The first-ever five-division WIAA boys basketball torunament tips off later this week.  Plenty of observers, myself included, have offered their opionions about whether this five-division plan is good or bad for high school basketball in this state, and whether there are other options that could be better.  For now, I’m going to put that topic aside–let’s just watch this tournament unfold, and then offer up the observations afterward.

However, as has been my custom prior to many of the WIAA tourneys, I’ll try to navigate my way through the brackets and see how close I can come to getting the state tournament field picked correctly.  I’m armed with plenty of confidence after correctly picking 9 of the 12 teams at WIAA state hockey.

DIVISION 1

It’s interesting to wonder how these brackets would have looked a few years ago, when Eau Claire North wound up as the local sectional representative in back-to-back seasons.  But that was then, this is now.   The Huskies outlasted Hudson in an epic overtime battle in the 2009 regional final, but this season’s matchup comes in a regional semifinal (the only semi in that entire corner of the bracket–kind of like an NCAA  ”play-in” game).

North’s lone win this season was at home over Hudson, so the Huskies should have some confidence going on the road, although they lost by 19 on the Raiders’ home court in the earlier matchup.   Since that win over Hudson, however, ECN has lost three straight by a combined total of 52 points.  If head coach Aric Carpenter can sell his guys on the philosophy that the regular season record doesn’t matter, then the Huskies have a fighting chance in this matchup.  North should be a loose team heading on the road, and if shooters like Alex Cole and Tyler Hermann heat up, the Huskies should compete.  However, teams tend to shoot better in their own gym, so, I’ll give this one to Hudson.

Still, whoever wins this game may be able to give top-seeded D.C. Everest a battle in the regional final.  Hudson only lost by 4 on DCE’s court during the BRC/WVC Challenge over the holidays.  That being said, I’ll go with the Evergreens over the Raiders in another close one.  

La Crosse Central at Wausau West should be an entertaining game, but I’ll stick with home court advantage and say the Warriors will edge the Red Raiders.  Likewise, if Chippewa Falls vs. Superior was at a neutral site, I’d lean toward the Cardinals, because in Tyson Kalien, Chi-Hi is the one team in this entire section that has a player who’s capable of going off for 30+ points on a given night.  However, the game is on the Spartans’ home court, and in Joel Lindberg, Superior has the section’s most complete player. 

Eau Claire Memorial has some matchup issues with #2 seed Marshfield.  The Tigers lineup boasts 5 players 6-5 or better, including 6-9 Cale Zuiker (17.1 ppg), a Youngstown State recruit. The tallest Old Abes regular, meanwhile, is 6-4 Pat Hince.  Here’s another instance where I’d be tempted to pick ECM in an upset if the game were at the Eagles’ Nest.  But it’s not…so I’ll take the Tigers.

Sectional semis: Wausau West upsets DCE, Superior edges Marshfield
Sectional final: Superior over Wausau West
Super Tuesday: Bay Port defeats Superior

Other Super Tuesday games: Arrowhead over Wisconsin Rapids, Milwaukee Riverside over Madison Memorial, Milwaukee Hamilton over Burlington   

DIVISION 2

New Richmond’s only loss this season was by 15 points at Middle Border Conference rival Baldwin-Woodville, an up-and-down team that wound up 14-8 overall.  B-W also played the Tigers tough in New Richmond, before falling by 3.  Here’s the good news for NR: B-W drops down to Division 3.   NR already has a win over River Falls this season, plus preseason section favorite Onalaska has been decimated by injuries, so I’ll say the Tigers, with extremely underrated coach Rick Montreal orchestrating things from the bench, run the table all the way to Madison. 

