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#1 Altoona (19-7) vs. #2 Prairie du Chien (21-5) @ 9:05 Friday - Altoona heads into this game for the third time in four years, but are hoping for a different outcome from the previous three trips where they have gone home after the first day of play.  Last season, the Lady Rails were sent packing by eventual state champ, New Berlin Eisenhower.  They handed Neillsville their only loss of the season in sectional semi final play by a final of 41-39.  They do a nice job defensively holding teams below their average and will need to do that again to prevail in this game.  Altoona averages around 46 points per game, but has no players listed 6-foot or taller on their roster, so height could prove to be an issue, especially in this game.  They are led by seniors, Kayla Springer (10.7 ppg) and Bethany Reyzar (10.3 ppg).  Springer, at 5-foot-11, will be a key matchup today as she tries to slow down PdC and the likes of Courtney Lewis (12.5 ppg).  The Blackhawks of Prairie du Chien average 49 points offensively and are led by 5-foot-9 Morgan Banasik.  Banasik's physical play causes problems and Altoona will have to protect them ball for them to be successful.  
Key to the game - Altoona will have to turn it up on defense as Prairie du Chien averages 49 points per game and Altoona has only scored more than 50 points three times this entire season.  Both teams have played tough schedules that will have adequately prepared them for this matchup.

MY PICK - Prairie du Chien over Altoona

#1 Kewaunee (23-2) vs. #1 Dominican (26-0) @ 10:45 am Friday - Both of these teams enter the state tournament for the first time.  Kewaunee has played some very good teams to get to this game, Mishicot, Brillion and Freedom since the regional final to earn the right to play Friday.  They average of 51 points per game and only give up 34 points per game.  They are led by junior Marissa Selner (10.9 ppg) and sophomore Kelsey Stangel (10.5 ppg).  Their starting lineup consists of three sophomores and two juniors so this is a young team.  The same rings true for Dominican, who typically only has six players get any consistent court time.  They are led by most notably junior duo Dilonna Johnson (16.2 ppg) and Deysha Smith-Jenkins (15.6 ppg).  Jenkins also grabs 7.8 rebounds and 5.1 steals per game.  Speaking of steals, Dominican's pesky defense nabs an average of 17 steals per game!  

Key to the game - Kewaunee is going to have to protect the ball and limit the number of touches Dominican gets on the offensive end of the court in hopes of containing the 58 points per game they Knights average.  Dominican on the flip side will want to keep the pressure on the Storm.

MY PICK - Dominican over Kewaunee