Friday’s Playoff Games to Watch
10 games to watch during Friday’s WIAA boy’s basketball regional semifinal action… (10) Eau Claire Memorial at (7) Oshkosh North Time to find out just how well the Fox Valley Association prepared teams for the playoffs. Despite a 13-7…
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Continue Reading10 games to watch during Friday’s WIAA boy’s basketball regional semifinal action…
(10) Eau Claire Memorial at (7) Oshkosh North
Time to find out just how well the Fox Valley Association prepared teams for the playoffs. Despite a 13-7 record, Eau Claire Memorial, who finished one game out of first place in the Big Rivers Conference, was seeded lower than 12-10 Oshkosh North, who finished seven games back in the FVA. Friday will feature a good matchup in the post between ECM’s Caden Boser (20.1 ppg) and North’s Matt Hickey (14.1 ppg).
(5) Milwaukee Madison at (4) Grafton
Another matchup where conference dictated the seeding, Grafton (14-8) gets a home game against Milwaukee Madison (17-5) for being in the North Shore, where Nicolet happens to reside. Still, the Black Hawks are for real and are getting a breakout season from junior guard Alex Huibregtse (20.5). High-scoring forward Kyrain Gaines (25.1 ppg) and the Knights will look to make a statement in the regional semifinals.
(7) Stoughton at (2) DeForest
DeForest (17-5) finished second in the Badger North, while Stoughton (13-10) took second in the Badger South. The Vikings played a very difficult non-conference schedule, taking on Prairie Du Chien, La Crosse Central, Grafton, McFarland, and Lake Mills, which may pay dividends in the playoffs. However, they’ll have their hands full with Austin Westra (17.3 ppg) and the Norskies, who are a potential sectional semifinal squad.
(5) Monona Grove at (4) Oregon
Monona Grove won the Badger South title, yet they’re traveling to Oregon, who finished tied for second place. Senior guard Caden Nelson (22.7 ppg) takes the floor for the Silver Eagles, who have been close to a state berth the past few seasons. The teams split the two regular season meetings, which were decided by an average of 6.5 points.
(5) Whitefish Bay at (4) Wauwatosa West
Two sleeper teams who took a beating at times with their very difficult conference schedules, now get to flex their muscles in the playoffs. Whitefish Bay (10-13) sophomore Jayden Jackson (14.0 ppg) is one of the best class of 2021 prospects you haven’t heard of. Tosa West (9-13) features a very deep and balanced attack that could give opponents problems in the first few rounds.
(5) Lake Mills at (4) Lakeside Lutheran
The Capitol North champs host the runner-up in a highly anticipated rematch. Lakeside Lutheran (16-3) and Lake Mills (18-5) split the two meetings in the regular season. The Warriors, who feature the trio of Jack Monis (15.1 ppg), Cameron Paske (14.1 ppg), and Will DeNoyer (11.5 ppg) feel like a potential bracket buster team this season.
(6) University School at (3) Dominican
A team that could benefit from being in a top heavy conference, University School (13-9) has some Cinderella potential. As for Dominican (15-7), as long as they’re not playing Racine St. Catherine’s, Martin Luther, or a power program from out of state, they’ve been very good this season. Having a breakout junior season, Alex Antetokounmpo (19.0 ppg) will have to carry the Knights if they’re going to make a run in March.
(5) Brown Deer at (4) Golda Meir
If you like points, find a seat for this one. Brown Deer (12-11) and Golda Meir (16-6) both prefer to play a track meet and should keep things at a frenetic pace. The Falcons won their first playoff game easily Tenor/Veritas. This game will pit excellent guard play for Brown Deer against long, athletic combo forwards for Golda Meir.
(5) Wisconsin Heights at (4) Fennimore
Two teams that flew under the radar because their conference champions were having such big seasons, Fennimore (18-4) hosts Wisconsin Heights (16-6) in a key regional semifinal. The Golden Eagles feature a pair of deadly sharpshooters in Reid Larson (18.5 ppg) and Adam Larson (17.6 ppg). Meanwhile, Heights will counter with a deep and balanced lineup that led them to a runner-up finish in the Capitol South Conference.
(6) Cuba City at (3) Mineral Point
There’s an intriguing chess match going on between these two teams. Cuba City (17-6) walloped Mineral Point (16-6) 71-51 just six days ago. With the brackets already set and Mineral Point not playing for a conference title, did the Pointers show their best stuff? Granted, they no longer have Brayden Dailey, which surely contributed to the lopsided scoreline, but the Cubans’ victory on Feb. 21 was a 31-point difference from the first meeting. Junior shooting guard Isaac Lindsey (21.0 ppg) will look to get Mineral Point some revenge on Friday.
Others: Oshkosh West at Marshfield, Menomonee Falls at Arrowhead, Milwaukee Bradley Tech at West Allis Central, Monroe at Mount Horeb