Regional quarterfinals: Hayward over Menomonie, Rice Lake over Ashland, Tomah over Sparta.
Regional semifinals:  New Richmond over Hayward, River Falls over Rice Lake, Onalaska over Tomah, La Crosse Logan over Holmen.
Regional finals: New Richmond over River Falls, Onalaska over La Crosse Logan
Sectional semifinals: New Richmond over Onalaska, Merrill over Antigo
Sectional final: New Richmond over Merrill

Other sectional winners: Waunakee, Seymour, Wauwatosa East

DIVISION 3

Plenty of local teams that used to be in Division 2, drop down for this season, creating a fairly entertaining bracket.  Of those teams, the best is 20-2 Ladysmith.  The Lumberjacks aren’t unbeatable–they lost their opener to Cameron, plus a late-season game at Hayward (scoring 59 points in each loss)–but they’re the one team that has a chance to knock off state power La Crosse Aquinas.   In Eric Effertz (14 ppg), the ‘Jacks have one of the most dynamic players  in the section, but Ladysmith’s real strength is its balance: Ryley Closs averages 12.5 ppg, Brent Sisko 11.4, Todd Sarauer 9.4, Zach Mulholland 8.1.   However, there’s no better player in this section than Aquinas sophomore Bronson Koenig, who’s already received a scholarship offer from North Carolina, among other Division I programs, including both Wisconsin and Marquette.  

Regional quarterfinals: Somerset over Amery, SCC over SCF, Cumberland over Bloomer, Spooner over Barron, Northwestern over Chetek-Weyerhaeuser, Ellsworth over Durand, Baldwin-Woodville over Mondovi, Neillsville over Arcadia, BRF over West Salem.

Regional semifinals: Unity over Somerset, Osceola over SCC, Ladysmith over Cumberland, Spooner over Northwestern, Altoona over Ellsworth, Baldwin-Woodville over Prescott, Aquinas over Neilsville, G-E-T over BRF.
Regional finals: Osceola over Unity, Ladysmith over Spooner, Altoona over Baldwin-Woodville, Aquinas over G-E-T.

Sectional semifinals: Ladysmith over Osceola, Aquinas over Altoona.
Sectional final:  Ladysmith (yes, I’m going out on a limb here, but in a one-game situation, I think the Lumberjacks catch the Blugolds napping)

Other sectional winners: Lakeside Lutheran, Roncalli, Dominican.

DIVISION 4

A Regis vs. Blair-Taylor state semifinal game is a real possibility, but both teams will have to navigate their way through their respective sectional brackets.  The Ramblers have been good all season, but as so often happens with a Bill Uelmen-coached team, Regis seems to be playing its best when it counts the most.   Beyond that, Uelmen now has athletic 6-3 senior Joe Lorenz back in the playing rotation–Lorenz missed most of the season with an injury suffered in the Ramblers’ final football game.   Speaking of athleticism, there aren’t many better than Blair-Taylor 6-3 senior Hank Kujak.  If I weren’t on the WIAA broadcast crew, I’d probably buy a ticket to watch this game…but if it does happen, my guess is that I’ll have a pretty good seat. 

Chippewa Falls Sectional

Regional quarterfinals: Glenwood City over Clear Lake, Webster over Boyceville, Chequamegon over Washburn, Phillips over Hurley, Elk Mound over Augusta, O-F over Fall Creek, Colfax over Cadott, Abby over O-W, S-B over Athens.
Regional semifinals: Grantsburg over Glenwood City, Spring Valley over Webster, Cameron over Chequamegon, Flambeau over Phillips, Regis over Elk Mound, Colfax over O-F, Colby over Abby, Thorp over S-B.
Regional finals: Spring Valley over Grantsburg, Cameron over Flambeau, Regis over Colfax, Colby over Thorp.

Sectional semifinals:  Spring Valley over Cameron, Regis over Colby.
Sectional final: Regis over Spring Valley.

Baraboo Sectional

Regional quarterfinals:  The only upset (i.e., a lower seed beating a higher seed) I’m forecasting is Eleva-Strum over Necedah.
Regional semifinals: Form prevails, with the higher seeded teams advancing.
Regional finals: Ditto

Sectional semifinals: Blair-Taylor over Westby, Cuba City over Deerfield.
Sectional final: Blair-Taylor over Cuba City (although it’s tough to pick against a Jerry Pettitgoue-coached team–ever)

Other sectional winners: Marathon, Laconia 

DIVISION 5

Another instance where we could have an all-local state semifinal matchup, and a dilemma for those of us on the broadcast crew.  We love having Cuba City coach Jerry Pettigoue and Benton coach Jim Blaine as color commentators, but you know both guys would much rather be coaching at state.  We don’t take offense–hopefully, they won’t take any from my “homer” picks against them…

