Groups Who've Exceeded Expectations

There are two things I want to discuss today. One is teams that have exceeded expectations in the 2023-24 season, and about some things people should expect when seedings come out this Sunday.   Oregon   The Panthers had a solid year last season, winning the Badger-West, a Regional Title, and were competitive everywhere they went. I don't think anyone expected their dominance in the Badger-Large this season. They're undefeated heading into the last week-plus of the season, are likely a two-seed in their sectional, and have proven they can play with some of the best teams in the Madison area. Most importantly, they all understand their roles and what to do to win games. [player_tooltip player_id='209909' first='Samantha' last='Schmitt'] is the straw that stirs the drink for the Panthers offensively, Delaney Nyenhuis adds size and length to their frontcourt, [player_tooltip player_id='767277' first='Olivia' last='Neis'] is an excellent perimeter defender, and they have kids like Teagan Shoenecker, Katelyn Studebaker, and others who step up on a game-to-game basis. They may not have an elite or all-state caliber player on their roster like most other top D1 programs, but they find a way to make it work.   Brookfield East   I thought the departures from the class of 2023 would be too much to overcome for the reigning state-runner-ups in D1. Annika Pluemer and Maddy McGath played prominent roles on both ends for that group, but Addie Doyle, [player_tooltip player_id='497476' first='Maya' last='Kovacic'], and [player_tooltip player_id='266987' first='Shae' last='Kelley'] have all stepped up when Brookfield East has needed them to for the most part this season. The Spartans are in a Sectional where nine teams could beat anyone on any given day, and the Spartans have been consistent, playing high-level defense and asserting their continued dominance in the Greater Metro Conference again this season. The Spartans' defense has proven it can take them to the highest levels in D1, so they're a group with experience, continuity, and talent to hang with anyone in D1.   Rice Lake   The Big Rivers has quietly had one of the best races for a conference title in the state this season between Eau Claire Memorial, Hudson, Menomonie, and Rice Lake. The Warriors will likely end up in fourth this season, but that's a significant improvement from where they were a year ago. The Warriors finished last season at 10-15, got bounced out at the Regional Final round, where they lucked into a home game as a six-seed, but as of writing, they're 16-5, finished the season sweep of Hudson in Rice Lake on Tuesday, and will likely see Menomonie in the Sectional Semifinals and match up with them for a third time this season. [player_tooltip player_id='533077' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342360' first='Eliana' last='Sheplee'] have been fantastic for the Warriors, using their athleticism to make plays on both ends. Lucie Habas has been a presence that the Warriors missed last season due to injury, and the insertion of a 6-1 newcomer, Isabelle Schmidt, has given the Warriors a source of easy points throughout a game when she gets her hands on the ball around the basket.    West De Pere   The worst-case scenario for West De Pere was too close for comfort last summer, as both of their star guards, [player_tooltip player_id='329595' first='Ella' last='Francois'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448251' first='Faith' last='Walder'], picked up injuries late in the AAU season and lost Francois for the season. However, Walder has been excellent this season in the absence of Francois and has done everything in her power to keep them competitive. She's likely leading her team in scoring and assists and doing it as the No. 1 kid on every other Bay Conference team's scouting report because they know how dangerous she is with the ball in her hands. Maddisyn Berggren and [player_tooltip player_id='448302' first='Mia' last='Racine'] have also played pivotal roles. Berggren is that secondary scorer and lethal shooter playing off Walder. Racine added size around the basket that the Phantoms haven't had in a while. All that to say, this team has a chance to make a run beyond the first weekend this season, possibly the second in 24-25, depending on how sectionals shape up.   Catholic Memorial   The Crusaders have shown how far a group of eight or nine above-average varsity kids can take a group. They can plug multiple players off their bench on the floor for extended minutes and not miss a beat. [player_tooltip player_id='520097' first='Hallie' last='Koltz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='509701' first='Jersey' last='Johnson'] can have 25 or more minutes and keep the flow of the Crusader offense, but they have so much balance within their first five. [player_tooltip player_id='337024' first='Olivia' last='Conway'] is an excellent shooter and does a solid job handling pressure on the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='842222' first='Sami' last='Sarner'] has proven to be a knockdown spot-up shooter. [player_tooltip player_id='533059' first='Kelly' last='Boinski'] has been a productive off-ball scorer and can play well within a structured team defense. [player_tooltip player_id='374232' first='Jenna' last='Welsch'] has exploded now that she's been mostly healthy for a significant chunk of the season. They even have a kid like Izzy McFee, who can rebound at a high level on both ends, finish around the rim, and set a tone physically for the opposing frontcourt.   Fall Creek   The inspiration for this piece is Fall Creek. The Crickets ended McDonell's reign of terror in the Cloverbelt-West, ending their lengthy conference winning streak. In that game, the Crickets showed a different side of themselves. [player_tooltip player_id='491719' first='Jasmin' last='Heuer'], a highly regarded sophomore, didn't dominate offensively against the Macks but took on a challenging defensive matchup, and everyone else chipped in to win that game and possibly earn a share of the conference title. Heuer has a chance to be an outstanding player at Fall Creek.

There are two things I want to discuss today. One is teams that have exceeded expectations in the 2023-24 season, and about some things people should expect when seedings come out this Sunday.