State of WIAA D3 Basketball: 30 Days in
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We’re about 30 days into the regular season, and it’s time we take a day and dissect the state of the D1-D2 and D3-D5 heading into the holidays. We’ll highlight some standouts, surprises, significant games, and things to watch as…
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Continue ReadingWe’re about 30 days into the regular season, and it’s time we take a day and dissect the state of the D1-D2 and D3-D5 heading into the holidays. We’ll highlight some standouts, surprises, significant games, and things to watch as we head into the holiday season. We’re starting with large schools today and closing with small schools tomorrow and Saturday.
Standout Performers
Looking around the state in D3, you’ll find kids who’ve been dominant.
Ameerah Grant Ameerah Grant 5'5" | PG Brown Deer | 2025 State WI has been one of the most dynamic guards who hasn’t been in the spotlight at Brown Deer, but she can play at a high level. She made perimeter shots and beat her defender off the dribble routinely as a sophomore and has been an elite volume scorer in her first two seasons, and things haven’t changed this season.
Norriah Broomfield Norriah Broomfield 5'11" | PF Milwaukee School of Languages | 2024 State WI is another kid who hasn’t been in the spotlight of high-level team basketball these past two years at Milwaukee School of Languages, but she’s been effective. She’s a physical 6-1 post who can finish through traffic. Broomfield should get plenty of touches at MSL, and she’s good enough to score at any time in the paint.
Samantha Davis Samantha Davis 5'10" | SF Aquinas | 2026 State WI has had an intriguing season. She’s a 5-10 wing who plays around the basket. She doesn’t take many three-pointers but is scoring efficiently.
Checking in at the Top
There are four teams in the top tier of D3, with one more looking to break into that group, in my opinion.
Waupun still looks like the team to beat in D3, even with the loss at Verona. There are few teams with a trio at the level of Kayl Petersen Kayl Petersen 6'1" | PF Waupun | 2024 State WI – Gracie Gopalan Gracie Gopalan 5'4" | PG Waupun | 2024 State WI – Lydia Aalsma Lydia Aalsma 5'10" | SG Waupun | 2025 State WI . Those three also fit well together, built chemistry over the last three years, and are motivated from this past season’s loss to MAS.
The only team that can play in a shootout with Waupun is Oostburg. The Dutch have two kids who can initiate and create offense for themselves. Due to that, Riley Ketterhagen Riley Ketterhagen 5'10" | CG Oostburg | 2026 State WI and Ady Ketterhagen Ady Ketterhagen 5'9" | PG Oostburg | 2026 State WI are more crucial than I can put into words. What makes this team as lethal as they are is the development of Brynn Wisse and Jenna Soren as 5-10 wing/post hybrids who can win the Dutch rebounding battles every night.
Kettle Moraine Lutheran is one of the most infuriating teams to play against. The Chargers usually don’t have size, but all their players are scrappy and take away airspace well. Makenzie Luehring Makenzie Luehring 5'6" | PG Kettle Moraine Lutheran | 2025 State WI and Madeline Leffel Madeline Leffel 5'10" | SF Kettle Moraine Lutheran | 2025 State WI have put together stellar seasons, and having Taylor Schwalenberg Taylor Schwalenberg 5'6" | PG Kettle Moraine Lutheran | 2024 State WI back has given them a lift.
There’s an argument that Edgewood has the most creative backcourt in D3 with Anna Miller Anna Miller 5'8" | PG Edgewood | 2027 State WI , Taya Fernandez Taya Fernandez 5'6" | CG Edgewood (Madison) | 2024 State WI , Zhana Gnewuch, and Beanie Thompson. All those kids can make things happen off the bounce and put pressure on defenses. Guard play wins games in March, and the Crusaders have it.
Who’s Been the Biggest Surprise?
The real surprise of D3 has been Catholic Memorial. They’ve had a turbulent few years but have stability within the program and some talent that’s grown together over the last two years. They have seven kids that they can play and get good minutes out of every game. They have kids who can shoot it, like Olivia Conway Olivia Conway 5'6" | PG Catholic Memorial | 2024 State WI , Sami Sarner Sami Sarner 5'8" | SG Catholic Memorial | 2026 State WI , Kelly Boinski Kelly Boinski 5'9" | SG Catholic Memorial | 2026 State WI , and Hallie Koltz. However, they also have some physical presence who can score around the rim in Jenna Welsch Jenna Welsch 5'10" | SF Catholic Memorial | 2025 State WI and Izzy McFee. They have a few solid Classic Eight wins thus far and have a chance to make some statement wins in their conference.