Fox River Classic Conference Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a few days out of town, I'm excited to get back to talking about some conferences for the 23-24 basketball season. Among the FRCC and FVA, we have a state champion, a sectional champion, a sectional finalist, and multiple regional champions. We have plenty to talk about, and we'll start with the FRCC and end the day with the FVA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notre Dame</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning the last three state titles in D2 and doing it in as dominant of a fashion as possible, the Tritons return four of the five starters who won the Tritons the state title this past season. FRCC POY and Wisconsin Badger commit [player_tooltip player_id='209880' first='Gracie' last='Grzesk'] is back for her final year before heading to Madison. FRCC DPOY and Illinois State commit [player_tooltip player_id='209879' first='Trista' last='Fayta'] is back and hasn't lost a game in high school or AAU after returning from an injury that kept her out of the Tritons opener down in Pewaukee. [player_tooltip player_id='209882' first='Sydney' last='Whitehouse'], who recently committed to Northern Michigan, is also back. Those three seniors have three FRCC titles, are undefeated in FRCC games, have an 86-3 record at Notre Dame, three state titles, and have a year left. All that doesn't mention the other kids the Tritons have, like junior [player_tooltip player_id='338948' first='Peyton' last='Musial'], who's garnered plenty of next-level interest herself. [player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop'], whose value can't be understated, is also back. Other intriguing pieces could play roles for Notre Dame this upcoming season, like junior Morgan Gokey, who had a solid summer with [program_tooltip program_id='712778' first='Purple' last='Aces']. There are multiple options that this group will have, and I got a sneak peek at them when the Tritons went over to Summer Jam instead of playing at the scholastic live period in Appleton, where they dominated AAU programs with a few small-school prospects. It's hard to bet against the resume the Tritons have built.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De Pere</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning a sectional title in 2022, the 22-23 season was inevitably going to be a season with growing pains, made even more difficult by [player_tooltip player_id='209605' first='Claire' last='Bjorge']'s knee injury in July of 2022. The Red Birds went into the 22-23 season with no starters available from the 21-22 State Tournament group, no real rotation players from the sectional title-winning group, and no [player_tooltip player_id='209605' first='Claire' last='Bjorge'], a first-team all-conference performer in her sophomore season. I don't know how many people expected a 13-5 conference record from De Pere this season. However, the experience the Red Birds didn't have going into last season, they have in abundance heading into this season. For one, senior [player_tooltip player_id='209614' first='Sophie' last='Hafeman'] had an excellent season, averaging 14 points and eight rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='528121' first='Jaden' last='Ciesielczyk'] had a solid junior campaign. To make everything even sweeter, Minnesota-Duluth commit, [player_tooltip player_id='209605' first='Claire' last='Bjorge'] is healthy heading into her final season, and there's a case that she could be the best pure scorer in the FRCC this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sheboygan North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Golden Raiders had a competitive season a year ago, finishing third in the FRCC and possessing two all-conference performers in Anna Fogle, who led the FRCC in scoring, and Victoria Toeller. However, those two are not there anymore after their graduation. There are plenty of questions that need don't have answers yet. One is how they replace the 34 points per game that walked out the door. Sarah Shear and Bryn Adams will be significant factors for the Golden Raiders this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bay Port</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates have a returning all-conference first-teamer in [player_tooltip player_id='209881' first='Ellie' last='McDermid'], who recently committed Bradley. At her best, she can be among the most disruptive defenders in the state with her length and athleticism. Sophomore Payton Dudra is back this season and will likely take on a more prominent role in the Bay Port backcourt. One name you won't see this season due to injury but should keep in your memory bank is [player_tooltip player_id='736760' first='Melia' last='Lemorande']. I thought she was the best player playing their age level in 15u last summer, and every time I saw her, she was excellent. Unfortunately, she won't be on the floor this winter, but keep an eye on her in her junior and senior seasons in the FRCC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Green Bay Southwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Southwest was tricky out in the postseason and played a solid Menomonee Falls well. However, they did lose a few talented seniors, Taliah DeGroot and Margie Stevens. However, they have [player_tooltip player_id='329600' first='Addie' last='Pytleski'], Alex Siudzinski, and a healthy [player_tooltip player_id='266992' first='Chloey' last='Bynum'] all back for their senior seasons. Pytleski is a name that has been drawing the eyes of college coaches to close out the AAU season, and others, I'm sure, will keep tabs on her until she decides what she wants to do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Green Bay Preble</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets lost eight seniors and a talented junior who transferred elsewhere. Helena Paphlam, who led Preble in scoring, is back for her senior season, but the cast around her will look different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manitowoc Lincoln</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best aspect of Lincoln's program will be its continuity this season. The Ships only lost one senior and have the rest of their roster back for this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashwaubenon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars have a younger roster. Ashwaubenon only lost two seniors this offseason and will only lose three this coming offseason. Ginna Gurascio and Addy Phipps are the two to watch for the Jaguars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pulaski</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders will have experience with nine seniors on their roster and will be one of the oldest groups in the FRCC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sheboygan South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redwings will look to continue building their program from within and finding ways to develop their talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>My Predictions</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Notre Dame</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>De Pere</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Bay Port</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Green Bay Southwest</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Manitowoc Lincoln</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ashwaubenon</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sheboygan North</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Green Bay Preble</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pulaski</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sheboygan South</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->