Which Teams Have Been the Biggest Surprises?
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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. Catholic Memorial People in…
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Continue ReadingAfter 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.
Catholic Memorial
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. Jenna Welsch Jenna Welsch 5'10" | SF Catholic Memorial | 2025 State WI being 100% has been invaluable to them this season because she’s done a little of everything. Sophomore Sami Sarner Sami Sarner 5'8" | SG Catholic Memorial | 2026 State WI 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 Kelly Boinski Kelly Boinski 5'9" | SG Catholic Memorial | 2026 State WI , Hallie Koltz, Olivia Conway Olivia Conway 5'6" | PG Catholic Memorial | 2024 State WI , and Izzy McFee, but know this is deeper than in years past.
Brookfield East
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. Shae Kelley Shae Kelley 5'9" | PG Brookfield East | 2024 State WI and Maya Kovacic Maya Kovacic 5'8" | CG Brookfield East | 2026 State WI 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 Addison Doyle Addison Doyle 5'5" | CG Brookfield East | 2025 WI , Ava Burgher Ava Burgher 5'9" | SG Brookfield East | 2024 WI , and Adalyn Schoen Adalyn Schoen 5'11" | PF Brookfield East | 2026 WI 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.
Edgerton
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 Marti Rebman Marti Rebman 5'8" | CG Edgerton | 2026 State WI , Claudia Jenny, Jillian Scharlau, and Jenna Kahl Jenna Kahl 5'5" | PG Edgerton | 2026 WI . They play well as a unit, which makes them a challenging team to compete with every night.
New Berlin Eisenhower
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 Megan McDowell Megan McDowell 5'10" | SF New Berlin Eisenhower | 2025 State WI , 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.