The WIAA girls basketball playoffs begin Tuesday, Feb. 24, with the state tournament March 12-14 at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
Below is a breakdown of the
Division 3 Bracket.Sectional 1No. 1 Seeds: St. Croix Central (19-4),
Wittenberg-Birnamwood (24-0)
No. 2 Seeds: Prescott (15-9),
Hayward (21-3)
Favorite: Wittenberg-Birnamwood
The Chargers are in the hunt for their first state tournament appearance in program history. Wittenberg-Birnamwood, ranked No. 5 in the MaxPreps/WBCA Coaches Poll, is one of three undefeated teams in Division 3, joining Oostburg and Wisconsin Dells. The Chargers are headlined by
Rory Salvesen and
Melaina Granquist, a Western Illinois signee, who average 23.5 and 22.1 points per game, respectively. Wittenberg-Birnamwood finished one game short of the state tournament last season, losing to state runner-up Xavier in a sectional final.
Contenders: Mosinee (20-4), St. Croix Central
Three-seed Mosinee has won its last 15 games, including a 53-43 victory over Shawano.
Paetyn Jirschele headlines, averaging 16.4 points per contest. Another top performer for the Indians is
Pacyn Stoffel, who contributes 10.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
St. Croix Central has won nine of its last 10 games, with the lone loss to Baldwin-Woodville 44-42. Pacing the roster for the Panthers are
Sophie Hook and
Addison Kofal, who average 14.5 and 11.4 points per game, respectively.
Sleepers: Baldwin-Woodville (18-6),
Bloomer (16-7)
Baldwin-Woodville captured the Middle Border, which includes Prescott and St. Croix Central, both of which received higher seeds. The Blackhawks are led by
Shannon Fritts and
Trinity Karau, who average 11 and 10.3 points per game, respectively. Baldwin-Woodville advanced to the state tournament two years ago, the program's first trip.
Bloomer has won 12 of its last 14 games. Leading the way for the Blackhawks is
Addy Zwiefelhofer, who nets 16.9 points per game.
Top players: Shannon Fritts, Sr., Baldwin-Woodville
Melaina Granquist, Sr., Wittenberg-Birnamwood
Paetyn Jirschele, So., Mosinee
Jillian Kunert, Jr.,
NorthwesternViolet Otto, Sr., Prescott
Other notable players: Kennadie Berg, Sr.,
Altoona Grace Braithwaite, Sr.,
Somerset Allie Robel, Sr.,
Elk Mound Miley Brotzel, Jr.,
Amery Tatum Drazkowski, Jr.,
Arcadia Kordelia Geissler, So., Hayward
Sophie Hook, Sr., St. Croix Central
Tate Huppert, Fr.,
Ellsworth Trinity Karau, Jr., Baldwin-Woodville
Addison Kofal, Sr., St. Croix Central
Urijah Reevis, Sr.,
Menominee NationRory Salvesen, Sr., Wittenberg-Birnamwood
Pacyn Stoffel, Fr., Mosinee
Addy Zwiefelhofer, Sr., Bloomer
Best potential matchups: Wittenberg-Birnamwood vs. Baldwin-Woodville in a sectional final
Baldwin-Woodville at Prescott in a regional final
St. Croix Central vs. Prescott in a sectional semifinal
Sectional 2No. 1 Seeds: Aquinas (22-2),
Edgerton (22-2)
No. 2 Seeds: Wisconsin Dells (24-0),
Lancaster (21-3)
Favorite: Aquinas
The Blugolds, ranked No. 4 in the coaches poll, are looking for their seventh WIAA state tournament appearance. All appearances have come under head coach Dave Donarski, who has guided the team to two state titles. Aquinas has won its last 10 games and is led by Bradley University signee
Samantha Davis, who averages 23.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game. Other key players include
Alaina Elias (9.2 ppg, 3.7 spg) and
Ava Fernholz (7.9 ppg, 4.8 apg). Last season, Aquinas lost to eventual state champion Cuba City in a sectional final.
Contenders: Edgerton, Wisconsin Dells
Edgerton has its sights on reaching the state tournament for the first time in program history. The sixth-ranked Crimson Tide's only losses this season are to Brookfield East (Division 1) and Deerfield (No. 5 in Division 4).
Gracee Langer leads the way for Edgerton, tallying 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest. Other top contributors include
Marti Rebman and
Claudia Jenny, who average 13.4 and 12.6 points per game, respectively. Jenny also leads the team with 5.6 assists and 3.3 steals per contest. Last year, Edgerton lost to Laconia in a sectional final.
