the ball up in the zone too high, there won t be enough offense to make a difference. Pardeeville has a fine pitcher and if she gets hot, look out for this #7 seed.

Sectional 3 – Regional D – Belleville, the #2 seed has really stepped up their program. They have some quality wins this year. Clinton, will have to be on top of their game in the regional final. Turner, just could be a factor in this one.

Sectional 4 – Regional A – Laconia appears to be the best bet in this regional Weyauwega-Fremont could pull the upset though.

Sectional 4 – Regional B – Oakfield will roll through this regional.

Sectional 4 – Regional C – I know little if nothing about Oostburg but I do know about Horicon and Luther Prep. Horicon at Horicon is a tough game in any year. Luther Prep can move the ball and if they get an umpire with a low strike zone, Lydia Free can consistently put it there. Horicon wins this one.

Sectional 4 – Regional D – I ve seen Thomas More first hand. They have an excellent pitcher but lack offensive punch. Shoreland Lutheran could bump off "More Softball" but I ll give the edge to Thomas more.

My prediction for Division 1 – Oakfield, Algoma, Luther and Arcadia will be in Madison. I won t predict the winners there.

Division 4

Sectional 1 – Regional A – Very little reported about any of these teams. Northwood is the #1 seed.

Sectional 1 – Regional B – Butternut/Glidden and Hurley will battle this one out. Devon Furtak just might be the difference in the circle and at the plate. Hurley is battle tested though.

Sectional 1 – Regional C – Chippewa Falls McDonell Central will cruise in this regional and to the sectional title.

Sectional 1 – Regional D – Gilman will prove again that some seeding meetings just done figure out accurately. They will be in the sectional and will be a thorn in everybody s side. If McDonell doesn t make it to the state tourney from this sectional, it will be Gilman.

Sectional 2 – Regional A – I have no clue how they wound up where they are but the Thorp people must be licking their chops. They ll be in Bay Port for the sectional.

Sectional 2 – Regional B – We haven t heard much from Wausaukee this spring but they are out there and will cruise in this regional before facing a stiff test at the sectional.

Sectional 2 – Regional C – Rosholt, Rosholt. Rosholt

Sectional 2 – Regional D – I ll go with Lourdes.

Sectional 3 – Regional A – CFC is the #1 seed but watch out for third seeded Pepin. The smallest school in the Dunn St. Croix has a tough schedule year in and year out.

Sectional 3 – Regional B – New Lisbon

Sectional 3 – Regional C – De Soto

Sectional 3 – Regional D – The top three and even the top 4 seeds in this regional make it the most balanced of all the Division 4 regionals. River Ridge, Potosi, Highland and Belmont are all good teams.

Sectional 4 – Regional A – Not even close, Assumption in five innings

Sectional 4 – Regional B – Randolph could surprise a #2 and #1 seed in this regional if they don t look out. Wayland gets an A+ though this season for their reports to me about their games. If every team reported like their coach does, the state of the game in this state would get a huge boost.

Sectional 4 – Regional C – Barneveld in this one

Sectional 4 – Regional D – Whew! Catholic Central and William s Bay. Two fine teams. Catholic Central can move the ball and are well coached. William s Bay is also well coached. If they are patient at the plate, they could nip CC.

My Division 4 State Tournament Field? Assumption, De Soto, Rosholt, Thorp

Whew! That took a while. It was fun taking a close look at the entire thing. There are some interesting votes at the seeding meetings aren t there?

I hope I haven t upset anyone, made anyone angry etc. It s all in good fun and should be a great topic for conversation. My name, after all is Bob, not The Great Swame!

 

First-Ever No-hitter!

Samantha Schuchardt of DeForest, a freshman tossed her first-ever varsity no-hitter last Saturday. I m proud of Samantha and would take her on my team in a heart-beat. I really like her younger sister Lydia too. Their mother is a Poynette graduate and their aunt was an excellent first sacker for us a few years back.

 

Did you see that UW-Whitewater is at the NCAA Division 3 National Tournament?

 

Have a great day!

Keep it Rising!

Bob