March 22, 2012 at 1:36 p.m.
Girls Cage tourney at Kohl Center this week
Ticket prices for the tourney are $10 per session.
The single elimination tournament features a five division format with four teams qualifying in each of the five divisions.
*Note: Subsequent games of each session will begin approximately 25 minutes following the previous game.
Thursday, March 22
(Time, Division, Pairings)
1:35 p.m.
5 Owen-Withee (24-3) vs. Newman Catholic (25-1)
5 Seneca (26-0) vs. Heritage Christian (22-4)*
6:35 p.m.
4 Regis (24-2) vs. Oshkosh Lourdes (25-1)
4 Neillsville (26-0) vs. Howards Grove (25-1)*
Friday, March 23
(Time, Divisioin, Pairings)
9:05 a.m.
3 Barron (21-5) vs. Kewaunee (22-4)
3 East Troy (24-2) vs. Oostburg (22-4)*
1:35 p.m.
2 New London (26-0) vs. Notre Dame (21-5)
2 Reedsburg (23-3) vs. New Berlin Eisenhower (26-0)*
6:35 p.m.
1 Oshkosh West (20-6) vs. De Pere (22-4)
1 Middleton (21-5) vs. Milwaukee King (20-6)*
Saturday, March 24
(Time Division, Pairings0
11:05 p.m.
5 Division 5 Championship Game
4 Division 4 Championship Game*
3 Division 3 Championship Game*
6:35 p.m.
2 Division 2 Championship Game
1 Division 1 Championship Game*
The State Tournament will be televised live on WKOW-TV channel 27 in Madison, WAOW-TV channel 9 in Wausau, WXOW-TV channel 19 in La Crosse, WQOW-TV channel 18 in Eau Claire, WYOW-TV channel 34 in Eagle River, WMOW-TV 4 in Crandon, WMLW-TV channel 41 in Milwaukee, KBJR-TV digital channel 6.2 in Duluth/Superior and WACY-TV channel 32 in Green Bay and the Fox Valley. The Wisconsin Division of Quincy Newspapers, Inc., will produce the coverage. The championships will also be streamed on the statewide network station Web sites.
The post-game media conferences will be shown live on WIAA.tv immediately following each game.
TEAM TOURNAMENT
HISTORY
The first WIAA State Girls Basketball Championship Tourna-ment was held in 1976. The tournament has been held at the UW Field House every year except in 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The championships have been held in the Kohl Center in 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2010-11, and at the Alliant Energy Center in 2004 and 2006-09. The tournament featured a three-class format until 1991, when a four-division format was adopted. In 2011, a fifth division was added.
Cuba City has won the most State titles over the years with nine. Milwaukee Washington has won five, and Barneveld, Fall Creek, Flambeau and Kimberly have won four. There have been 75 different schools that have won championships.
Cuba City has the distinction of having qualified for the most State Tournaments with 13. Janesville Parker has participated 12 times. Durand, Fall Creek, Milwaukee Washington and now Oostburg have qualified 10 times.
ABOUT THE DIV. 1 FIELD: Middleton is making its fifth consecutive appearance and its eighth overall. The Cardinals have finished second in the State twice, once in 1993 and again in 2003. They advance to the State semifinals after defeating Muskego 58-46 in the Sun Prairie Sectional final. The Cardinals are the champions of the Big Eight Conference this season.
De Pere is making its fourth appearance in the last five seasons and its seventh overall. The Redbirds captured the State title in 2005 and the Class A championship in the second of back-to-back appearances in 1983. In addition, they finished runner-up in 2010. Their return to the tourney comes by virtue of a 57-46 victory over Arrowhead in the Sheboygan North Sectional final. They finished first in the Fox River Classic Conference this season.
Oshkosh West will be making its seventh appearance in the tournament and its first since 2008 when the Wildcats finished runner-up. They had a streak of four straight appearances from 2002-05, which produced back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004. The Wildcats placed in a tie for second place in the Fox Valley Association this season, and they advanced from the Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln Sectional with a 46-43 win over Marshfield in the sectional final.
Milwaukee King is playing in the State Tournament for the fourth time and for the first time since finishing runner-up in 2009. The Lady Generals' first two appearances resulted in losses in the quarterfinals. They beat Oak Creek 74-65 in the final of the Whitefish Bay Sectional to earn another trip to Madison. They were champions of the Milwaukee City Conference this season.
ABOUT THE DIV. 2 FIELD: 2011 champion New London earned the opportunity to defend its title with a 37-21 triumph over Hayward in the Marshfield Sectional final. The Bulldogs are making their fourth overall appearance in the tournament, having back-to-back appearances in 2006-07, which produced a runner-up finish in 2007. They are the champions of the Bay Conference this season.
