GAME OF THE WEEK (March 1–7)
GIRLS BASKETBALL: WIAA Sectional Playoffs, Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.
DIVISION 3: #3 Platteville (18–4) vs. #1 Marshall (23–1), at Oregon, 7 p.m., WPVL (107.1 FM)
The third-seeded Hillmen upset second-seeded Dodgevillle, 50–37, Friday night on the Dodgers home court to win a third straight WIAA Division 3 regional title. Platteville advances to face fifth-ranked and top-seeded Marshall tonight at Oregon High School.
The Cardinals won the Capitol South Conference. They had a 21-game winning streak until dropping a non-conference loss to Lakeside Lutheran in the final game of the regular season. The winner will advance to Saturday’s Sun Prairie Sectional final and will face either Big Foot (19–5) or Lakeside Lutheran (18–6). Marshall, which averages, 68.5 points per game, is led by freshman Mia Morel, who averages a team-high 17 points and 6.1 assists per game.
“Marshall is a great team with a high powered offense,” said Platteville head coach Brandon Temperly. “They really like to get out in transition and score quickly. We are looking forward to playing a new opponent in a great environment in Oregon.”
DIVISION 4: #1 La Crosse Aquinas (24–0) vs #2 Darlington (19–4), at Richland Center, 7 p.m., KIYX (106.1 FM)
The second-seeded Redbirds earned a shot the top-ranked Blugolds by defeating SWAL rival Mineral Point 57–53 in a WIAA Division 4 regional final Saturday night. Aquinas denied Darlington a shot at a trip to state a year ago when they ended the Redbirds’ season in last year’s D4 sectional finals, 64–40.
DIVISION 5:
#1 Shullsburg (20–5) vs. #3 River Ridge (21–4), at Prairie du Chien, 7 p.m., WGLR (97.7 FM)
The Miners hammered Six Rivers West foes Cassvile 69–25 last Tuesday, Shullsburg 60–47 last Friday, and Benton 60–36 to win the regional title. Shullsburg improved to 20–5 on the season and advances to face another conference rival, River Ridge (21–4) in a D5 regional semifinal Thursday night at Prairie du Chien. The Timberwolves held Potosi’s all-time leading scorer Abby Kaiser to just nine points in a 52–39 victory over the SRW co-champion Chieftains in Friday’s Potosi regional final.
Shullsburg and Ridge split their two regular season matchups with each team winning on the other’s home court. Thursday’s rubber match winner will advance to face either Bangor (22–3) or Hillsboro (18–7) in a sectional final game at La Crosse Logan High School on Saturday at 1 p.m.
#1 Black Hawk (25–0) vs. #3 Central Christian (21–4), at Verona, 7 p.m.
The undefeated top-ranked Warriors steamrolled through their regional with blowout wins over Madison Country Day, 96–21, last Tuesday, Albany, 71–39, on Friday and Argyle, 79–47, in Saturday’s regional final.
PREP WRESTLING: WIAA Team State Championship, Saturday, March 3 at UW–Fieldhouse (Madison), WGLR (97.7 FM)
Individual state is in the books, but the Fennimore wrestling season is not over. The second-ranked Golden Eagles (16–2–1) will return to Madison this weekend for the WIAA Team State Tournament. Fennimore will face Random Lake (15–4) in the Division 3 semifinals at 10 a.m. at the UW Fieldhouse. With a win they will advance to the D3 team state championship match against either top-ranked defending D3 champion Stratford or Saint Croix Falls. The championship match is set for 3 p.m.
Fennimore will be making its fourth straight appearance at the team state tournament. The Eagles won the 2016 Division 3 state title and finished second last year.
Division 3 Semifinals, 10 a.m.
#1 Stratford (20–0) vs. St. Croix Falls (18–0)
#2 Fennimore (16–2–1) vs. Random Lake (15–4)
Division 3 Championship, 3 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: WIAA regional semifinals, Friday, March 2, 7 p.m.
The road to Kohl Center continues Friday night when the WIAA Boys Basketball regional semifinal games. The winners advances to Saturday night’s regional final round, which will be played at the highest seed’s gymnasium.
This Week’s Other Area Conference Games
Division 3
#8 Richland Center (11–12) at #1 Platteville (17–5)
#5 River Valley (11–12) at #4 Prairie du Chien (11–10)
#6 Madison Edgewood (9–14) at #3 Lodi (13–9)
#7 Dodgeville (11–12) at #2 Edgerton (17–5)
Division 4
#8 Necedah (17–6) at #1 Mineral Point (18–4)
#5 Cuba City (15–8) at #4 Darlington (15–7) has a bye
#6 Aquinas (10–12) at #3 Wisconsin Heights (18–4)
#7 Onalaska Luther (13–10) at #2 Fennimore (19–3)
Division 5
#8 Shullsburg (12–11) at #1 Seneca (20–2), WPVL (107.1 FM)
#5 River Ridge (13–10) at #4 Wauzeka–Steuben (19–4), WGLR (97.7 FM)
#6 Kickapoo (15–7) at #3 De Soto (17–4)
#7 Southwestern (11–12) at #2 Potosi (18–5)
