Which Teams Have Been the Biggest Surprises?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After recapping my weekend yesterday, I want to continue reflecting by highlighting some surprises. To start, we'll talk about some teams that have been better than expected. Afterward, we'll discuss players to close the day out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Catholic Memorial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>People in the Classic Eight told me going into the season that the Crusaders would be better this season, and I brushed it off more than I should have. Granted, I'll generously classify them as winnable games. However, beating a talented Muskego team is the reason for optimism. [player_tooltip player_id='374232' first='Jenna' last='Welsch'] being 100% has been invaluable to them this season because she's done a little of everything. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='842222' first='Sami' last='Sarner'] has also stepped into a prominent role shooting from the three-point line, where she's making them at a 41% clip. They're receiving contributions from more kids like [player_tooltip player_id='533059' first='Kelly' last='Boinski'], [player_tooltip player_id='520097' first='Hallie' last='Koltz'], [player_tooltip player_id='337024' first='Olivia' last='Conway'], and Izzy McFee, but know this is deeper than in years past.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brookfield East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I believed the GMC was up for grabs this season because Brookfield lost Maddy McGath and program all-time leading scorer Annika Pluemer. It's still early, but the Spartans going to Menomonee Falls and controlling the game says a lot about their ability to win the conference again. [player_tooltip player_id='266987' first='Shae' last='Kelley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='497476' first='Maya' last='Kovacic'] have been the only two consistent forms of offense early, which still scares me, but they've made it work thus far. Their calling card has always been their defense, which kids like [player_tooltip player_id='448299' first='Addison' last='Doyle'], [player_tooltip player_id='209610' first='Ava' last='Burgher'], and [player_tooltip player_id='888438' first='Adalyn' last='Schoen'] can all add to that, but ideally, they need a third kid who can score it. However, even though they dropped games to Kimberly and Pewaukee, the defenses knowing who'd be hurting them and the Spartans competing in those games, with a high chance of winning, is a massive plus for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edgerton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crimson Tide has had some of their program's best players leave the past few years, but they keep finding ways to win. They've had multiple kids have massive games to lead them to wins early in the season, and due to that, they're as dangerous as anyone in D3. They have guards who can run, shoot, pass, and have a good feel for the game, like [player_tooltip player_id='533071' first='Marti' last='Rebman'], [player_tooltip player_id='914989' first='Claudia' last='Jenny'], Jillian Scharlau, and [player_tooltip player_id='888404' first='Jenna' last='Kahl']. They play well as a unit, which makes them a challenging team to compete with every night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Berlin Eisenhower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions have proven to be one of the most stubborn defenses in the area this season. They've got some outstanding defensive performances from [player_tooltip player_id='448297' first='Megan' last='McDowell'], who's become one of the best defensive game wreckers in the state. She's an athletic 5-10 wing who's quick enough to stick with guards and has the length to disrupt post players around the basket. I loved what she's done on that end of the floor. That group is also scrappy and has found ways to put points on the board even when their offensive rhythm has been clunky.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->