Notre Dame is back in the tournament for the fourth time and for the first time since 2009. The Tritons won the State title in their first-ever appearance in 2001 and added a runner-up finish in 2005. This season, they finished fourth in the Fox River Classic Conference and have advanced to the semifinals through the Fond du Lac Sectional with a 74-66 overtime win over Beaver Dam in the final.
New Berlin Eisenhower will experience the State Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons, having captured the crown in 2010. The only other appearance for the Lions was in 1988. The Lions defeated Whitefish Bay 48-23 in the Waukesha South Sectional final to advance into the final field of four. They are the champions in the Black Division of the Woodland Conference this season.
Reedsburg celebrates its first-ever trip to State following its 43-36 win over Whitewater in the Janesville Craig Sectional final. The Beavers were the runner-up in the North Division of the Badger Conference this winter.
ABOUT THE DIV. 3 FIELD: Kewaunee finished runner-up in its first-ever State appearance last season. This year, the Storm defeated Xavier 59-50 in the final of the Ashwaubenon Sectional to advance to the State semifinals. They shared the Packerland Conference title with Algoma this season.
Oostburg returns to State in Division 3 after qualifying last year in Division 4. The Flying Dutchmen are back at State for the sixth straight year and for the 10th time overall. The Flying Dutchmen won Division 3 State championships in 1990, 1994 and 2008, and finished runner-up in 2010. This season, they finished in a first-place tie in the Central Lakeshore Conference with Howards Grove, a State qualifier in Division 4. The Flying Dutchmen earned a return engagement to the Kohl Center with a 52-39 victory over Lomira in the Cedarburg Sectional final.
Barron qualifies for just the second time. Its only other State experience came in 2001, which ended with a loss in the semifinals. The Golden Bears advanced to the State semifinals through the Chippewa Falls Sectional as a result of their 44-37 win over Westby in the final. They finished in a third-place tie in the Heart O' North Conference this season.
East Troy is making the school's first appearance in the State Tournament. The Trojans edged Richland Center 85-82 in overtime in the final of the Waunakee Sectional. They tied Whitewater for first place in the standings of the North Division of the Rock Valley Conference this season.
ABOUT THE DIV. 4 FIELD Defending champion Regis is appearing at State for the fourth time. The Lady Ramblers also tallied back-to-back experiences in 2003-04, which produced a Division 4 championship in 2003. The champions of the Western Division of the Cloverbelt Conference defeated Ladysmith 47-33 in the Osseo-Fairchild Sectional final. Regis also had a history of success in the WISAA tournament before that association dissolved. Regis won back-to-back titles in 1986, 1992 and 1993, and was runner-up in 1995 and 1991.
Neillsville is making its third appearance in the tournament. The Warriors qualified in Division 2 in 2007 after qualifying for State for the first time in 2006 as a Division 3 program. Both those prior appearances resulted in losses in the semifinals. They are the champions of the East Division of the Cloverbelt Conference this season. Their path to State was paved through the Mauston Sectional and culminated with a 57-37 win over Cuba City in the final.
Howards Grove and Oshkosh Lourdes will experience State for the first time. Howards Grove defeated Shoreland Lutheran 54-48 in the Waukesha North Sectional final. The Tigers finished in a first-place tie in the Central Lakeshore Conference with Oostburg, a State qualifier in Division 3. Oshkosh Lourdes cruised by Edgar 68-47 in the Waupaca Sectional final to earn its initial State berth. The Lady Knights are the Trailways Conference Northern Division champions this season.
ABOUT THE DIV. 5 FIELD: Two-time defending champion Newman Catholic is making its ninth overall appearance. The Fighting Cardinals won the Division 4 title in 2010 and the Division 5 crown last season. In addition, they won the Division 4 State championship in 2002. Furthermore, their appearances in 2005 and 2006 produced runner-up finishes. The champions of the Marawood Conference South Division earned their return to the State Tournament by nipping Hilbert 57-56 in the Pulaski Sectional final.
Owen-Withee makes its eighth tournament appearance and its first since 2005. The Blackhawks most notable outcomes at State have been runner-up finishes in 1988, 2003 and 2005. They finished second in the East Division of the Cloverbelt Conference behind Division 4 qualifier Neillsville. The Blackhawks defeated Northwood 58-35 in the Spooner Sectional final.
Seneca has qualified for the State Tournament for the first time since its only other appearance in 1983, which resulted in a loss in the Class C semifinals. The Indians downed McDonell Central 50-41 in the La Crosse Central Sectional final to earn their way to the Kohl Center. They were the champions of the Ridge and Valley Conference this season.
Heritage Christian qualifies for the State Tournament for the first time following a 59-38 victory over Barneveld in the Fort Atkinson Sectional final. The Patriots finished atop the standings in the South Division of the Midwest Classic Conference this season.
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with a 37-21 triumph over Hayward in the Marshfield Sectional final. The Bulldogs are making their fourth overall appearance in the tournament, having back-to-back appearances in 2006-07, which produced a runner-up finish in 2007. They are the champions of the Bay Conference this season.
