D4 State Tournament: What to Watch For

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fields are set, and we know the State Semifinal matchups on Thursday and Friday, before we reach the final day of the season, Championship Saturday. We will take a look at the semifinal matchups in each of the five divisions leading up to 1:35 pm on Thursday, when we tip off at the Resch Center. We will start with D5 and work our way to D1 on Thursday Morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 1 Neillsville vs. No. 4 Lomira</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this game is competitive, Lomira will need its talented sophomore trio to make plays offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='992499' first='Josie' last='Christian'] is a talented guard who can score in bunches and give any defense headaches. She has been an efficent offensive threat in the Flyway Conference and is one of the more explosive scorers in the state. She may be the player who makes the difference for Lomira.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other two players to watch for the Lions are Lily Christian and Kennedy Goebel. Each of those two players is athletic and capable of attacking the basket and knocking down open looks from the perimeter. Each of those two players does an excellent job playing off their leading scorer and making winning plays away from the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is also a group that does a solid job of protecting the ball, but that will be tested against a talented defensive unit from Neillsville, who will play in their patented zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors have a talented and balanced group this season, led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1229361' first='Madi' last='Davel']. Davel is a quick and rangey guard who can score from all three levels and create off the dribble. Her ability to create will open up the offense for everyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neillsville also has plenty of talent around its program, and a name to know is a freshman forward, [player_tooltip player_id='1241386' first='Eden' last='Marg']. Marg has been an excellent forward alongside a 6'1 post in [player_tooltip player_id='1241182' first='Tessa' last='Warren']. Marg has been a reliable post scorer who can find ways to score around the basket, and she works hard to put herself in position to catch and score in the paint. That pairing of Warren and Marge provides plenty of options on each end of the floor with their length and athletic tools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big key to the game will be if Neillsville can impose its will early. They have controlled games agaisnt some of the top D4 programs in the state, and if they're comfortable, they'll be tough to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>No. 2 St. Mary Catholic vs. No. 3 Albany/Monticello</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The "Space Cowgirls" have some state tournament pedigree from their 2024 D5 State Championship team. They have also beaten a few talented D4 programs in sectionals in Pardeeville and Deerfield, who have more physical styles of play, and this game will be a little different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by [player_tooltip player_id='1092830' first='Heidi' last='Olson'], [player_tooltip player_id='595865' first='Molly' last='Olson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1308138' first='Emersen' last='Butts'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1648307' first='Annie' last='Olson'], Albany/Monticello will probably have to play a higher-temp game against an athletic Zephyrs team. I'm interested to see how they handle St. Mary Catholic's talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1092830' first='Heidi' last='Olson'] is the player who can score in bunches, and she has the confidence to take high-pressure shots when she's on the floor. I also like the grit that [player_tooltip player_id='595865' first='Molly' last='Olson'] brings to the floor, and we saw her put her body on the line to help her team win a state title in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The pairing of [player_tooltip player_id='1308138' first='Emersen' last='Butts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1648307' first='Annie' last='Olson'] will be a key for Albany/Monticello. They have been consistent perimeter shooters on low volume, but if they can knock down some perimeter shots, that could be significant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side, the name to know is [player_tooltip player_id='751240' first='Autumn' last='Crowe']. The junior wing is at the core of what the Zephyrs do on both ends of the court and will be an impactful player whether shots fall or not. Her effort and ability to generate extra-effort points will give her team a chance to compete in any game, and this version of her as the focal point of the Zephyrs is fun to watch for the neutral viewer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some other players could be difference makers, namely Gabby Guerrero. She showed another side of her game when I watched her lead her team on the road with multiple starters out and make massive shots to send that game into overtime. If the Zephyrs get themselves into a close game down the stretch, I wouldn't be stunned if Guerrero makes things happen off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is also a young group overall, and has players like [player_tooltip player_id='892088' first='Lucy' last='Norville'], Bitsy McCauley, and Luci Knackers, who have all been here before, understand the routine of a state tournament week, and will be back next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will end the Thursday slate of games, and should be one that will entertain the neutral observers in the Resch Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->