Intriguing Programs Heading into 2024-25

We've talked about players for a while, so let's get into some team-oriented stuff and talk about some intriguing programs from around the state. None of the teams I'll discuss won a Regional Title last season, so they all have something to prove.   SPASH   Last season, the Panthers had their first seasons with [player_tooltip player_id='764935' first='Jada' last='Seubert'] and Wisconsin High School Basketball legend Janel McCarville. It'd be fair to say the season started a little rocky, but that was also the purpose of the non-conference games they scheduled. They wanted to get pushed by some high-level programs.   Wins and losses feel like they always matter, but in high school, people want to be at their best to end the season, and the Panthers played their best basketball at the end of the season.   After a 12-1 finish to their regular season campaign after the new year, the Panthers' season ended heartbreakingly against a solid Eau Claire Memorial team, and they have a claim to say they got robbed by a call late, but those are the margins sometimes.   In year two of McCarville's tenure at SPASH and Seubert's sophomore season, we could see this team become one of the top teams in their sectional and try to grab a stranglehold on the Wisconsin Valley.   The only thing that gives me hesitation about everything working next season is the roster turnover. The Panthers lost a handful of seniors and will rely on multiple kids who didn't have massive roles last season.   I won't bet against a kid who's played as well as [player_tooltip player_id='764935' first='Jada' last='Seubert'] has in her grassroots season with [program_tooltip program_id='715882' first='Wisconsin' last='Flight Elite'].   West De Pere   The Phantoms have been among the most unlucky teams in the state over the last few years.   In their 2022 and 2023 regional title game appearances, West De Pere led and was tied with Fox Valley Lutheran heading into the second half and didn't play as well as they could to close those games out. This past season, they came out flat against a funky Watertown team that frustrated the Phantoms offense with their 1-3-1 zone.   It didn't help that contributors like [player_tooltip player_id='329595' first='Ella' last='Francois'], who missed the whole season, and [player_tooltip player_id='448302' first='Mia' last='Racine'] missed a significant chunk of the season with knee injuries.   At the end of the season, the Phantoms had different rotations than they probably wanted to head into the season, but unfortunately, that happens.   Looking towards this season, they get to put [player_tooltip player_id='448251' first='Faith' last='Walder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='329595' first='Ella' last='Francois'] in the backcourt together since their loss to FVL in the regional title game in February of 2023, which, as of November 2024, will be 21 months since that FVL game.   If you're someone who wants to see the glass half full, the absence of those kids led to the emergence of players like [player_tooltip player_id='448304' first='Madisyn' last='Berggren'] and [player_tooltip player_id='842266' first='Alexa' last='Rattray']. Berggren picked up a portion of the offensive firepower sitting on their bench with injuries, and Rattray made plays for others with the ball in her hands to take the pressure off [player_tooltip player_id='448251' first='Faith' last='Walder'].   I'm throwing out everything I thought I knew about this team and am eager to see what this senior latent group looks like. There is a core here that, on paper, looks like the favorite to get out of this sectional. For all they've been through injury-wise, they deserve to go out with a run to the Resch, but I can't wait to see how this group comes together this season.   Edgerton   Congratulations Edgerton! You don't have to see Edgewood again this season because enrollment sent them to D2, but sorry, because now you have back-to-back D4 champions Laconia on the other side of your sectional.   Jokes aside, this group is better than you think they are. The Crimson Tide have a talented backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='533071' first='Marti' last='Rebman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='914989' first='Claudia' last='Jenny'] back there, and they have athletic kids with size in their frontcourt like [player_tooltip player_id='624854' first='Gracee' last='Langer']. The main issue will be the loss of all-conference performer Nickie Shaw.   The Crimson Tide got some solid performances from their depth pieces last season from [player_tooltip player_id='887466' first='Jo' last='Schlag'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888404' first='Jenna' last='Kahl']. We'll have to wait and see to gauge how they handle a potentially increased role. However, they've each played in all Edgerton's games last season, so it's not a stretch to see that happening.   Last season, they ran into one of the most talented backcourts you'll find in Wisconsin at Edgewood, and shots didn't fall for Edgerton. They have the guards to handle pressure and can score it if they find space. I'm not saying it's likely they beat Laconia in a possible matchup, but it's nowhere near impossible.   Regis   In a power shift in D4S1, former McDonell coach Don Cooper moved from the Macks to Eau Claire Regis to coach the Ramblers. He'd been successful there, won a state title, and reached multiple state tournaments. However, the headliner will be [player_tooltip player_id='751257' first='EllaMay' last='Cooper'], also going to Regis.   A plethora of talent walked across the stage in 2024 and received their diplomas at Regis, so there'll be some new faces in their rotation, but the kids who return contributed to a 21-win team in D4 last season, and finished in third place, only behind McDonell and Fall Creek.   Regardless of what the rest of the rotation looks like, which probably has kids like Carly Borst, Izzy Reichart, and Cara Olson, Cooper is the kid who could elevate this program to heights it hasn't seen in years.   Pacelli   The Cardinals have the most talented core of youth as anyone in D5. [player_tooltip player_id='876098' first='Jaedyn' last='Zdroik'] burst onto the scene with a 33-point outburst against a talented St. Mary Catholic team on the road, but the talent doesn't stop there.   The Cardinals have their top four scorers back, including sophomore Madelyn Pionek, junior Ella Van Order, and senior Kaylin Yenter.   There is an immense amount of amount of experience and continuity with this team that you can't ignore.   The disappointment of dropping the regional title game on their home court against Athens last season adds to their motivation. I like that this group has beaten talented teams like St. Mary Catholic and Assumption. We'll see if they can get over the hump, but I like their chances in their sectional.

We've talked about players for a while, so let's get into some team-oriented stuff and talk about some intriguing programs from around the state. None of the teams I'll discuss won a Regional Title last season, so they all have something to prove.