Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

2015-16 Recap: 

Mukwonago and Kettle Moraine shared the Classic Eight title, each going 12-2. Waukesha West went 11-3 to finish in third while Arrowhead finished fourth with a 9-5 record. Mukwonago finished the year at the Division 1 state runner-up, falling to Verona, 52-46, in the championship game. Arrowhead reached a sectional final, losing to Mukwonago 42-31. Waukesha West's season ended in a 53-44 loss to Pewaukee in a Division 2 regional final. Kettle Moraine was one and done in the tournament, dropping a 40-38 contest to De Pere in a D1 regional semi-final. 

2015-16 Season Information (Standings, Stats, All-Conference)

2016-17 Preview

Predicted Order of Finish:
1) Arrowhead 
2) Kettle Moraine
3) Mukwonago 
4) Muskego 
5) Waukesha West 
6) Catholic Memorial 
7) Waukesha South 
8) Waukesha North 

Players to Watch: 

Natalie Anderson, soph., Mukwonago -- Anderson will move into a more prominent role after scoring 4.5 points per game for the D1 state runner-up as a freshman. 

Sabrina Andringa, jr., Waukesha South -- Andringa received honorable mention all-Classic Eight after posting 8.4 points and 6 rebounds per game as a sophomore. 

Grace Beyer, soph., Mukwonago -- As just a freshman, Beyer received first team all-Classic Eight laurels after posting 9.9 points per contest. 

Calli Delsman, sr., Waukesha West --  Delsman, a Minot State recruit, was chosen first team all-conference after scoring 13 points per game with 31 three-pointers made as a junior. 

Grace Gilmore, sr., Arrowhead -- Gilmore, a Western Illinois recruit, was named second team all-Classic Eight after posting 8.6 points per game as a junior. 

Abby Guidinger, sr., Kettle Moraine -- Guidinger, a Minnesota Crookston recruit, was selected first team all-league after posting a team-high 10.4 points per game as a junior. 

Caitlyn Harper, jr., Arrowhead -- Harper should see her production increase this season after scoring 5.8 points per contest as a sophomore. 

Maddy Harrison, jr., Muskego -- Harrison was chosen as a first team all-league performer after averaging 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore. 

Hannah Kath, sr., Muskego -- Kath, a McKendree University recruit, earned second team all-Classic Eight after posting 9.5 points and 5 rebounds per game as a junior.  

Alyssa Pausha, sr., Kettle Moraine -- Averaging 8 points per game, Pausha received second team all-Classic Eight honors as a junior. 

Megan Peterson, jr., Arrowhead -- Averaging 8.5 points per game, Peterson earned honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore. She is committed to Grand Valley State. 

Erin Wright, sr., Catholic Memorial -- Wright earned honorable mention all-league after scoring 7.8 points per game as a junior for the Crusaders. 

2016-17 Team Previews: 

1) Arrowhead is the team to beat in the Classic Eight and are ranked No. 1 in the WisSports.net Preseason Top 10 in Division 1. The Warhawks won 10 of their final 13 games last season and reached a sectional final. Coach Rick Witte, who has guided the Warhawks to the state tournament in two of his first four years, told WSN that they have a lot of girls with big game experience coming back. "We will be really strong in the guard position with a ton of depth at this spot on our team," added coach Witte. Western Illinois recruit Grace Gilmore leads the way for the Warhawks and is poised to have a big year. Megan Peterson and Liz Erdmann (6.3 PPG) join Gilmore as returning starters while Caitlyn Harper will move into a larger role this season and provide the Warhawks with a post presence. Additional players who will play key roles include seniors Karina Smits, Karissa Hucke and Dominique Fortune. Arrowhead opens the season at home against WisSports.net Preseason No. 5 Oak Creek on November 19. 

2) Kettle Moraine captured a share of the Classic Eight title last season and will look to challenge for the title again this season. Coach Jack Hervert told WSN that experience, shooting and ability to defend multiple ways are strengths. Seven letterwinners return for the Laser, led by Minnesota Crookston recruit Abby Guidinger. Joining her as returning starters are fellow seniors Alyssa Pausha (8 PPG) and Grace Weber (7 PPG). The Lasers will also get strong play from Hannah Ohm (Sr., 7.9 PPG), Emma Vodenlich (Sr., 4.6 PPG) and Jessie Tischaefer (Jr., 5 PPG). Kettle Moraine opens the season ranked No. 9 in the WisSports.net Preseason Top 10 in Division 1. Their first meeting against preseason favorite Arrowhead is January 6. 