Notre Dame is back in the tournament for the fourth time and for the first time since 2009. The Tritons won the State title in their first-ever appearance in 2001 and added a runner-up finish in 2005. This season, they finished fourth in the Fox River Classic Conference and have advanced to the semifinals through the Fond du Lac Sectional with a 74-66 overtime win over Beaver Dam in the final.
New Berlin Eisenhower will experience the State Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons, having captured the crown in 2010. The only other appearance for the Lions was in 1988. The Lions defeated Whitefish Bay 48-23 in the Waukesha South Sectional final to advance into the final field of four. They are the champions in the Black Division of the Woodland Conference this season.
Reedsburg celebrates its first-ever trip to State following its 43-36 win over Whitewater in the Janesville Craig Sectional final. The Beavers were the runner-up in the North Division of the Badger Conference this winter.
ABOUT THE DIV. 3 FIELD: Kewaunee finished runner-up in its first-ever State appearance last season. This year, the Storm defeated Xavier 59-50 in the final of the Ashwaubenon Sectional to advance to the State semifinals. They shared the Packerland Conference title with Algoma this season.
Oostburg returns to State in Division 3 after qualifying last year in Division 4. The Flying Dutchmen are back at State for the sixth straight year and for the 10th time overall. The Flying Dutchmen won Division 3 State championships in 1990, 1994 and 2008, and finished runner-up in 2010. This season, they finished in a first-place tie in the Central Lakeshore Conference with Howards Grove, a State qualifier in Division 4. The Flying Dutchmen earned a return engagement to the Kohl Center with a 52-39 victory over Lomira in the Cedarburg Sectional final.
Barron qualifies for just the second time. Its only other State experience came in 2001, which ended with a loss in the semifinals. The Golden Bears advanced to the State semifinals through the Chippewa Falls Sectional as a result of their 44-37 win over Westby in the final. They finished in a third-place tie in the Heart O' North Conference this season.
East Troy is making the school's first appearance in the State Tournament. The Trojans edged Richland Center 85-82 in overtime in the final of the Waunakee Sectional. They tied Whitewater for first place in the standings of the North Division of the Rock Valley Conference this season.
ABOUT THE DIV. 4 FIELD Defending champion Regis is appearing at State for the fourth time. The Lady Ramblers also tallied back-to-back experiences in 2003-04, which produced a Division 4 championship in 2003. The champions of the Western Division of the Cloverbelt Conference defeated Ladysmith 47-33 in the Osseo-Fairchild Sectional final. Regis also had a history of success in the WISAA tournament before that association dissolved. Regis won back-to-back titles in 1986, 1992 and 1993, and was runner-up in 1995 and 1991.
Neillsville is making its third appearance in the tournament. The Warriors qualified in Division 2 in 2007 after qualifying for State for the first time in 2006 as a Division 3 program. Both those prior appearances resulted in losses in the semifinals. They are the champions of the East Division of the Cloverbelt Conference this season. Their path to State was paved through the Mauston Sectional and culminated with a 57-37 win over Cuba City in the final.
Howards Grove and Oshkosh Lourdes will experience State for the first time. Howards Grove defeated Shoreland Lutheran 54-48 in the Waukesha North Sectional final. The Tigers finished in a first-place tie in the Central Lakeshore Conference with Oostburg, a State qualifier in Division 3. Oshkosh Lourdes cruised by Edgar 68-47 in the Waupaca Sectional final to earn its initial State berth. The Lady Knights are the Trailways Conference Northern Division champions this season.
ABOUT THE DIV. 5 FIELD: Two-time defending champion Newman Catholic is making its ninth overall appearance. The Fighting Cardinals won the Division 4 title in 2010 and the Division 5 crown last season. In addition, they won the Division 4 State championship in 2002. Furthermore, their appearances in 2005 and 2006 produced runner-up finishes. The champions of the Marawood Conference South Division earned their return to the State Tournament by nipping Hilbert 57-56 in the Pulaski Sectional final.
Owen-Withee makes its eighth tournament appearance and its first since 2005. The Blackhawks most notable outcomes at State have been runner-up finishes in 1988, 2003 and 2005. They finished second in the East Division of the Cloverbelt Conference behind Division 4 qualifier Neillsville. The Blackhawks defeated Northwood 58-35 in the Spooner Sectional final.
Seneca has qualified for the State Tournament for the first time since its only other appearance in 1983, which resulted in a loss in the Class C semifinals. The Indians downed McDonell Central 50-41 in the La Crosse Central Sectional final to earn their way to the Kohl Center. They were the champions of the Ridge and Valley Conference this season.
Heritage Christian qualifies for the State Tournament for the first time following a 59-38 victory over Barneveld in the Fort Atkinson Sectional final. The Patriots finished atop the standings in the South Division of the Midwest Classic Conference this season.
