D2 State Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament field is out. Four teams in each division will vie for a gold ball. By Thursday, we'll have previews of what to watch for in each semifinal game and what to watch from each program at the state tournament. It's time for D2 as we work our way up to D1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">State Semifinal No. 1: No. 1 Edgewood vs. No. 4 Rice Lake</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pregame Notes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enrollment brought Edgewood slightly over the D3 threshold into D2. That means the Crusaders won't defend their D3 state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders are making their fourth trip to the state tournament and seeking their third gold ball in program history. Edgewood has most of its core back from last season and will be a difficult team to beat with the backcourt they roll out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rice Lake is making its first trip to the state tournament in program history after defeating Shawano in their Sectional Final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll see a contrast of styles between the guard play Edgewood can play and the size that Rice Lake will have on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Expect</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edgewood has dominated teams based on what their guards can do with the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='764918' first='Anna' last='Miller'] is the steadiest lead guard in the state, and she makes good decisions with the ball every time she gets the ball. Macy Faust has been a solid spot-shooter, [player_tooltip player_id='914305' first='Erin' last='Schauer'] has always stepped up against the best teams Edgewood plays, [player_tooltip player_id='914983' first='Beanie' last='Thompson'] makes every hustle play you can think of, and [player_tooltip player_id='995775' first='Maren' last='Schmotzer'] adds size and defensive versatility to the Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders will control the pace of the game and have the weapons to beat Rice Lake from the perimeter but watch the points in the paint for the Crusaders. That'll be our indicator of how competitive this game will be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rice Lake has a 6'1 scholarship-level post in [player_tooltip player_id='914910' first='Addison' last='Schmidt'] and a 6'3 wing who's considered an elite recruit nationally in [player_tooltip player_id='533077' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee']. Those two will be issues for Edgewood to handle. It won't be like last season when they could outrun Baldwin-Woodville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheplee and Schmidt have been outstanding in their last two games to get here, and players like Emily Kalina, Harper Schomer, and Sydney Schradle have all made plays when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect them to play through Sheplee on the perimeter and to throw the ball into Schmidt whenever possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The kryptonite for the Warriors this season has been turnovers, which Edgewood will look to force, but if the Warriors keep that number low, especially Sheplee, we could have a serious game here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">State Semifinal No. 2: No. 2 Wauwatosa East vs. No. 3 West De Pere</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pregame Notes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wauwatosa East is the only team back from last season's D2 State Tournament. Notre Dame and Pewaukee are in D1 for competitive balance, and West Salem fell in a Sectional Final to Edgewood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders are in their fourth state tournament in program history and seeking their second championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West De Pere had some tough luck with injuries to players like [player_tooltip player_id='329595' first='Ella' last='Francois'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448302' first='Mia' last='Racine'] the previous season but has had the tools to be here for a few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Phantoms, Bay Conference Champions, are in their second-ever state tournament, the first coming in 1978. West De Pere will be seeking its first championship in program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Expect</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guard-play in this game will be top-notch. A [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza']-[player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close']-[player_tooltip player_id='454966' first='Ellie' last='Deprey'] backcourt matches up well with a [player_tooltip player_id='448251' first='Faith' last='Walder']-[player_tooltip player_id='329595' first='Ella' last='Francois']-Maddisyn Berrgren backcourt. Litza and Walder are the primary creators, Close and Francois operate away from the ball, and Deprey and Berggren are the floor spacers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The frontcourt will be the deciding factor in this game, and on paper, Wauwatosa East has the edge. [player_tooltip player_id='766594' first='Audrey' last='Sellinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='528123' first='Makenzie' last='Hawk'] are a talented pair who play as connectors on both ends of the court. They're both versatile athletes who can defend multiple positions and make extra-effort plays on the offensive end. However, the 6'1 Stevens Point commit, [player_tooltip player_id='448302' first='Mia' last='Racine'], has the tools to excel around the rim and use her size to own the space around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders are a solid rebounding unit, but to be competitive, the Phantoms must limit players like Litza to one shot per possession. If the Phantoms can't control the glass, West De Pere will have an uphill battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->