We have finally arrived at the Resch Center in Green Bay for the D2 & D1 state semi-finals today. I will be covering the D1 games tonight while Matt Peck goes over the D2 games. We will go over a preview of both matchups as well as some key players and keys to winning tonight.
TONIGHTS MATCHUPS IN DIVISION 1
#1 seed Arrowhead Warhawks vs. #4 seed Franklin Sabers at 6:35 pm.
#2 seed Hartford vs. #3 seed Neenah 15 minutes after the first game.
Arrowhead Vs Franklin
To kick things off in Division 1, we’ve got the 4 vs. 1 matchup between two Milwaukee area teams who both have amazing athletic departments, and this should be a fun one tonight.
The Franklin Sabers from the SEC Conference come into the state tournament 16-8, winning the SEC with a 13-1 record, coached by Ron Hibben, and have had some stunning wins this year, including a big game leading up to state defeating the Muskego Warriors 54-50 in the sectional final.
The Arrowhead Warhawks from the Classic 8 Conference come into this game 21-3, and the champions in their conference finish undefeated. The Warhawks are coached by Ron Reichle. Arrowhead had some huge wins to lead to the number one seed this year as they knocked through the top 25 teams in the state not once but twice against Muskego and Catholic Memorial.
Key Players to Watch
Arrowhead: Natalie Kussow 23.3 ppg
Abby Robel 9.0 ppg
Franklin: Natalie Meaux 16.7 ppg
Lauren Capstran 14.2 ppg
Neenah Rockets vs Hartford Union Orioles
To finish the semi-final Friday out, we have a 2 vs. 3 matchup between the Neenah Rockets and the Hartford Union Orioles.
The Neenah Rockets come into this game 19-5, and finished 3rd in the Fox Valley Association Conference with a 14-4 record. The Rockets are coached by Andy Braunel in his 20th season as head coach.
The Hartford Union Orioles come into the state semi-finals 22-2 with a first place finish in the North Shore Conference with a 15-1 record. The Orioles are coached by Vinny Daniels in his 4th season as head coach.
Key Players To Watch
Neenah: Allie Ziebell 26.1 ppg
Rowan Klesmit 14.3 ppg
Hartford: Makena Christian, 25.5 ppg
Rita Kuepper, 11.8 ppg
Final Thoughts
Let the games begin! I will be writing another article following at least the Arrowhead and Franklin games. Good luck to the four teams in Division 1 tonight!