Spooner Sectional

Regional quarterfinals: no upsets
Regional semifinals: no upsets
Regional finals: Luck over Siren, Mellen over Drummond, Clayton over Gilman, Marshfield Columbus over Prentice

Sectional semifinals:  Luck over Mellen, Clayton over Marshfield Columbus
Sectional final: Clayton over Luck

La Crosse Central Sectional

Regional quarterfinals: no upsets
Regional semifinals: no upsets
Regional finals: Gilmanton over Plum City, Royall over Hillsboro, Seneca over Wauzeka-Stuben, Benton over Potosi

Sectional semifinals: Gilmanton over Royall, Benton over Seneca
Sectional final: Gilmanton over Benton

Other sectional winners: GB NEW Lutheran, Randolph

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to post your comments below.  We’re almost to the time when we’re done talking about what might happen–now we’ll get to see things decided on the court, as they should be.  This is a very special time of the year, so make sure you get out to a few games along the tournament trail.  As always, we in the WQOW News 18 Sports Department, plus the WIAA Network, will be working long hours to provide outstanding coverage throughout the next weeks.

Good luck to all the teams and coaches, and we’ll see you in Madison!

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

It’s time to drop the puck!  Tonight begins an exciting three weeks to cap off the high school hockey season, as the WIAA Regionals get underway.  As I’ve done before, I’ll make my picks for which 8 boys and 4 girls teams will advance to Madison, knowing full well that the unexpected often happens in high school sports, especially in hockey, where the goalie factor looms large in determining outcomes.

BOYS:

CHIPPEWA FALLS SECTIONAL
There’s no guarantee that Eau Claire Memorial will win this sectional, but if the Old Abes don’t, it’ll be an upset of epic proportions.  ECM has not had a close game with any of the teams in this bracket, so it’s hard to pick against the Abes, who simply are the most talented, deepest, and seasoned team of this group.   Put it this way: if ECM is not at state, I’ll eat a page out of my tournament program.

Regional semis: RMB over Ashland, Hayward over Medford, Altoona over EC North
Regional finals: ECM over RMB, Chequamegon/Phillips over Marshfield, Chi-Hi over Hayward, Rice Lake over North

Sectional semis: ECM over C/P, Chi-Hi over Rice Lake
Sectional final: ECM over Chi-Hi

NEW RICHMOND SECTIONAL
In recent years, I’ve thought Superior’s stranglehold on the “western” sectional will come to an end, but the Spartans always prove me wrong.  Still, I feel compelled to buck tradition by making my traditional non-traditional pick of some other team.   Even though most teams in the state would love to have a down year by Superior’s standards, I think the talent gap has evened out quite a bit this season.

Regional semis: Somerset over Baldwin-Woodville, Siren Co-Op Blizzard over Barron, Amery over Spooner
Regional finals: Superior over Somerset, Hudson over River Falls, Menomonie over Siren, New Richmond over Amery

Sectional semis: Superior over Hudson, New Richmond over Menomonie
Sectional final: New Richmond over Superior

As far as the other sectionals, here are my picks for the remaining six boys teams that’ll advance to state: GB Notre Dame, Marquette, Middleton, USM, Onalaska, & Wausau West.

GIRLS:

CHIPPEWA FALLS SECTIONAL
I realize the St. Croix Valley Fusion has lost a few games this season, but this program always seems to save its best for the playoffs.  Could they lose before state? Sure, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

Regional Finals: Fusion over Superior, Chi-Hi/Menomonie over Hudson, ECA Stars over Siren, Hayward/Spooner over New Richmond.

Sectional semifinals: Fusion over Chi-Hi/Menomonie, ECA Stars over Hayward/Spooner
Sectional final: Fusion over ECA Stars

Other sectional winners: Fond du Lac/Waupun, Central Wisconsin Storm, Sun Prairie.

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to post your picks in the comment section below.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

As before, I’ll be blogging in reverse chronological order.  In other words, the most recent comments will be toward the top.  Keep hitting refresh on your browser to keep things updated.  Enjoy the game–I’m already like a kid on Christmas.

