Saturday’s Regional Final Games to Watch
The 2019 WIAA playoffs begin to heat up with regional final action taking place on Saturday. Here are the top games to watch across the state… (5) Homestead at (4) Arrowhead Two teams that are capable of reaching the…
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Continue ReadingThe 2019 WIAA playoffs begin to heat up with regional final action taking place on Saturday. Here are the top games to watch across the state…
(5) Homestead at (4) Arrowhead
Two teams that are capable of reaching the Kohl Center, Arrowhead (19-4) hosts Homestead (19-4) in the right to likely take on Sussex Hamilton in sectionals. The Warhawks are coming off a 90-59 thumping of Menomonee Falls on Friday, getting 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists from Carter Gilmore. The Highlanders got past Green Bay East 88-72 in the regional semifinals and should give Arrowhead trouble with their 1-2 punch of Declan Ciurlik and Ryan Waddell.
(3) River Falls at (2) Onalaska
La Crosse Central has been a huge wall in the way of Onalaska (19-4) and a trip to state for the past several seasons. Will the Hilltoppers get caught looking ahead? Onalaska bested New Richmond 78-38 on Friday, but have a tough game ahead against River Falls (16-6), the champions of the Big Rivers Conference. The Wildcats took care of Ashland 69-52 in the regional semifinals.
(5) Milwaukee Madison at (1) Nicolet
The first substantial hurdle for Nicolet (22-1) in their quest from Milwaukee Madison (18-5). Kyran Gaines (24.5 ppg) and the Knights present problems for a lot of teams and were able to knock off Grafton 70-63 on the road in the regional finals. Jalen Johnson and Jamari Sibley were both solid for the Knights, who ran past Slinger 69-31 in their playoff opener.
(5) Monona Grove at (1) Mount Horeb
The Badger North champ takes on the Badger South champ. Monona Grove got a good test from Oregon on Friday, but survived 51-48 on the road. Meanwhile, Mount Horeb took a 65-49 victory over Monroe. The Vikings are 3-0 against Badger South foes this season, while the Silver Eagles have a 1-1 mark against the North.
(3) Bloomer at (2) Northwestern
These two teams have already played two tight ball games. The third will decide who advances to sectionals and who goes home. Northwestern won both meetings against Bloomer, a 54-45 decision on Jan. 3 and a 58-53 victory on Feb. 8 to seal the Heart O’ North Conference title. Will Saturday be the day the Blackhawks finally get over the hump?
(3) Saint John’s Northwestern Military Academy at (2) Racine St. Catherine’s
This sectional is loaded and Saturday feels like it should be a sectional final between two teams of this caliber. St. Catherine’s (20-3), who split the Metro Classic Conference title with Martin Luther, defeated Saint Francis 77-39 on Friday. SJNMA (22-1), the winners of the Midwest Classic Conference, took care of Saint Thomas More 61-55 in their playoff opener.
(3) Mineral Point at (2) New Glarus
These two teams faced back on Jan. 7 with Mineral Point (17-6) taking a 72-57 win on the road. This time, there will be no Brayden Dailey for the Pointers, however. New Glarus (21-2), the Capitol South Conference champs, will seek revenge after an 84-47 victory over Luther on Friday. The Pointers got past Cuba City 72-67 in the regional semifinals.
(3) Oostburg at (2) Howards Grove
Two teams that were part of a three-way tie in the Big East Conference, that tie will be settled during Saturday’s regional final. Oostburg (18-5) advanced with a 67-56 win over St. Mary’s Springs, while Howards Grove (20-2) came out with a 65-44 victory over Reedsville. Both squads only faced once this season with Howards Grove taking a 58-34 decision in December.
(3) Barneveld at (2) Rio
Intriguing battle in Division 5. Barneveld (16-7) won the Six Rivers East Conference and advanced with a 58-46 win over Cambria-Friesland. Rio is coming off a 76-65 victory over Black Hawk. The winner will likely get top seed and unbeaten Randolph next week.