Wisconsin Dells, ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps/WBCA Coaches Poll, is one of three unbeaten teams in Division 3 (Oostburg, Wittenberg-Birnamwood). Headlining the roster for the Chiefs is
Natalie Backhaus, who averages 21.1 points, 11 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. Other key players include
Ashiya Hopkins and
Jazlyn Alwin, who tally 16.9 and 14.9 points per game, respectively. Wisconsin Dells is seeking its second trip to the state tournament in team history; the last was in 2018 under current head coach Bob Buss.
Sleepers: Cuba City (17-7),
Platteville (19-5)
Cuba City has won eight of its last nine games.
Ashley Rowe highlights the squad for the Cubans, which captured the Division 4 state championship last season.
Platteville, No. 10 in the final coaches poll, enters the postseason winners of six of its last eight games, including a 49-48 victory over Lancaster to share the SWC title. Leading the way for the Hillmen is
Avery Richard, who averages 17.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.2 steals per contest. Another top performer is
Rianna Dye, who puts up 14.1 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
Top players: Natalie Backhaus, Sr., Wisconsin Dells
Samantha Davis, Sr., Aquinas
Gracee Langer, Sr., Edgerton
Lexie Olmstead, Fr., Lancaster
Avery Richard, Jr., Platteville
Other notable players: Josie Brudos, Sr.,
West Salem Halle Drew, Sr.,
Westfield Rianna Dye, Jr., Platteville
Alaina Elias, Sr., Aquinas
Ava Fernholz, Jr., Aquinas
Bre Heller, Sr.,
Mauston Jayla Hodgess, Sr.,
Turner Ashiya Hopkins, Sr., Wisconsin Dells
Claudia Jenny, Jr., Edgerton
Brooklyn Maves, Sr.,
Evansville Addison Morgan, Jr., Lancaster
Piper Moyer, So.,
Adams-Friendship Marti Rebman, Sr., Edgerton
Ashley Rowe, Sr., Cuba City
Allyah Schwem, So.,
Viroqua Best potential matchups: Aquinas vs. Edgerton in a sectional final
Aquinas vs. Wisconsin Dells in a sectional semifinal
Edgerton vs. Platteville in a sectional semifinal
Platteville at Lancaster in a regional final
Sectional 3No. 1 Seeds: Denmark (20-4),
Oostburg (24-0)
No. 2 Seeds: Winneconne (18-6),
Laconia (17-7)
Favorite: Oostburg
The top-ranked Lady Dutch are riding a 30-game winning streak and are the favorites to repeat as Division 3 state champions. In non-conference play, they posted seven wins against teams ranked in either Division 1 or 2, including Arrowhead (D1) and Whitefish Bay (D2). Leading the way for the Lady Dutch are the trio of Ketterhagen sisters:
Ady Ketterhagen and
Riley Ketterhagen are signed to play at UW-Green Bay.
Kinsley Ketterhagen has a long list of Division I offers. Ady averages a team-high 20.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest, along with 2.2 assists and 3.4 steals per game. Kinsley tallies 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 4.0 steals per contest. Riley is third on the team in scoring, netting 11.3 points per contest, and dishes out a team-best five assists per game.
Contenders: Laconia, Winneconne
Laconia, No. 8 in the coaches poll, has won 12 of its last 13 games, including wins over Edgewood (66-59) and St. Mary Catholic (78-73). Division I prospect
Finley Morgan headlines the lineup for the Spartans, averaging 20.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Other key players include
Marissa Johnson (11 ppg) and
Mylee Redman (10.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg). Laconia, which has five trips to the state tournament, has reached state in each of the past four seasons, taking home two gold balls and one silver.
Winneconne has been tested this season, splitting games against ranked Division 2 teams in Xavier and Fox Valley Lutheran in Bay Conference play, along with dropping non-league contests against Oostburg and Wisconsin Dells. The Wolves roster is highlighted by
Grace Mitchell, who averages 17.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 steals per game.
Harper Neace is another top performer, tallying 13.9 points and 8.8 rebounds, while
Brooklyn Messerschmidt chips in 8.1 points and a team-best 3.4 assists per contest.
Sleepers: Brillion (16-8),
Little Chute (19-5)
Brillion has won four of its last six games.
Amaya Brooks and
Kaitlyn Schuman lead the way for the Lions, averaging 15.3 and 12.8 points per contest, respectively. Another key player is
Emma Schuh, who tallies 10.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
Little Chute has won 15 of its last 16 games. The Mustangs, which are a year removed from ending a 49-game losing streak, are led by a trio of freshmen, including
Lauren Vosters and Hattie Grishaber, who average 15.3 and 14.6 points per game, respectively.
