D5 State Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <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. We're starting with D5 and working our way up to D1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">D5 State Semifinal No. 1: No. 1 Assumption vs. No. 4 Owen-Withee</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pregame Notes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption:</strong> The 2025 State Tournament will be the Royals' eighth trip in program history, and they'll be vying for their fourth gold ball. Assumption will play in the state tournament for the first time since 2022, and some players are still kicking around from that 2021-22 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sarah Shaw, Anna Schooley, and Addi Vollert have all played minutes at the Resch Center in the past, something no other player in the D5 field can say. The experience is on the Royals' side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other name to watch in this game will be Augustana commit [player_tooltip player_id='842260' first='Jordyn' last='Jaglinski']. Her ability to spot-up and find enough open space to get shots off with volume can put games away quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen-Withee: </strong>The Blackhawks are a storied program with success over multiple generations. Owen-Withee will play in their tenth state tournament in program history, the first since 2014, and looking for their first state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kendall Weiler is the name you'll hear the most at the Resch Center. She's the leader in most statistical categories. Her influence is noticeable in this group. They'll look to muck up the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Expect</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a contrast in styles and talent between these two programs, and the gap is wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all likelihood, this game is out of hand, and Assumption takes control and an early lead to put things away early. However, I'll play devil's advocate and assume it doesn't get out of hand early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen-Withee has been a team that wants to make games as uncomfortable as possible on both ends of the floor. Anytime you have a one-game playoff setting, you worry about a team catching fire. The Blackhawks offense is streaky, but there's enough there to possibly catch lightning in a bottle and be a team that makes Assumption sweat it out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">D5 State Semifinal No. 2: No. 2 Lourdes Academy vs. No. 3 Barneveld</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pregame Notes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lourdes Academy: </strong>The Knights are making their second trip to the state tournament, which came in 2012, and will be seeking their first state title in program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='448293' first='Hailee' last='Bauer'] has been a stalwart in the Knights in her four seasons. The three-time Trailways-East player of the year has had her best scoring season in her senior year. The Knights knocked off reigning D5 State Champions Albany/Monticello in their Sectional Final matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Barneveld: </strong>The Eagles are making their 12th appearance in program history and seeking their seventh state title. Barneveld head coach Jim Myers is the state leader in wins in Wisconsin state history and has coached multiple state title teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barneveld is a perennial state power among small schools and boasted plenty of success in arguably the best small-school conference in Wisconsin. They played two state tournament teams from the previous year twice and will be ready to compete on the most prominent stage in high school basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Expect</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guard play in this game should be solid for D5 programs. [player_tooltip player_id='533073' first='Izabel' last='Durst'] is among the most talented guards in the state. Her ability to create off the dribble will create open looks for herself and her teammates. However, [player_tooltip player_id='448293' first='Hailee' last='Bauer'] is playing some of the best basketball she's played in her four years at Lourdes, and Delaney Ruedinger is having a career year in her final season as a Knight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sneakily, the Knights have played a challenging schedule and only have losses against teams in higher divisions than D5. Against D5 programs, the Knights are undefeated as they roll into the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='533073' first='Izabel' last='Durst'] is an uber-talented kid who will try to control the tempo, as will Bauer. The guards will determine who earns an opportunity to play on Championship Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->