The W.I.A.A. Girls State Basketball championship returns to the Resch Center this weekend. Play begins on Thursday with five state champions crowned on Saturday. Here’s the complete weekend schedule with notes on each of the five divisions.
Thursday, March 9
Division 3 Semifinals
1:35 PM #1 seed Waupun (21-7) vs #4 Milwaukee Academy of Science (22-3) 3:30 PM #2 West Salem (26-2) vs #3 Kewaskum (22-5).
Waupun is back to defend it’s 2022 title. They shared the East Central Conference title with Kewaskum, qualifying for state for the first time since 1982 after taking down number one ranked Freedom in their sectional final. The Milwaukee Academy of Science is making it’s third trip to state since 2017. West Salem is making it’s 4th appearance, the first since 1997 after winning the Coulee Conference title.
Division 4 Semifinals
6:35 PM #1 seed Aquinas (27-1) vs #4 Mishicot (21-6) 8:30 PM #2 Laconia (25-3) vs #3 Colfax (21-6).
Winners of three of the last five state titles will meet in the opening semifinal. Aquinas won back to back championships in 2018 and 2019 while Mishicot captured the title in 2021. The Indians finished second in Big East conference North Division to St. Mary Catholic but defeated the Zephyrs 56-55 in the Sectional Final. Laconia returns after losing the D4 title game a year ago and Colfax is back at state for the first time since 2013.
Friday, March 10
Division 5 Semifinals
9:05 AM #1 seed McDonnell Catholic (24-5) vs #4 Albany (28-0) 11:15 AM #2 Blair-Taylor (27-1) vs #3 Wabeno/Laona (21-7).
This is the third straight trip to state for McDonnell Catholic, hoping the third time is the charm after losing in the semifinals each of the past two seasons. They will face the only undefeated team among the five divisions in Albany. The Comets are making their first ever trip to state after running the table for the Six Rivers East Division Conference title. Blair-Taylor is also a first time participant at state after winning the Dairyland Conference title. They will face Wabeno/Laona making it’s inaugural appearance as a co-op program. Wabeno reached state in 1982. The Rebels shared the Northern Lakes conference title with Crandon.
Division 2 Semifinals
1:35 PM #1 seed Pewaukee (27-1) vs #4 Lakeland (22-6) 3:30 PM #2 Notre Dame (27-1) vs #3 McFarland (26-2).
The story line here is Notre Dame’s big to become the 6th team in state history to win three straight championships. The Tritons dominated the Fox River Classic Conference this year and have won 27 straight games. Their only loss was a season opening 68-67 decision to Pewaukee which is why they garnered the top overall seed. The Pirates lost to Notre Dame in last year’s title game. Lakeland is making it’s first trip to state in 30 years after capturing the Great Northern Conference title. McFarland returns to state for the first time since winning it all in 1999 and they feature one of state’s top players in Junior Teagan Mallegni who averages 24.3 points a game and led the Spartans in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Division 1 Semifinals
6:35 PM #1 seed Brookfield East (26-2) vs #4 Germantown (23-5) 8:30 PM #2 Hortonville vs #3 Kettle Moriane (26-1).
Brookfield East is back for a second consecutive year, making their 7th overall appearance after winning the Greater Metro Conference. Germantown won the title two years ago and will get another shot at their Greater Metro Conference rival. Hortonville made four straight appearances at the tournament as a Division 2 team ending in 2020. The Polar Bears finished second in the Vox Valley Association but defeated champion Neenah 71-54 in the sectional final behind a 41 point effort from Sophomore Rainey Welson. Kettle Moraine is the defending Division 1 champion and despite a Classic 8 Conference title and only one loss, received the number 3 seed.
Saturday, March 11
9:30 AM 3 Point Challenge
11:05 AM Division 5 Championship
1:30 PM Division 4 Championship
3:30 PM Division 3 Championship
6:35 PM Division 2 Championship
8:30 PM Division 1 Championship
