Classic 8 Conference-Preview

We have quite a diverse set of conferences to extrapolate on today. First, we have the Classic 8, which produced three sectional teams, two sectional finalists, and a back-to-back D1 state champion. After that, we head west to preview the Cloverbelt-East, which had one Sectional participant last year, who also made the D4 State Tournament two years ago. Today should be fun.   Kettle Moraine   The Lasers group that will run out for their first game of the season will hardly resemble the group that carried the gold ball out of the Resch Center last season. There will be no Grace Grocholski or Braelyn Torres. There's also a new coaching staff and many of the pieces that played roles must do more to keep the Lasers around the top of the Classic 8. A few names to watch will be [player_tooltip player_id='602360' first='Keegan' last='Lodes'], [player_tooltip player_id='338955' first='Lola' last='Bond'], [player_tooltip player_id='767268' first='Emily' last='Gomez'], [player_tooltip player_id='618804' first='Maddie' last='Schopf'], and Claire Vosburg. To me, Lodes is the barometer of this iteration of the Lasers. Her length, versatility, athleticism, and experience playing on the biggest stages in Wisconsin high school basketball are irreplaceable. Gomez and Bond in the backcourt are two kids who've shown they can handle the pressure teams like Arrowhead and Muskego try to put on the ball. Schopf is a wing who's been as reliable as anyone when it comes to taking and making shots against some of the best teams in the state. Although Vosburg missed out on the State Title game a year ago due to an injury in the semifinals, she'll provide the size around the basket to battle for rebounds, dump-off passes around the basket and adds an option to defend other talented posts.   Waukesha West   It's wild that the Wolverines were a few baskets away from possibly winning the Classic 8 outright last season but had to settle for a runner-up finish with a 13-2 conference record. However, this group will probably have one of the, at worst, top-three kids in the conference in [player_tooltip player_id='602353' first='Jordan' last='Fenske'] this season, who had an incredibly successful sophomore campaign. Fenske proved to be one of the most consistent scoring options in the Classic 8, was the best shooter, in my opinion, rebounded the ball at an elite level for a guard, and handled the ball when the Wolverines faced pressure. I can't speak highly enough of what she did last season. The other four starters were seniors, but some kids could step in and make things happen. One name to watch will be [player_tooltip player_id='533083' first='Taylor' last='Gifford']. The 6-0 wing played a hustle role last season, which meant she mainly battled for rebounds, but she could surprise this season. Everyone who's worked with her as a coach or teammate raves about how well she can shoot the ball, which was a staple last season with Fenske, Annyka Hellendrung, and Caden Krohn. Another name who'll help in the backcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='766621' first='Abby' last='Finger']. Another kid who played some spot minutes in games but is a member of a talented 2026 [program_tooltip program_id='713045' first='Wisconsin' last='Lakers'] group that had an extraordinary showing in the US Open down in Memphis. I'm not sure where the trio of Fenske, Gifford, and Finger can lead this group, but the talent is there to keep the Wolverines competitive.   Arrowhead   Even though the Warhawks were extremley talented last year and had a senior leader like Bella Samz, I feel like the window for them to compete for a conference and state title would begin this season. The Warhawks will roll out, arguably, the best group of sophomores in the state. That group of sophomores has [player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow'], who earned first-team all-conference honors as a newcomer since Grace Grocholski did it in the 2019-20 season. However, the talent of the Warhawks is nowhere near complete. [player_tooltip player_id='533069' first='Presly' last='Samz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore'] will be two kids who'll contribute a significant amount on both ends of the court with their IQ and ability to play within an offense. Samz and Kussow will provide more scoring than the Warhawks will ever need, but if this team is to get to the heights they can reach, Gilmore is the key. As a first-year kid, Gilmore defends some of the best kids while coming off the bench. Her coaches believe in her, and she earned the right to guard kids like Grace Grocholski and nearly helped the Warhawks pull off a win against KM in Hartland last season. Yes, the Warhawks can score, but Gilmore's size and physicality could determine if this group wins a gold ball this season. I've talked about the sophomores so much that it's easy to forget kids like [player_tooltip player_id='444796' first='Erica' last='Bub'], Abby Robel, and [player_tooltip player_id='509719' first='Teresa' last='Kescenovitz'] can give the Warhawks valuable minutes. A final name to watch is newcomer Sidney Zehner. She's another kid who can handle the ball under pressure and create for herself and her teammates.    Oconomowoc   Eve Gricius was a first-team all-conference performer in her junior season. The 5-7 guard led her Raccoons to a fourth-place finish in the Classic 8 a year ago. Another name to keep tabs on is [player_tooltip player_id='521878' first='Noelle' last='Anthon']. The 6-2 forward had a solid summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713043' first='Wisconsin' last='Impact'] and got better all summer. I expect her to be among the best frontcourt players in the Classic 8 this season.   Muskego   The Warrior feeder team has been one that people have talked to me about all the time, but a significant portion of those kids didn't end up at Muskego. However, there is a crop of talent who could help Muskego rise in Classic 8 this season. [player_tooltip player_id='528116' first='Autumn' last='Dibb'] is the kid who could take this kid to new heights with her competitiveness, creativity, and physicality. She had some solid moments a year ago against teams like Arrowhead at home, but she could take a step this season. [player_tooltip player_id='528122' first='Melena' last='Glysch'] was another surprise this summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713043' first='Wisconsin' last='Impact'] and made a name for herself. [player_tooltip player_id='337019' first='Addy' last='Zacher'] is also back and brings poise and experience to the group.    Catholic Memorial   The Crusaders coped with the loss of Grace Lomen well. I thought [player_tooltip player_id='337024' first='Olivia' last='Conway'] was a help to this group by taking a lead guard role and handling ball pressure well. [player_tooltip player_id='374232' first='Jenna' last='Welsch'] returned and had a solid year after injuring her shoulder and knee. I believe she could take another step now that she's been healthy for a year. Now that the mess that was the 2nd half of the 2021-22 season is behind them, played a year with their new head coach, they could significantly improve this season.   Mukwonago   One of the most intriguing kids in the Classic 8 is [player_tooltip player_id='652141' first='Rachael' last='Chilicki']. She's arguably the best posy in the conference and hasn't gotten a significant role in Mukwonago's rotation. She's a 6-3 kid with solid hands and has a competitive streak that helps her win games within a game, like rebounding, beating her matchup up and down the floor, and playing physically. Mukwonago will be as good as Chilicki is this season.   Waukesha North/South   Now that Waukesha North and South are combining, hopefully, they'll be able to compete with teams in the conference. Their goal is to find ways to keep kids engaged while playing against some elite teams in the Classic 8.

We have quite a diverse set of conferences to extrapolate on today. First, we have the Classic 8, which produced three sectional teams, two sectional finalists, and a back-to-back D1 state champion. After that, we head west to preview the Cloverbelt-East, which had one Sectional participant last year, who also made the D4 State Tournament two years ago. Today should be fun.