D3 State Tournament Preview

<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 D3 as we work our way up to D1.</p>   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">State Semifinal No. 1: No. 1 Elk Mound vs. No. 4 Xavier</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pregame Notes</h2>   <p>The No. 1 seed may have surprised people with two heavyweights in the second D3 game on Thursday. However, the 26-1 Mounders have had an exceptional season.</p>   <p>Elk Mound is making their second-ever trip to the state tournament, and the first time came in 1988. The Mounders will seek their first win at the state tournament in program history.</p>   <p>The Mounders have dominated the Dunn-St. Croix Conference these past few seasons with experienced guards and wings. Future UW-La Crosse guard [player_tooltip player_id='448260' first='Ellie' last='Schiszik'] has taken a more creative role than she has in the past, which led to more success for the Mounders in the postseason. The Mounders have relied more on the Allies on their roster, Allie Robel and Allie Roder, who've each risen to the challenges set for them.</p>   <p>Xavier couldn't reclaim the Bay Conference crown this season, but people underestimated this group heading into the postseason.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='751258' first='Elle' last='Krull'], last season's State Semifinals hero, hasn't played in her sophomore season due to a knee injury last spring. The Hawks have also played a grueling non-conference schedule against teams like Edgewood, Lakeland, Laconia, and Catholic Memorial. However, [player_tooltip player_id='766628' first='Brynn' last='Krull'] being healthy again has made a significant difference for the Hawks.</p>   <p>The Hawks are making their fourth trip to the state tournament and are still looking for their first gold ball in program history after taking home a silver ball last season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Expect</h2>   <p>Whenever teams come down from the Eau Claire area, we see stingy and stubborn defensive teams that try to slow games down. However, Elk Mound isn't like that. The Mounders do a solid job of defending the ball. However, they want to get out and run in transition by forcing live ball turnovers. Allie Robel and Allie Roder are productive defenders who can get their hands in the passing lanes and force mistakes.</p>   <p>Xavier has plenty of depth but lacks electric lead guards who can punish defenses for being overaggressive higher up the floor, except for Hailey Hafner. However, their offensive approach is balanced, except for [player_tooltip player_id='766628' first='Brynn' last='Krull'].</p>   <p>After two seasons limited due to injuries, Krull essentially began her high school career as a junior and thrived. The junior recorded 29 points in the Hawks Sectional Final win and is playing some of her best basketball late in the season.</p>   <p>This game shouldn't be a blowout. It should be a competitive contest to open the state tournament. Xavier has had an up-and-down year on the offensive end of the floor, but if they can use their experience to start quickly and find their footing first, I like their chances to win.</p>   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">State Semifinal No. 2: No. 2 Oostvurg vs. No. 3 Laconia</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pregame Notes</h2>   <p>Oostburg's ten trips to the state tournament came from 1990-2012. The Lady Dutch had an excellent run those seasons and been on the cusp of making it back the previous two seasons.</p>   <p>Laconia, the reigning back-to-back D4 state champions, are in D3 after being elevated by the new competitive balance rules.</p>   <p>The Spartans have reached the state tournament four times since 2019 and will look for their third consecutive state title, the first in D3. The fifth state tournament for the Spartans will be the last for their legendary senior class, who've played at the Resch Center all four of their years at Laconia.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Expect</h2>   <p>Laconia and Oostburg locked horns to open their seasons back in November. However, things were slightly different then. [player_tooltip player_id='533061' first='Riley' last='Ketterhagen'] missed that game and the first month of the season with knee issues, and Oostburg's starting post, Taylor Brasser, also went down with an injury and won't play this weekend.</p>   <p>The Spartans and Lady Dutch have opened their seasons against each other for a while and have become a slight rivalry, even though they aren't in the same conference.</p>   <p>Laconia is talented and has a clear edge in depth, but [player_tooltip player_id='375953' first='Aubrey' last='Leonard'] is the player that makes the Spartans an elite unit. She will be the one who'll orchestrate the offense and make sure the ball flies around the floor. Whenever Leonard misses time, the rhythm of their offense is completely different, and the quality of possession goes down. If you want an X-factor, it's [player_tooltip player_id='375953' first='Aubrey' last='Leonard'].</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='342096' first='Tierney' last='Madigan'] and Finely Morgan have been excellent offensive threats all season. Madigan is a dynamic wing who'll attack off the dribble and handle the ball in pick and rolls, and Morgan will look to space the floor and attack aggressive closeouts.</p>   <p>The other two names to watch are Molly Duel and [player_tooltip player_id='877430' first='Eva' last='Engel']. Each has had massive moments at the Resch Center these past few seasons, and neither will be the name that first comes up on scouting reports. If either of those two steps up, Laconia's near impossible to beat.</p>   <p>On the Oostburg side, expect to hear the Kettergan name as much as anything else on Thursday. Twins [player_tooltip player_id='533060' first='Ady' last='Ketterhagen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533061' first='Riley' last='Ketterhagen'] have dealt with playoff disappointment these past few seasons but finally got over the hump. Newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='880796' first='Kinsley' last='Ketterhagen'] is among the top prospects in the state and may be the best tough-shot maker we've seen in some time. On top of those three, their dad, Isaiah Ketterhagen, is the head coach. If you watch on TV, stream, or in person, you'll hear the Ketterhagen name the entire game.</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 D3 as we work our way up to D1.