Division 1 State Tournament: What to Watch For

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.   No. 1 Wauwatosa East at No. 4 Notre Dame   Some may not remember, but we have seen this matchup in a State Semifinal before. On March 8th, 2024, we saw the young nucleus of Wauwatosa East play against the Notre Dame Tritons with their 2024 class. That game didn't go well for the Red Raiders, but I'm sure everyone in their senior class remembers that game, so there is some history here.   That Red Raider group, even though they have plenty of the same players, is much different than the team that lined up that night against players like Gracie Grzesk, Trista Fayta, and Sydney Whitehouse. They have a core of experienced players who know their role and have become one of, if not the most efficient efficent offensive teams in Wisconsin.   [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'] is the one who has the keys to the Red Raider offense and has been, arguably, the most efficient player in Wisconsin this season. Litza has been the one making this offense run the way it's been rolling. Her ability to get to the hip of her defender, get into the paint, draw defenders, and make reads has been a recipe few teams have been able to withstand, let alone slow down. Any defense made to slow this team down will have to have a way to keep Litza away from where she wants to go with the ball.   The reason for that is not necessarily due to Litza; it's what Litza does for her teammates. Litza is dishing out nearly seven assists per game, and if teams want to help, [player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close'], [player_tooltip player_id='992492' first='Ellie' last='Pudelko'], and [player_tooltip player_id='454966' first='Ellie' last='Deprey'] are all shooting over 40% from beyond the three-point line this season. Even if you want to stay attached to those three, [player_tooltip player_id='766594' first='Audrey' last='Sellinger'] has been finishing at a high level around the basket, and can still space the floor as well. It is hard to keep them from putting the ball in the basket.   The Tritons, even though the faces are different, do a lot of things they've always done.   Offensively, the Tritons play methodically, working the ball around the perimeter and screening for their post players. Defending them isn't as much of a test of what players can do physically as it tests them mentally. Everyone on the Tritons can make small-window passes and do a solid job of not missing their cutters, and they have found ways to manufacture points based on what they do away from the ball and how well they move the ball.   It is more than a system, and allows individuals to make plays within their offense. On any given day, it could be [player_tooltip player_id='1275665' first='Destiny' last='Webster'], [player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop'], [player_tooltip player_id='842209' first='Aspen' last='Abel'], [player_tooltip player_id='874404' first='Ava' last='Cumicek'], [player_tooltip player_id='874383' first='Brianna' last='Breese'], or [player_tooltip player_id='874386' first='Maisie' last='Hinz']. That amount of talent is hard to compete with for anyone.   Webster and Abel will handle the ball for the most part, but Cumicek and Hinz will also handle it, which allows them to find matchups they like. However, their first option is always to utilize [player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop'], and even if she doesn't get a post touch, she will turn and work hard on the offensive glass.   They are a physical group who can defend, but will be tested against one of the most skilled players in the state [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'].   Each team is the opposite of the others in terms of style. The Red Raiders are a team that can get quick hitters every time down the floor, and the Tritons want to work the ball around offensively, and they've had their most struggles against programs that do what the other does. The Red Raiders have had their closest games against teams that want to slow games down, and the Tritons have had their losses and closest games against teams that can put up points in a hurry.   No. 2 Arrowhead vs. No. 3 Pewaukee   These two programs are about a 14-minute drive apart, and there is plenty of familiarity between the players on the floor from growing up around each other, grassroots basketball, and other reasons, I'm sure.   These two played each other in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, and split those games in their home-and-home series. This one will have a little more than bragging rights on the line.   Arrowhead won the last matchup and will be the home team on the scoreboard as the No. 2 seed, and they've earned it.   The Warhawks have Ms. Basketball candidate [player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow'] in their lineup, who has been one of the best scorers the state has ever produced, and will be the player who could swing this game on her own. Kussow is an athletic left-handed wing who can power her way to the rim, knock down perimeter jumpers, rebound, and make plays defensively. She's the real deal and has plenty of experience at the Resch Center.   The Warhawks also boast, arguably, the most talented starting unit in the state. Alongside Kussow, Arrowhead starts [player_tooltip player_id='533069' first='Presly' last='Samz'], [player_tooltip player_id='843757' first='Karina' last='Klemz'], [player_tooltip player_id='751284' first='Sidney' last='Zehner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore'].   Samz is a responsible lead guard who is a pass-first player at her core, but has been the most efficent player for the Warhawks this season. Klemz is their floor spacer they'll rely on to stretch the defense, knock down open looks, and use her length defensively. Zehner is a dynamic creator who can take some responsibility away from Kussow, and she can be an x-factor offensively. However, what [player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore'] brings may make the difference for this team. The Warhawks may never run a play for Gilmore, but her defensive ability, rebounding, and effort will earn her a handful of points per game, and you can feel how important she is for the Warhawks.   Pewaukee has had its struggles with injury luck over the past few seasons, and you'll be able to see that with all the knee braces on the floor. However, the Pirates have had players step up and reach the State Tournament after losing two starters from the start of the season.   Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='533084' first='Vanessa' last='Johnson'] has played her best basketball in her senior season and has been a player who has been as steady as anyone on the Pirates' roster. Her ability to get to the basket and defend on the perimeter has been vital.   Pewaukee's Ms. Basketball candidate, [player_tooltip player_id='536013' first='Giselle' last='Janowski'], spent a significant chunk of the season finding her sea legs offensively and has started to find her groove. However, it's easy to see the defensive impact she brings to the floor. She takes as much pride in her defense as anyone I've ever seen, and she gives opposing matchups on the perimeter. The defensive backcourt of Janowski and Johnson is maybe one of the best ones the state has seen in recent memory.   The Pirates also have a stable of players who play their roles well. Maggie Ratelis and [player_tooltip player_id='533086' first='Kylie' last='Pieper'] have been reliable veteran presences on both ends of the court, competing defensively and knocking down perimeter shots, especially Pieper.   In a world where the Pirates bring home a Gold Ball, expect one of the following players to play a significant role: [player_tooltip player_id='1361656' first='Peace' last='Petzold'], [player_tooltip player_id='764926' first='Kendall' last='Pieper'], or [player_tooltip player_id='533087' first='Aubree' last='Spitzner']. Those are all talented players who can make shots or add value on both ends at their best, which shows the depth in this program, while players like [player_tooltip player_id='888382' first='Eva' last='Denzien'] and [player_tooltip player_id='766616' first='Maddie' last='Chabot'] unfortunately have to sit out with knee injuries.   There isn't much that separates these teams, geographically, physically, or in many other ways. However, a sign of how this game will go is how Pewaukee chooses to defend Arrowhead on the perimeter, and the impact Johnson and Janowski have on the Warhawks' offensive threats. Pewaukee has an excellent defense, and they'll need it against a high-powered offensive unit.

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.