Cloverbelt-East 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…
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Continue ReadingWe 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.
Neillsville
Neillsville has had the POY in the Cloverbelt-East since 2020-21, and an Opelt has won all of them, with Paris taking the last two. Paris Opelt Paris Opelt 5'11" | SG Neillsville | 2024 State WI will stroll into her senior season, coming off a solid summer with Wisconsin Playmakers and a bit of a chip on her shoulder. After winning sectionals in 2021-22, they lost a heartbreaker to Colfax in the sectional final this past season. Opelt is a kid who can swing any game she’s in, and I expect her to be at her best in her final high school season. However, kids like Amelia Trunkel and Delaney Rochester graduated, and the Warriors do have some young talent coming through, like Sydney Subke and Jess Kuhn. It may not look pretty early, but with Opelt, Neilsville always has a chance in the conference and beyond.
Columbus Catholic
The Dons have plenty of questions to ask themselves this season, with some talented seniors graduating last spring, namely Jenna Kubbel and Hailey Zimmerman. After having kids who helped get Columbus Catholic to a runner-up finish, new kids must step up and take some of that burden. The one name that makes sense for that is sophomore Hailey Klumb. It’s impossible to know how well that will work for the Dons before the season starts, but that makes this time of year fun.
Gilman
Tatum Weir is a massive loss for the Pirates. Her 6-2 size, 22 points, and 15 rebounds are nearly impossible to replace one-for-one. However, there’s some talent that will help Gilman through this season. Most of the roster is back for Gilman. Danielle Mann, a second-team all-conference performer, and Claire, the Pirates assist leader, are all back for the Pirates this season as they look to challenge again.
Loyal
From second down in the Cloverbelt-East, those games tended to be competitive, which is why the Greyhounds knocked off Columbus Catholic near the end of the season. Like any team, there is some uncertainty, but they competed with anyone not named Neillsville in the conference. Loyal is a group that could get hot this season and surprise some teams in the Cloverbelt-East.
Colby
The Hornets are a group that lost first-team all-conference performer Hayden Willner to graduation. They were solidly a middle-of-the-pack team who competed in the Cloverbelt. The Hornets will only lose a few seniors, so they’ll still have some continuity.
Owen-Withee
It’s not often that a high school team can get a full roster back, but that’s the situation that the Blackhawks find themselves in. I always wonder how strong the power of continuity is, and I’ll be curious about what the Blackhawks’ record looks like at the end of this season.
Greenwood
After a season where Greenwood ended with a 5-20 record, they’ll continue to look to build with some of their young talents over the next few seasons.
Spencer
The Rockets are another group looking to improve this season. As long as they create an environment where kids enjoy themselves and get better, they’ll improve over time.
Granton
Granton didn’t have a season last year, and I hope they can field a team next year.
My Predictions
- Neillsville
- Gilman
- Loyal
- Columbus Catholic
- Owen-Withee
- Colby
- Greenwood
- Spencer
- Granton