Seven Milwaukee-area programs qualify for 2024 WIAA girls state basketball tournaments
For the second straight postseason, the greater Milwaukee area will send a large contingency of programs to the girls basketball state tournaments. After sending six teams last season, the area will have seven representatives this weekend in Ashwaubenon.
Here's a look at each program, starting with three of the four semifinalists in Division 1.
Division 1
Arrowhead
For the Warhawks to make their fourth appearance at state since 2013, they had to take down not just one, but two undefeated teams in three days. In the sectional semifinals on Thursday against Verona, the Warhawks shot just 4 of 22 from long range, but held the dynamic duo of Taylor Stremlow and Reagan Briggs to just 23 combined points in a 49-41 victoryd. Two days later, the Warhawks got a 25-point performance from Natalie Kussow in a 65-54 victory over Oregon to become one of three teams from the greater Milwaukee area to qualify in Division 1. It's the second year in a row three of the four teams in the D1 bracket are from the area.
Franklin
The Sabers will make their second state appearance in the last four seasons after an eight-point halftime comeback against top-seeded Muskego in Saturday's sectional final, 54-50. The victory was the culmination of a program that got healthy and got hot at the right time of the year. There was a stretch to close 2023 into'24 where the Sabers lost four of their six contests to sit at 8-7. Senior guard Natalie Meaux returned and the Sabers hit their stride, winning 11 of their last 12 games entering Saturday. After losing by 34 points (74-40) in their season opener to the Warriors, the Sabers are one of the final four teams left in D1.
Hartford
The rallying cry has been the same all season for the co-North Shore Conference champion: why not us? Despite a 22-2 mark, the Orioles were given a No. 3 seed in a tough Sectional 2. After they rolled through regionals, the Orioles followed that up by taking down an impressive Kimberly team by 20 points (83-63) in the sectional semifinals on Thursday. The win set up a showdown with last year's state runner-up in Brookfield East on Saturday. Following a first-half double-double from Minnesota recruit Makena Christian, the Orioles clinched their first state appearance since 2000 with a 70-55 victory over the Spartans. The Orioles are a perfect 16-0 in 2024 and look like the most dangerous team this weekend.
Division 2
Pewaukee
If there was a division-less rankings system in the state, Pewaukee would have a great chance to be ranked No. 1. The Pirates haven't lost to an in-state opponent this season as they head to the Resch Center for the fourth time in the last five postseasons. In their four playoff games, the Pirates have won by an average of over 39 points per contest, including a 77-61 victory in their sectional final contest with Beaver Dam on Saturday. The three-headed monster of Amy Terrian, Anna Terrian and Giselle Janowski have the Pirates in position once again for a shot at that elusive gold ball.
Wauwatosa East
There was a sense of relief from coach Mary Merg after her Red Raiders dispatched Pius in Thursday's sectional semifinals, 54-48. The Lady Popes had dominated many over the years, including Wauwatosa East, but this isn't the same team that went 3-18 during the 2020-21 season and hadn't been to state since before women's college basketball held their first official NCAA tournament. The Red Raiders took care of business on Saturday against a hot Union Grove bunch (59-44) to join the two-time defending state runner-up Pirates in Friday's Division 2 semifinals.
Division 3
Kettle Moraine Lutheran
It wasn't the prettiest exhibition of basketball on Saturday afternoon in their 47-34 victory over top-seeded Catholic Memorial, but Chargers coach Jason Walz made a great point after his team's win. It's not always about what pops up in the box score. The rebounding discrepancy is one of the things that would pop up in there after a ruthless energy displayed on the glass from the Chargers, but the hustle plays and defensive effort in holding the Crusaders to just two made 3-pointers made the difference. Taylor Schwalenberg controlled the game wonderfully on the offensive end for the Chargers and Makenzie Luehring attacked the rim at will. It was the kind of effort that could make the Chargers difficult to deal with at the Resch Center.
Division 4
The Prairie School
For the first time since 2013, the Hawks are one of the last four standing for a gold ball. After coming just one win short of making it to state last year, the Hawks have soared back to state in impressive fashion. They've won 14 straight contests dating back to an 82-80 loss to Grafton on Jan. 13 and have decimated everyone in their path, including a 71-21 blowout victory over Winnebago Lutheran in Saturday's sectional final. Jasonya "JJ" Barnes, Meg Decker and Reese Jaramillo have the Hawks flying to ridiculous heights and will be tough for anyone to handle in D4 this weekend.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Seven Milwaukee-area teams head to state girls basketball tournaments
