The relationship of Wisconsin's public and private high school basketball programs has been a critical discussion item in recent weeks.
Recently, Deb Hauser, associate director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA), presented to the Board of Control a proposal related to the public- and private-school basketball programs.
“That seems to be a hot topic in this state,” said Todd Clark, the WIAA's director of communications. “We'll bring a plan to area meetings in the fall to see if this is something the membership would be in favor of. That's always a topic, especially in basketball.
Private schools have been a part of the WIAA since 2000.
“Some people think that's fine and others don't,” Clark said. “We're looking at a formula to move a majority of the religious and independent schools up a division. But it's in the discussion stages right now.”
Although private schools comprise less than 15 percent of the state's basketball schools, the WIAA pointed out that in Divisions 2, 3 and 4, 30 percent of the boys state tournament field since 2001, including 60 percent last season, have come from the non-public contingent.
Critics of the current setup point to the private schools' ability, especially in urban areas, to attract top-notch student-athletes.
Hauser proposed moving private schools up one enrollment division if they are in a community that is part of a district that has more than one public high school and/or one public school ranked among the top 30 in enrollment.
The plan would have affected only private schools in Divisions 3 and 4 but board members have expressed an interest for including Division 2 private schools in the plan, which would shift as many as 11 to Division 1.
The WIAA also wants to consider a plan that would split the tournament field into five divisions instead of four. That would mean five state tournament fields of four teams each instead of the current format of 8-4-4-4.
Hauser is set to have additional proposals at the board meeting in June. It would then go to the basketball committee, individual schools and eventually to the WIAA for action perhaps by next May. Plenty of debate is anticipated in the meantime, Clark said.
Softball: Pitching pushes Kenosha Bradford to 20-1 mark
Kenosha Bradford's softball team got off to an 18-0 start and was ranked as the top team in the state. A 2-1 loss to Illinois powerhouse Antioch knocked Bradford out of the ranks of the unbeaten.
The Red Devils (20-1) beat defending Division 2 state champion New Berlin Eisenhower, 4-1, in the semifinals of a recent area showcase tournament, and Germantown, 5-0, in six innings in the championship game.
Pitcher Alyssa Roberts is 10-0 with an ERA of 1.2.
Bradford coach John Ruffolo, in his sixth year with the team, said his squad has been excelling in all key areas of the game.
“We have 10 returning players from last year's team,” said Ruffolo, who also has a standout sophomore pitcher in Ali Brems, who won her first seven decisions including six on shutouts. “She had not given up an earned run.”
As for Roberts, “she's very savvy,” Ruffolo said. “She throws well to her location. Ali is more of a power pitcher. She throws really hard.”
Offensively, one of the top players for Bradford has been junior catcher Alyse Mikolas, a third-team all-stater and also the team's leadoff hitter. Another solid hitter has been Courtney Mercer who is batting .600 with five home runs and 29 RBIs.
“They both work hard on and off the field,” Ruffolo said. “They play at a high level.”
Bradford appears to have enough stars to make it a major contender for the Division 1 title.
“Verona beat us the last three years in the sectionals,” Ruffolo said. “We will face a number of quality pitchers. The key will be our composure and deal with the ups and downs of playoff competition.”
Baseball Notes
* Will Reiche and Bobby Blume each drove in three runs as the Marathon Raiders improved to 21-1 and closed out a perfect Marawood Conference South Division season with a 14-3 victory over Pittsford.
* Chris Andersen and Brett Zeigel combined for a three-hitter and the Wausau West baseball team earned a share of its first Wisconsin Valley Conference title since 1983 with a 11-2 win over Rhinelander. Andersen and Zeigel combined for 11 strikeouts and walked none. West also collected 10 hits and did not make an error.
* Eau Claire Memorial's Will Fadness is considered one of the best high school catchers in the state. Fadness is hitting .543, with five doubles, six home runs, 14 walks and 23 runs batted in.
* Oshkosh Lourdes pitcher Alec Jalovec had a no-hitter, striking out 11 in a 19-0 five-inning victory over Montello. Christian Jensen was 3-for-3 with five RBIs while Robbie Klaman was 4-for-5 with a triple.
* Nate Anschutz threw a five-inning no-hitter with 10 strikeouts for Sturgeon Bay (15-4, 12-2). Nate Felhofer and Simon Rabas each had two-run singles in a six-run first inning for the Clippers.
