Storylines for the Upcoming 23-24 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every season, in any sport, some storylines are fun to follow. Today, we're looking at different storylines to watch in the 23-24 season. Some will vary from conferences. Others are around a gold ball. Regardless, I'll give you reasons to follow programs, games, and leagues around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Neenah's Quest for a Trip to the Resch Center</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether anyone likes it or not, the Rockets are in the toughest sectional in the state and have been agonizingly close to winning a sectional title. I've already seen some taking other programs to win the sectional. However, one of the best talents in the history of this state will head into her senior season before heading off to Uconn, [player_tooltip player_id='189502' first='Allie' last='Ziebell']. The U19 gold medal winner is one of the most efficient high-volume scorers around and will have some help this season. [player_tooltip player_id='533065' first='Rowan' last='Klesmit'] will return for her sophomore season and will be an excellent option to initiate and create offense. Klesmit's fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='509694' first='Ellie' last='Buss'] is also an excellent shooter and will provide plenty of space for her fellow Rockets to operate. The returning senior post player [player_tooltip player_id='444784' first='Amaya' last='Jones'] will also play a significant role by rebounding and being physical. If you don't think that she's one of the biggest x-factors in D1, rewatch the Sectional-Semifinal in 2022 when the Rockets upset No. 1 Hortonville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Laconia's State Title Defence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing what they started in the 2022 state tournament, the Spartans are coming into this season with the target firmly on them. They've built such a unit in Rosendale that everyone in the state at every level looks to create an environment that the Spartans have. They share the ball, defend as a unit, punish team mistakes, and can run the floor with anyone at the D4 level. Most teams never have a season with kids like [player_tooltip player_id='448258' first='Payton' last='Morgan'], [player_tooltip player_id='375953' first='Aubrey' last='Leonard'], [player_tooltip player_id='342096' first='Tierney' last='Madigan'], Molly Duel, and [player_tooltip player_id='877430' first='Eva' last='Engel'], but Laconia brought all of them in at once. Although the 2025s are talented, rising senior Callista Vande Berg brings a presence in the paint and keeps an eye out for newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='764914' first='Finley' last='Morgan'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waupun's Run For Another Title</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's no secret that the Warriors feel that they left a lot on the table last season in the East Central Conference, earning a share of the title and coming up short in the State Semifinals against Milwaukee Academy of Science. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='209618' first='Gracie' last='Gopalan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='209617' first='Kayl' last='Petersen'] are one of the most dynamic duos in the state, and add in St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='374233' first='Lydia' last='Aalsma'] this team could rebound in a big way. The Warriors have a group who've tasted what it's like to succeed at the highest level in D3, and for Gopalan and Petersen, they'll want nothing other than a conference and state title before heading off to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kimberly's Youth Movement</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's natural in high school and college sports, but everyone wants to know who newcomers will be and find the next big thing. If you're looking for a youthful team to upset the status quo of the previous few years in the FVA and D1, look no further than Kimberly. The Papermakers will roll out established talent in [player_tooltip player_id='448243' first='Katelyn' last='McGinnis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448245' first='Raegan' last='Krueger'], among others. However, the newcomers have an opportunity to take this group from a team who could make the top teams in the FVA sweat occasionally and make a run to the second weekend of the state tournament to a legitimate state title contender. [player_tooltip player_id='764909' first='Haylie' last='Dulas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='764903' first='Ava' last='Van Vonderen'] are wings who can utilize their length to get on the floor defensively, and Synergy Sports' data showed Dulas' absurd efficiency playing up at the 15U level in the EYBL where she scored an outrageous 1.11 points per possession to lead the EYBL. Even [player_tooltip player_id='764927' first='Kennedy' last='Ebben'] will be someone who could earn a role because of how well she takes care of the ball. If you can't tell, I can't wait to watch this Papermaker group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->