GIVE THEM THE BELT…AND THE LOMBARDI TROPHY
The Packers defense, without Charles Woodson, stuffs the Steelers.  The Lombardi Trophy is headed back to Green Bay for a 4th time.  Lucky 13: it’s the 13th NFL championship for the Pack.  Time to celebrate!

FOXIFIED
A Keyaron Fox penalty on Pittsburgh’s kick return moves the Steelers back to their own 18.   From the department of the obvious: the outcome of SB XLV results on the outcome of this drive.  From the department of the incredibly obvious: Fox’ penalty is now up for Dumbest of Game.

DOES DEFENSE HAVE ENOUGH?
The GB drive doesn’t end in a TD, but the Packers put points on the board, so at the very least, the Steelers can’t tie it with a FG.  Can the Pack come up with one more takeaway, or will Roethlisberger engineer a drive that makes up for his previous mistakes?  Whatever happens, the tension in here is thick.  Real thick.

AND AS I’M TYPING THAT
Rodgers throws a beautiful back shoulder fade to Jones.

DART TO JENNINGS, NEXT NAILS IN COFFIN OF FAVRE COMPARISONS 
If Rodgers’ toss to Jennings on 3rd & 10 not only keeps the drive alive, but it’s one more step towards silencing the endless comparison’s to the QB’s predecessor.  What was that guy’s name again?

SPANISH STATION DOESN’T PLAY D, THOUGH
Pittsburgh stays in the game with a TD drive against the depleted GB secondary, and a 2-point conversion.   Packers still lead, 28-25, with 7:34 to go.  Is everyone enjoying the drama of SB XLV?  I am, although it’s agonizing…

SPANISH MUSIC TO MY EARS
Every Green Bay scoring drive has happened when I’ve flipped my radio to the Spanish-speaking channel.  Spanish karma? At least if they’re dogging the Packers, I don’t really understand it, except for a few words, like, “pelota.” 

CATCHING PASSES IS WONDERFUL WHEN THE QB KEEPS THROWING DARTS
Rodgers’ accuracy is the reason Green Bay is winning this game.  Or, in the alternative, Roethlisberger’s inaccuracy is one major reason why Pittsburgh is losing.

OR JORDY NELSON, FOR THAT MATTER
‘Cause he caught his next one.

I DON”T CARE HOW MANY PASSES JAMES JONES HAS DROPPED
As long as he catches the next one….like that last one, for a key 3rd down converstion to keep the drive alive.

MOMENTUM STEMMED
Rashard Mendenhall coughs up the football after a hit by Clay Matthews, and the fumble was recovered by Desmond Bishop.  The Packers defense comes up with another stop, and a third takeaway.

GLAD THAT’S OVER
An abominable 3rd quarter comes to an end, and not a moment too soon.  Can we get another musical act out there on the field to kill some time so the Packers can regroup?  Pittsburgh starts the 4th quarter on the Green Bay 33.   The illegal man downfield penalty on Diyral Briggs was a killer, giving the Steelers an additional 18 yards of field position.

WHAT I JUST SAID
Brett Swain is the target of another Rodgers pass, and the result is Green Bay’s 5th dropped pass of the game.  Mike McCarthy’s challenge doesn’t hold up, but at the very least, the Packers get a few moments to regroup, even though they burned a timeout.  Pittsburgh has 1 timeout remaning in this 2nd half; Green Bay has 2.  

BRETT SWAIN THE TARGET OF THAT PASS
Really?  When was the last time that happened?  The home opener vs. Buffalo?

SUISHAM MEANS MISS IN SPANISH
Actually, it doesn’t.  I’m just giddy that my final score prediction (posted earlier on this blog) of GB 28, PIT 24, is still very doable.

SO WAS THAT
Clay Matthews almost had Green Bay’s 3rd INT of the game.

THAT WAS CLOSE
Ben Roethlisberger’s pass to Mike Wallace is just overthrown, otherwise it’s another TD for Pittsburgh.  Wallace had left Charlie Peprah in his wake, and it’s an easy score if the pass is on target.