Top players: Ady Ketterhagen, Sr., Oostburg
Kinsley Ketterhagen, So., Oostburg
Riley Ketterhagen Sr., Oostburg
Grace Mitchell, Jr., Winneconne
Finley Morgan, Jr., Laconia
Other notable players: Amaya Brooks, Sr., Brillion
Ava Calhoon, So., Freedom
Kenlee Jansen, So.,
SeymourMarissa Johnson, Sr., Laconia
Isabelle Markevitch Jr.,
Columbus Harper Neace, Jr., Winneconne
Elizabeth Neils, Sr.,
Kiel Allison Now, Sr.,
North Fond du Lac Mollie Schliewe, Jr.,
Sheboygan Falls Eden Schultz, Sr.,
Waupun Rylie Shallow, Sr.,
Oconto FallsAllie Vanvonderen, Jr., Denmark
Ella Verbeten, Sr.,
WrightstownLauren Vosters, Fr., Little Chute
Best potential matchups: Oostburg vs. Winneconne in a sectional final
Denmark vs. Winneconne in a sectional semifinal
Oostburg vs. Laconia in a sectional semifinal
Sectional 4
No. 1 Seeds: Kettle Moraine Lutheran (Jackson, Wis.) (23-1),
Milwaukee Academy of Science (16-3)
No. 2 Seeds: Lake Country Lutheran (18-6),
St. Thomas More (21-3)
Favorite: Kettle Moraine Lutheran
The Chargers, ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps/WBCA Coaches Poll, are riding a 12-game winning streak, which includes victories against Pewaukee (D1) and Whitefish Bay (D2). Highlighting the roster for KML are
Mya Mayer and
Brooklyn Luehring, who average 14.4 and 13.5 points per game, respectively. Mayer also leads the team with 8.7 rebounds per game, while Luehring averages a team-best 3.0 steals per game and adds 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest. Another key contributor for the Chargers is
Hayden Lauer, who tallies 10.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Kettle Moraine Lutheran is looking for its fourth WIAA state tournament appearance in team history; its last trip was two years ago.
Contenders: Milwaukee Academy of Science, St. Thomas More
Milwaukee Academy of Science, No. 7 in the coaches poll, has won 13 of its last 15 games, which includes a 55-54 win over Division 2 Pius XI Catholic.
Ariell Allen and
Kourtlyn Guy highlight the roster for the Lady Novas, averaging 20.4 and 18.4 points per game, respectively. Another key contributor is
Kimora Smith (10.7 ppg). MAS, which has three WIAA state tournament appearances in team history, last reached the state tourney in 2023 when it finished as the Division 3 state runner-up.
St. Thomas More, ranked No. 9 in the latest coaches poll, has won nine of its last 10 games. The Cavaliers' only losses this season were against Pius XI Catholic and twice to Dominican in Metro Classic play.
Hanna Bultman and
Zoe Dispennette lead the way for St. Thomas More, tallying 18.5 and 14.4 points per game, respectively. Bultman also leads the team with 9.7 rebounds per game, while Dispennette averages a team-best 2.4 steals per contest. Another double-digit scorer is
Olivia Lavigne, who nets 13.5 points per game and pulls down 9.3 rebounds per contest.
Sleepers: Lakeside Lutheran (17-7),
St. Catherine's (Racine) (16-8)
Lakeside Lutheran enters the postseason winners of 13 of its last 15 games.
Nadia Murphy puts up a team-best 14.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Other key players include
Paige Murphy (11.5 ppg) and Alex Moore (11.2 ppg).
Racine St. Catherine's has won six of its last eight games. Highlighting the Angels' roster are
Laila White (17.1 ppg, 2.4 spg) and
Jayda King (16.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg), who combine to average nearly 34 points per game. Another notable contributor is
Aniyah Price (9.2 ppg).
Top players: Ariell Allen, Jr., Milwaukee Academy of Science
Laila White, Sr., Racine St. Catherine's
Zoe Dispennette, Sr., St. Thomas More
Brooklyn Luehring, So., Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Mya Mayer, So., Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Other notable players: Hanna Bultman, Sr., St. Thomas More
Aubrie Cherek, Sr.,
East Troy Milan Fullerton, Jr.,
Lake Mills Kourtlyn Guy, Jr., Milwaukee Academy of Science
Jayda King, So., Racine St. Catherine's
Hayden Lauer, Jr., Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Eden Mueller, So., Lake Country Lutheran
Nadia Murphy, Jr., Lakeside Lutheran
Emma Neyhart, Sr.,
Luther Prep (Watertown)Kimora Smith, Jr., Milwaukee Academy of Science
Best potential matchups: Milwaukee Academy of Science vs. Kettle Moraine Lutheran in a sectional final
Milwaukee Academy of Science vs. St. Thomas More in a sectional semifinal
My tournament picks
Sectional FinalsSectional 1: Wittenberg-Birnamwood over Baldwin-Woodville
Sectional 2: Aquinas over Edgerton
Sectional 3: Oostburg over Winneconne
Sectional 4: Kettle Moraine Lutheran over Milwaukee Academy of Science
Championship Oostburg over Kettle Moraine Lutheran
