Taking Stock in Division 1 As We Near the End of the Season

The end of the season is approaching, so now is as good a time as any to take stock in all five divisions and look at which teams appear to be the favorites and who could be a dark horse to make a run in their respective divisions. That said, let's take a quick look at where things stand in each division. We'll start today with Division 1, and continue looking through Division 2 on Tuesday.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Favorites</h3>   Wauwatosa East   The Red Raiders have had one of the best offenses in recent memory. [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'] has been the most creative guard in the state this season and has generated open looks for shooters like [player_tooltip player_id='454966' first='Ellie' last='Deprey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close']. The Red Raiders have also had a productive frontcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='992492' first='Ellie' last='Pudelko'] and [player_tooltip player_id='766594' first='Audrey' last='Sellinger']. They will be the team to beat in the postseason.   Arrowhead   The Warhawks have the most individual talent in the state and may have five players who can play scholarship-level basketball when their college careers begin. [player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow'] has been one of the top players in the state since the start of her high school career. Outside of her, their other five main rotational players, [player_tooltip player_id='751284' first='Sidney' last='Zehner'], [player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore'], [player_tooltip player_id='533069' first='Presly' last='Samz'], [player_tooltip player_id='843757' first='Karina' last='Klemz'], and [player_tooltip player_id='764907' first='Ellyana' last='Petersen'], have all had impressive moments this season.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Contenders</h3>   Kimberly   After a few shaky moments earlier in the season, the Papermakers seem to have found their identity. Kimberly has plenty of length with players like [player_tooltip player_id='764903' first='Ava' last='Van Vonderen'], [player_tooltip player_id='764909' first='Haylie' last='Dulas'], and [player_tooltip player_id='624965' first='Claudia' last='Asman'] to help protect the basket. It also helps that the guards in [player_tooltip player_id='509695' first='Emily' last='Urban'] and [player_tooltip player_id='764927' first='Kennedy' last='Ebben'] are elite soccer kids who can move their feet defensively. The Papermakers are one of the elite defensive units in the state.   Waunakee   Few teams ride the wave like the Waunakee Warriors in good and bad ways. They have been streaky, but have shown that when they are at their best, they can put up points with some of the best teams in the Midwest. [player_tooltip player_id='751287' first='Tessa' last='Bryan'] is the heartbeat of the Warriors program, and pairing her with a player like [player_tooltip player_id='533066' first='Audrey' last='Meudt'] helps each player be the best version of themselves. They also have some size with [player_tooltip player_id='874384' first='Keira' last='Van Wie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='509699' first='Graycin' last='Phillips'], who can use their size around the basket to block shots. Ashlyn Bauer and [player_tooltip player_id='1216145' first='Nora' last='Meudt'] also add some versatility when they're on the floor.   Notre Dame   It will always be a challenge to bet against a Notre Dame program with its coaching staff and the success they've overseen. The talent is there, and they have the size that could overwhelm almost any team they may play. The trio of [player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop'], [player_tooltip player_id='842209' first='Aspen' last='Abel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='874383' first='Brianna' last='Breese'] is a physical group that can play with their back to the basket whenever they get mismatches. Those frontcourt players with skilled guards who can pass, cut, and shoot with [player_tooltip player_id='1275665' first='Destiny' last='Webster'], [player_tooltip player_id='874404' first='Ava' last='Cumicek'], and Maisie Hinze make this one of the most frustrating teams to defend.   Appleton East   The Patriots have been one of the more surprising teams in Division 1 this season. Although Appleton East lost a few games to Hortonville and Kimberly, they have the pieces to make a deep run this postseason. The trio of backcourt players, which includes [player_tooltip player_id='749048' first='Ella' last='Sweeney'], [player_tooltip player_id='904623' first='Emilia' last='MontMarquette'], and [player_tooltip player_id='992484' first='Ambria' last='Fischer'], complements each other's games well and can all score and create for one another.   Pewaukee   Nobody has had as bad an injury luck as the Pewaukee Pirates have had the last handful of seasons, and this one is no different. Now down two starters with [player_tooltip player_id='888382' first='Eva' last='Denzien'] and [player_tooltip player_id='766616' first='Maddie' last='Chabot'] sustaining injuries, things have gotten harder for the Pirates. However, they have one of the more talented defensive backcourts with [player_tooltip player_id='533084' first='Vanessa' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='536013' first='Giselle' last='Janowski'], whom they can rely on over the next month. However, they'll need some of their bench pieces to take another step to reach the heights I thought they could earlier this season.   SPASH   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Dark Horses</h3>   Hartford   On any given night, Hartford can compete with any team they line up against in the state. The [player_tooltip player_id='533085' first='Bella' last='Klages'], [player_tooltip player_id='751281' first='Rita' last='Kuepper'], and [player_tooltip player_id='751236' first='Alexis' last='Shelsta'] are a trio who can put points on the board in a hurry if defenses aren't careful. The Orioles have the weapons to give opposing defenses headaches, and they are allowed the freedom to create off the dribble. The biggest thing to watch with them will be how their role players play in high-profile games the rest of the season.   Neenah   The Rockets have some young talent who can swing games for them in [player_tooltip player_id='874401' first='Farrah' last='Danforth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='732637' first='Sydney' last='Michalkiewicz']. Neenah also has players they can trust, like [player_tooltip player_id='509694' first='Ellie' last='Buss'] and Celia Gentile, to excel at what they do best. However, significant defensive attention will be focused on senior [player_tooltip player_id='533065' first='Rowan' last='Klesmit']. Her ability to score and create off the dribble will draw significant defensive attention, which could open things up for the Rockets.   Brookfield East   The zone defense the Spartans play can be frustrating and challenging to break down. It also drains teams when they take their time offensively to try to get the best shot, regardless of how long it may take. They're a grind-it-out kind of team, and with the pressure of a one-game playoff scenario, opposing teams may not handle that well. [player_tooltip player_id='497476' first='Maya' last='Kovacic'] is a player who can get her team a basket in challenging situations. [player_tooltip player_id='747942' first='Josie' last='Piurkowski'] can space the floor well beyond the three-point line, and they have young players who have shown promise.

The end of the season is approaching, so now is as good a time as any to take stock in all five divisions and look at which teams appear to be the favorites and who could be a dark horse to make a run in their respective divisions. That said, let's take a quick look at where things stand in each division. We'll start today with Division 1, and continue looking through Division 2 on Tuesday.