SNOOZING?
Westwood One radio analyst Dan Fouts just wondered aloud whether the Packers took a nap at halftime.   It’s hard to imagine anyone in this enclosed stadium sleeping during that auditory assault of the halftime show.  Rather, I’m guessing that the medical staff was awfully busy in the GB locker room. 

GOOD THING I PRAISED THE PACKERS OFFENSE
Two 3-and-outs to start the 2nd half.   Huge momentum shift here at Cowboys stadium

MAYBE THAT SB EXPERIENCE COUNTS FOR SOMETHING
Pittsburgh takes advantage of Green Bay’s mistakes and injuries, as the Steelers drive the ball 50 yards on 5 plays.  Rashard Mendenhall hauls it in from 8 yards out, and we’ve got ourselves a game.  Before everyone in Wisconsin goes into a panic, the Packers still lead the game, and Aaron Rodgers is still the team’s quarterback.  Best of all, my final score prediction Packers 28, Steelers 24, is still very much intact.

LONG TIME OFF THE FIELD
The Packers offense had been on the sidelines or in the locker room for more than 30 minutes.  The first drive includes a penalty and a dropped TD pass.  Green Bay’s special teams then contributes to the slow start by committing a face mask penalty on punt coverage.

WHILE THIS IS GOING ON…

 

Both teams have a chance to make adjustments.  The Steelers may take more shots downfield, especially if the Packers secondary is still depleted, but Pittsburgh’s problem in the first half was turnovers.  Offensively, Green Bay is moving the ball, thanks to Rodgers’ accuracy, and a very good job by the Packers O-line, which is keeping the QB upright.

UP 11, BUT…
Injuries are now piling up for the Packers.  Besides Driver, Woodson & Sam Shields both have shoulder injuries, while Collins needed an IV, presumably for dehydration.   Green Bay has been able to plug guys in all year to replace injured players, but this is a lot of injuries to key players at the absolute worst time.  This puts a ton of pressure on the Packers offense, but if Rodgers keeps playing even close to his 1st half level, that unit could carry Green Bay to a Super Bowl win.

THE BUSH BASHERS ARE MAKING AS MUCH NOISE AS THE STEELERS FANS
Bush gets spun around by veteran wide receiver Hines Ward on an 8-yard TD toss by Roethlisberger, who leads a scoring drive after committing two very costly turnovers. 

GOOD AND NOT GOOD
Charles Woodson makes a great play to break up a pass, but he is slow getting to the sideline, with an injury. Woodson stayed in for a play, but then takes himself out.  Pat Lee now into the game, and it’s Lee giving Hines Ward plenty of room on a pass down to the GB 26.  On the play, Roethlisberger took a big hit from B.J. Raji. 

GB INJURY
WR Donald Driver has left the field with an apparent leg injury.

WHICH QB HAS SB EXPERIENCE?
Dart #3 from Rodgers, travels 21 yards through a small window, winds up in the hands of Greg Jennings for a Packers TD.   Rodgers now has a passer rating of 134.6, compared to  29.8 for Roethlisberger.    

WE MAY HAVE TO DROP THE WORDS “MUCH-MALIGNED” PRIOR TO HIS NAME
Jarrett Bush picks off Roethlisberger, giving the Packers the football on their own 46.  Remember when the message board haters wanted to run Bush right out of Green Bay?  Then again, these were the people dumping on TT & MM for letting BF go. 

STAND BY FOR THE GLOW STICKS
We have all been informed, via the largest video board in captivity, as well as the 100-decibel sound system, how to help participate in the halftime show.  This is fitting, because the media here at SB XLV has been herded around like cattle for the better part of the week.  It’s only logical to expect that the halftime show organizers think they can boss us around as well.  Just for that, I will not break my glow stick, I will not wave it around, nor will I be participating in any way, shape, or form.  Thank you.

DROPPING LIKE STEELERS
Another injury for Pittsburgh, as WR Emmanuel Sanders is sidelined with a knee injury.

I’LL CALL THAT A WIN FOR THE GB D
The Steelers have to settle for a field goal on Pittsburgh’s 1st scoring drive.  

