State Tournament Day 1 Recap

<h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Division 3</span></h2> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Waupun 47, Dominican 29</span></h2> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Waupun</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Warriors did what I expected in their semifinal tilt with Dominican. They did an excellent job of starting quickly and getting this one over as soon as possible. The first half was all [player_tooltip player_id="209617" first="Kayl" last="Petersen"] as she scored 16 of her 22 points in the first half. The sophomore scored early and often in this game. Petersen also changed a countless amount of shots at the rim. The other standout for Waupun was freshman [player_tooltip player_id="374233" first="Lydia" last="Aalsma"]. The youngest Aalsma may not have scored 20 points tonight, but she was active on the defensive glass. Aalsma ended the game with ten rebounds to lead Waupun.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Dominican</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I didn’t expect much from Dominican yesterday afternoon, but they had their moments against top-seeded Waupun. The standout for the Knights was forward [player_tooltip player_id="156091" first="Alicia" last="Burgos Schroeder"]. The Knight finished the game with a double-double (15 points and ten rebounds) and showed her ability to get into good positions and make tough catches in traffic. [player_tooltip player_id="209603" first="Keona" last="McGee"] didn’t have her best day offensively, but she did an excellent job passing her teammates into easy looks. </span> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Freedom 66, St. Croix Falls 36</span></h2> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Freedom</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Irish started their semifinal matchup on fire scoring 14 points in what felt like a minute. Freedom knocked down half of their 18 3-point attempts, most of which came in the first half. I had never seen [player_tooltip player_id="342100" first="Sadie" last="Jarmolowicz"] in person, and I had already adored her as a prospect. She didn’t disappoint today. The 5-foot-10 guard scored 22 points and dished seven assists with only one turnover. She shot 9 for 13 from the field and three for five from behind the 3-point line. I will continue to tell anyone who will listen that Jarmolowicz is one of the best players in Wisconsin. [player_tooltip player_id="206732" first="Kierstin" last="Kriewaldt"] was also everywhere tonight. The 6-foot wing recorded a double-double (12 points and 11 rebounds), with five of those rebounds coming on the offensive end. </span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">St. Croix Falls</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Regardless of the score, this Saints team accomplished something no other team has in school history, get to a state tournament. This game changed when [player_tooltip player_id="342357" first="Kelsey" last="Cooper"] picked up her second foul in the first half. Before she picked up that second foul, Cooper looked like the most dominant player on the floor for a stretch. The sophomore grabbed every available rebound and created extra possessions to help her team recover from a 16-4 deficit. They got as close as 24-19. [player_tooltip player_id="342104" first="Brianna" last="McCurdy"] also looked like she belonged on that floor with the likes of Jarmolowicz. She was handling the pressure that the Irish threw at her with ease. I wouldn’t be surprised to see McCurdy and Cooper make a run back to Green Bay next year.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">STATE TITLE PREVIEW: Waupun vs. Freedom</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">All season long, these were two of the three best teams in Division 3. In this game, the turnover battle is going to be crucial. I already highlighted that Jarmolowicz hardly ever turns the ball over, and Waupun would probably like to see the 15 turnovers today fall a little bit. The other thing to watch is who Freedom asks to defend [player_tooltip player_id="209617" first="Kayl" last="Petersen"]. The Warrior was unguardable today against Dominican. That’s a question that’s bigger than just Petersen. For instance, how important is it to keep [player_tooltip player_id="209618" first="Gracie" last="Gopalan"] out of rhythm, or is denying the ball from [player_tooltip player_id="155422" first="Abbie" last="Aalsma"] more important to Freedom? Waupun poses so many questions a defense has to answer. That said, so does Freedom. That’s what makes this state title game so intriguing.</span> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Division 4</span></h2> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mineral Point 55, Westfield 45</span></h2> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mineral Point</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Pointers are now one game away from a perfect season after their semifinal victory. Future UW-Oshkosh Titan [player_tooltip player_id="204138" first="Mallory" last="Lindsey"] showed how you win a game without having your best night. Lindsey only shot 4 for 13 from the field, but she stayed aggressive all night, got into the paint, and drew fouls. The Pointer guard went a perfect 10 for 10 from the free-throw line. Lindsey finished with 20 points. Her backcourt partner Ella Chambers stood out to me tonight. Whenever Westfield made a mini-run to cut into the Pointer lead, Chambers seemed to hit a shot on the other end. With Westfield face guarding Lindsey, Chambers seemed to thrive in the extra space on the floor when her team needed her most.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Westfield</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Pioneers were out of sorts most of the night. The 26 turnovers are exhibits A, B, and C. That said, when Westfield beat the press, they did good things. [player_tooltip player_id="209906" first="Carly" last="Drew"] showed why she is highly regarded as a prospect, scoring 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds. When she got the ball, good things tended to happen. Brandi Lentz also played well and recorded 10 points and nine rebounds. Lentz played great defensively against the size Mineral Point had on the floor. </span> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Laconia 50, Neillsville 39</span></h2> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Laconia</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I love how this Laconia team plays defensively. Every player on the floor flies around the defensive end. I want to start with the senior [player_tooltip player_id="262984" first="Molly" last="Johannes"]. I’m not sure if she’s committed yet, but she’s good enough to play at the next level if she wants. Johannes’ energy is contagious. When there’s a loose ball near her, she is the first one on the floor. Her offensive game has room for improvement, but a coach will love her. Now to the class of 2025 kids. [player_tooltip player_id="342096" first="Tierney" last="Madigan"], Payton Morgan, and [player_tooltip player_id="375953" first="Aubrey" last="Leonard"] do not play like they’re in ninth grade. That trio made big play after big play to help the Spartans separate from Neillsville midway through the second half. As a side note, what Madigan brings to the defensive end is something I will be keeping tabs on over the next few years. She could be special.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">STATE TITLE PREVIEW: Laconia vs. Mineral Point</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The pace of this game is going to be absurd. There is no other way this goes. Mineral Point loves to press and double the ball handler, and Laconia loves to attack in transition. The pressure that the Pointers apply will be the biggest test for the Spartan guards all year, and it’s in the state title game. The final score could be in the 60’s or 70’s, so that means neither team will score 40</span>