3) Mukwonago will compete for a spot near the top of the conference despite the graduation of four starters, including Bre Cera and Morgan Glatczak, from last year's team that won a share of the league title and finished as the Division 1 state runner-up. Coach Rick Kolinske, 63-16 record in three years as head coach, told WisSports.net that will be strong at the guard position. Grace Beyer leads the way for the Indians after finishing third on the team in scoring as a freshman. Fellow sophomore Natalie Anderson should see her production increase after playing in a supporting role as a freshman. The Indians will have a very young roster with just one senior on their roster in Nikki Huber who will be asked to provide leadership. Mukwonago will get an immediate impact from freshman Angie Cera (5'9", offer from UW-Milwaukee) and Dru Henning (5'10"). Mukwonago opens Classic Eight play at home against Kettle Moraine on December 6. 

4) Muskego could make a big jump in the standings this season after going 3-11 in the league last season. "Have a lot of returning players with 95 percent of our scoring from last season returning," coach Brian Hirtz said. He also noted that athleticism is a strength. Four starters return for the Warriors, led by Maddy Harrison and McKendree University recruit Hannah Kath. Also returning as starters are Andrea Mlachnik (Sr., 3 PPG, 3 APG) and Leah Bolskar (Sr., 3.3 PPG). Additional players who will play key roles include Kenni Czarnecki (Soph.), Kenzie Balcerak (Soph.) and Kate Brandstatter (Jr.). Muskego will also get production from freshman Savannah Balcerak. The Warriors play three non-conference games before opening Classic Eight play at Arrowhead on December 6. 

5) Waukesha West might take a step back this season after finishing in third place a year ago. The Wolverines will need to fill the void left with the graduation of three starters, including Dani Rhodes who was chosen co-Player of the Year in the Classic Eight last season. "Strengths will be our chemistry and tradition along with skilled wings on the perimeter," coach Mark Busalacchi told WSN. He added they have small but talented posts. Coach Busalacchi noted that consistent shooting, along with lack of size and depth are weaknesses. The Wolverines will build around Minot State recruit Calli Delsman who finished second on the team in scoring last season. Fellow senior Megan Weise (6 PPG, 7 RPG) joins Delsman as a returning starter. Senior Clara Jelacic and junior Lauren Schultz also return as contributors while sophomores Kaylee Keller and Darragh Dixon are among others that make the jump to varsity this season. 

6) Catholic Memorial welcomes back seven letterwinners from last year's team that went 5-9 in the Classic Eight. Coach Therese Dejewski told WSN that athleticism and toughness are strengths. "We have great seniors let by Erin Wright, and several juniors that played valuable minutes in big games last season." Coach Dejewski went on to say that they graduated some height, making them shorter than most of their opponents. Along with Wright, Katie Evans (Jr., 8 PPG), Kathleen Hirsch (Jr.) and Catherine Levendoski (Sr.) return as key players. 

7) Waukesha South will need to replace three starters, including leading scorer Emily Schumacher, from their 2015-16 squad that went 4-10 in the Classic Eight. Coach Paul Darling told WisSports.net that team speed and improved depth are strengths while they are have inexperienced guard play. Returning to the starting lineup for the Blackshirts are juniors Sabrina Andringa (8.4 PPG) and Emma Kelliher (7.6 PPG). Seniors Maggie Johnson, Bailey Rassmussen and Kierin Barnett are returners that will move into larger roles this season for the Blackshirts. 

8) Waukesha North went 0-23 last season. The good news for the Northstars is that they welcome back their entire squad that gained a lot of experience in the tough Classic Eight. Former Waukesha West varsity assistant Bob Whiteford takes over as head coach at Waukesha North. He told WSN that they have good size/height in their sophomore class. "Our program numbers will be down again this year so our depth is a weakness," added coach Whiteford. He went on to say that they also have a very young squad with only one senior and three juniors in the program. Camryn Szolyga (Sr., 5.5 PPG) and Megan Johnson (Jr., 5.3 PPG) were the Northstars' top scorers last season.