Small School Programs Exceeding Expectations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomorrow I'll have the Week Four polls posted, with a fresh look after a fun week of games, and results that will generate change at the top of a few divisions. Today, we'll look at a few teams that have exceeded expectations in the large and small-school divisions and discuss how they've been able to get to where they are heading into the holidays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Platteville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year of experience has done wonders for a Hillmen program that probably left something on the table in the postseason a year ago. Platteville has been among the top D3 programs in Southwest Wisconsin over the past few seasons, and this year feels like they've taken another step forward. [player_tooltip player_id='1219523' first='Avery' last='Richard'] is a versatile lead guard who can make plays off the dribble and use her size to exploit smaller guards who attempt to defend her. It also helps that [player_tooltip player_id='1228818' first='Rianna' last='Dye'], a 6'2 post player, is a double-double threat whenever she steps on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dominican</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights have a reliable cast of veteran players they know what they'll get from, and can help them win games. [player_tooltip player_id='533079' first='Brooklyn' last='Love'] has been a productive lead guard who can make things happen with the ball in her hands, and Laylah Bly has complemented her game well. [player_tooltip player_id='1039225' first='Angelina' last='Reyes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1224759' first='Kaelei' last='Agee'] have been physical players who can control the area around the basket and rebound the ball at a high level. However, Dominican also has a stable of youngsters in [player_tooltip player_id='877581' first='Jordyn' last='Woods'], Morgan Banks, and [player_tooltip player_id='1224779' first='Aubrey' last='Mlada'] who can provide a spark throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kohler</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Bombers had an excellent 2024-25 season, which led to a 7-1 start in the 25-26 season. Everything they do revolves around sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1134483' first='Gwenn' last='Elliott']. She has scored 28 points per game in the early portion of the season, and she can make things happen for herself and her teammates. Elliott is a talented ball handler and passer. She sees the floor well and can use her size to exploit mismatches or attack defenses in any number of ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Mary Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was fairly high on the Zephyrs heading into the season because of how productive I felt [player_tooltip player_id='751240' first='Autumn' last='Crowe'] could be in a more prominent role, which I feel has come to fruition. She has been an excellent rebounder and finished around the basket. She's been among the top rebounders in the state, and her defensive effort has been excellent. The Zephyrs have also had some productive games from [player_tooltip player_id='892088' first='Lucy' last='Norville'], whose size and length have allowed her to make effort plays on the weak side of the floor. They earned a significant conference win on their home floor against rivals, Manitowoc Lutheran, and now control the Big East-North Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->