Other Storylines Heading into the 2024-25 Season

The AAU season is officially over after the US Open and Individual Pathway Program in South Carolina, so we'll slowly shift our attention to the High School season that tips off in November. Around this time last year, I highlighted some storylines for the 2023-24 season, and some ended up being intriguing things to follow along with, like Neenah's quest for the Resch Center, and others not so much. It's a new year, so let's open up August with some storylines for the 2024-25 Wisconsin Girls High School Basketball Season.   Can a Western Wisconsin program breakthrough in D1   Since Hudson made the state tournament in 2021, the programs out of the western part of the state found themselves in the middle of a talent explosion in the FVA. However, that era may have ended with the talent exodus from Appleton East, Neenah, and Hortoville over the last three years. Let's highlight the two programs that could end the FVA domination in sectional one.   Hudson   The Raiders made sectionals in 2022 and 2024 with two different rosters. Last season, they had an outside chance of making a run, but an early season knee injury to one of the most talented 2027s in the state hindered that possibility.   [player_tooltip player_id='751276' first='Olivia' last='LaBlanc'] and [player_tooltip player_id='814306' first='Devin' last='Larson'] flashed elite potential early in the season, and they played well against eventual state semifinalist Hartford. LaBlanc is a talented 6'0 wing who can score from all three levels and has confidence in her that most kids don't have. Larson is quick as a hiccup and a pest on the defensive end. She didn't force the issue on the offensive end last year because of the makeup of the kids on the team, but an increased role for her is likely.   [player_tooltip player_id='914300' first='Ella' last='Wolfe'] is the piece that could be a difference maker. The 6'0 forward is as fundamentally sound as anyone in Hudson's sectional. She's strong, doesn't turn the ball over, and makes the simple plays look easy. Her size and skill could frustrate one of the other top programs in the sectional.   There are two newcomers the Raiders will welcome by the names of Libby Bartz and Jada Mataczynski, who could play roles for the Raiders next season.   SPASH   A year ago, if someone had said the Panthers have the second-best player in their sectional, I'd have thought they were crazy, but not anymore.   [player_tooltip player_id='764935' first='Jada' last='Seubert'] quickly became one of the more sought-after prospects in the state after a sensational weekend in Louisville last month. Her ability to operate with and without the ball allows her teammates to slot into the roles that suit them best. I first saw her a year ago, not knowing she was recovering from a broken leg. She's as explosive as anyone in the state.   How will competitive balance change the landscape across all divisions?   From coaches I've talked to, people seem tepid on the new competitive balance legislation. After seeing the first field with the competitive balance plan, people's lack of optimism seemed to continue to fall.   From complaints about sectionals like Division One's second sectional, which spans from Pewaukee to Green Bay, people seemed less thrilled than when the legislation passed.   In the interest of being as neutral as possible, it is the first year that teams came up due to competitive balance, and others applied to fall to smaller school divisions. Whenever something new breaks the norm, people will resist. The one thing that competitive balance set out to do was increase the competition level at higher divisions, which, in turn, lowers the competition level at the smaller school level. I don't think people will disagree that it's done that in year one.     Will there be a surprise team in 2024-25?   Teams come from nowhere and make a run that people don't expect every season. So, let's discuss some teams who could surprise in each division.   Westosha Central   [player_tooltip player_id='888387' first='Lana' last='Mannetter'] will elevate the Falcons to the brink of state. Some pieces are in place already, like [player_tooltip player_id='888903' first='Cardin' last='Johnson'], who had a solid year in 2023-24. However, Mannetter will be the most talented kid in the Southern Lakes Conference and Sectional Four. Don't be shocked if they're in the conversation to go to Green Bay.   Rice Lake   Having talents like [player_tooltip player_id='914910' first='Addison' last='Schmidt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533077' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee'] at 6'2 and 6'3, respectively, gives them a size advantage over almost everyone. After losing Eli Sheplee, I don't think people will expect much from them, but they might surprise people in D2. Having Lucie Habas back in the backcourt may loom large in February.   Wisconsin Dells   [player_tooltip player_id='598735' first='Natalie' last='Backhaus'], [player_tooltip player_id='624964' first='Ashiya' last='Hopkins'], and [player_tooltip player_id='659763' first='Natalie' last='Field'] are as good of a trio as you'll find in the Chiefs sectional. Those three are all selfless and have an opportunity to make a deep run along with a possible run at an SCC title, with Westfield losing a talented senior group last year.   Argyle/Pecatonica   The D5 state semifinalists last season were elevated to D4 this season due to enrollment. I haven't seen much buzz about them to make a run, but the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='767257' first='Kylie' last='Butler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874373' first='Brooke' last='Wellnitz'] are dangerous. Their style isn't easy to prepare for, and the other top school in their sectional has injury questions in their backcourt.     Barneveld   Now that Argyle/Pecatonica is in D4, Barneveld has the inside track in their sectional. [player_tooltip player_id='533073' first='Izabel' last='Durst'] is arguably the best guard in D5 and can score at all three levels. They haven't been close to state the past few seasons, but they could make some noise this season.   Will we have our first undefeated season since Randolph's 31-0 2021-22 season?   Perfection is the goal for everyone, but few ever sniff that level of excellence. Even teams like Pewaukee, Notre Dame, and Laconia, the mainstays at the state tournament the last three seasons, and none of them have finished a season unbeaten.   Not only do you have to be a team capable of winning a state title, but you'd also have to go through what would likely be a tough non-conference season, paired with beating the teams that know you best within your conference.   Honestly, there may only be one team capable of completing an invincible season, and it may be Pewaukee.   Laconia is capable, but they have a late-season trip to Pewaukee to see the Pirates in a game just before the postseason they'd have to win.   Edgewood has some high-profile non-con games with teams like Cuba City, Arrowhead, Xavier, Aquinas, and Laconia, making a perfect season challenging. However, the chase for perfection is always worth the price of admission, especially in August.

The AAU season is officially over after the US Open and Individual Pathway Program in South Carolina, so we'll slowly shift our attention to the High School season that tips off in November.
Around this time last year, I highlighted some storylines for the 2023-24 season, and some ended up being intriguing things to follow along with, like Neenah's quest for the Resch Center, and others not so much.
It's a new year, so let's open up August with some storylines for the 2024-25 Wisconsin Girls High School Basketball Season.