CUE THAT PIANO MAN 
Roethlisberger is trying to atone for his pick 6 to Collins, by leading Pittsburgh’s most promising drive of the game so far, which included an 18-yard scramble by the QB.  Maybe the piano music is getting a little more upbeat over there in Fort Worth…

INJURY BUGGING OTHER TEAM
Steelers CB Bryant McFadden has a hip injury, his return is questionable.  Pittsburgh OT Flozell Adams has a shoulder injury, his return is also questionable.

BIG BEN BIG TURNOVER
Green Bay forces the game’s 1st turnover, as a pass rush forces a bad throw by Ben Roethlisberger, which leads to an easy pick for Nick Collins.  The run back was not so easy, as Collins weaved his way 37 yards into the end zone.  Somewhere in Fort Worth, at a piano bar, they’re playing sad music for Ben & his O-line. 

DART #2, 12 TO 87, FOR 6
Can we never hear the name Brett Favre ever again when talking about Aaron Rodgers?  Doubtful, as long as E!SPN is using focus groups to dictate content…but if there are any Rodgers doubters still out there, please rewind that TD toss to Jordy Nelson and watch it a few times.   The Pack tried that play earlier in the quarter, but it didn’t work. They went back to it for 6 points and the 1st TD of SBXLV.   

HAVE WE MENTIONED HE’S GOOD?
On every one of  these late season and playoff blogs, I’ve made a mention about Tramon Williams’ ability.  His outstanding coverage to break up a pass intended for Heath Miller ends a promising Pittsburgh drive.  After a punt, it’s Packers ball on their own 20, as Green Bay gets set for its second drive of the game.

STALEMATE
Rodgers just overthrows Jordy Nelson on a go route down the sideline, forcing Green Bay’s 1st punt of the game.   Now, it’s Steelers ball from their own 20.  Maybe all these people who forecasted a defensive struggle were accurate.

1ST DART THROWN
Rodgers connects with Donald Driver (who celebrated his 36th birthday this past Wednesday) for a 23 yard gain on 3rd down, to keep the Packers opening drive alive.

BULLET DODGED
On what could have been a really awful early turnover, when Tramon Williams muffed the punt. Credit the guys at the bottom of the pile for recovering the ball.

GREAT START FOR GB D
After a return by Antonio Bryant to the Steelers 36, Pittsburgh goes 3 & out, including a very errant pass by Ben Roethlisberger on 3rd down.  On 2nd down, Frank Zombo (playing for the injured Erik Walden) dropped Rashard Mendenhall for a 3-yard loss.

FINAL COUNTDOWN
As we get ready for kickoff, it’s time to reflect on an incredibly busy week of reporting from North Texas, but as we get ready to get it going here at Cowboys Stadium, it’s all been worth it and then some. Predictions: Packers 28, Steelers 24.  Also, I’m taking the over (no money, of course, entertainment purposes only) on the 1:54 anthem, and the 6-second “brave.”

BETTER SIGHTLINES THAN SOLDIER FIELD

Here’s the view from my seat.  We’re really crammed in up here, but nobody’s complaining.  If this were a preseason game, maybe…

WHICH MEANS NO BIG MAN BACKFIELD
The Packers used a extra-jumbo formation against both the Falcons & Bears, lining up Quinn Johnson and B.J. Raji in the backfield as lead blockers for John Kuhn.   In the former game, the play run out of that formation was Kuhn carrying the ball into the end zone behind the big guys.  In the latter, at Soldier Field, Aaron Rodgers ran a naked bootleg out of the exact same formation for a TD.  Now, with Johnson inactive, you wonder whether we’ve seen the last of that goal-line offense, or whether another big body takes Johnson’s spot.

INACTIVES
Packers: Graham Harrell (3rd QB), Dimitri Nance, Brandon Underwood, Josh Gordy, Quinn Johnson, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Nick McDonald, Erik Walden.
Steelers: Charlie Batch, Jonathan Dwyer, Crezdon Butler, Chris Scott, Steve McLendon, Dorian Brooks, Aaron Smith, Jason Worilds.

Posted under Hometown Sports