Basketball tips off this week in the Badger state and the 2009 NY2LA Sports Classic is the place to be for anyone looking for great action this upcoming weekend. The 3rd annual event will feature games November 27-28, 2009 involving some of the top boys and girls teams in the state of Wisconsin this year. The action will take place at Nicolet High School, Milwaukee Pius XI High School, and Whitefish Bay Dominican on both days with some excellent prospects set to take the court at this year's event. The boys action will feature games at the varsity, JV, and frosh levels while the girls portion of the event will offer up a loaded field of girls varsity action.
The Girls side of this year's Classic is ridiculously loaded with talented prospects and high powered teams. Here's a rundown of what you can expect to see this weekend if you take in some games at Pius XI where all the Girls Varsity basketball games will be played...
(Note: Listed in alphabetical order)
Arrowhead
Game 1: Wisconsin Lutheran (Friday November 27, 2009 - 1:45 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Game 2: Franklin (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 3:30 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Coach Hamilton returns a number of players from last year's 10-11 squad and while they are young they have a chance to make some noise this season if everything falls into place. 6-1 Sr. F Courtney Gaberino, 5-10 Jr. G Jessica Goetz, and 6-2 So. C Jenny Smith are some of the top returning players who'll need to take their games to another level this season for Arrowhead. They tip off on Friday against a strong experienced Wisconsin Lutheran squad that stands to be one of the best in the state this season. Arrowhead follows that up on Saturday with a matchup against an always tough Franklin squad, which should give Coach Hamilton and her girls a couple of solid tests to kick off the season.
Brookfield Central
Game: Mukwonago (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 5:15 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
If you don't know you better ask somebody quickly because BC has all the makings of holding up the trophy at the end of the season if everything falls into place. Coach Wandrey is loaded this season with depth and talent along with a number of returning players from a squad that finished 22-2 last season. 5-10 Sr. G Erin Lueder is the straw that stirs the drink while 5-10 Jr. F Valerie Rose-Agnello and 6-1 Sr. F Jesse Thomas are two more weapons at Coach Wandrey's disposal this year. Central is strong, experienced, and one of the premiere teams in the state this year. They'll tip off on Saturday against Mukwonago in one of the must see matchups of this weekend in what promises to be an excellent contest between two powerful teams this season.
Divine Savior Holy Angels (DSHA)
Game 1: Milwaukee Vincent (Friday November 27, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Game 2: Pius XI (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Coach Witt looks to follow up last year's 19-4 campaign with another strong season and despite losing a few key players, DSHA returns a number of quality young players looking to make their mark this season. 5-8 Sr. G Kelly Brandeburg and 6-0 Jr. F Erin Levenhagen will need to come up big this season for Coach Witt if DSHA expects to repeat its success last year. Also, keep an eye on 6-1 Sr. F Lauren Heeg who may be counted on to play a key role for the Dashers this season. They'll step right into the fire with a Friday matchup against 3 time defending state champion Milwaukee Vincent before following that up on Saturday with another quality showdown against rival Pius XI. This weekend promises to give Coach Witt a great early season test and if history is any indication, you can expect DSHA to step up to the challenge.
Franklin
Game 1: Mukwonago (Friday November 27, 2009 - 5:15 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Game 2: Arrowhead (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 3:30 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
The Lady Sabers turned in a solid 17-6 campaign last year and Coach Kluth will look to build on that with another strong showing this season. Two key returnees for Franklin are 5-7 Jr. G/F Mariah Hill and 5-7 Jr. G/F Taylor Atkinson. Both Hill and Atkinson will need to come up big for the Lady Sabers this season if they expect to repeat the success of last year. One young promising talent who could also play a big role is 5-10 So. C Alicia Dentici. Franklin tips off with Mukwonago in a powerful matchup of two excellent programs. The Lady Sabers bounce back on Saturday against a hungry Arrowhead squad looking to make their mark at the Lady Sabers expense. Two good early season matchups for Coach Kluth and his Lady Sabers this weekend.
Homestead
Game: Pewaukee (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 1:45 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
A new coach and a young team have Homestead starting the season with lots of questions to answer after turning in a solid 18-5 campaign last year. Coach Heuser returns a few key players from last season's squad and they're going to have to turn in some solid performances this season if Homestead expects to repeat their success of last year. 5-5 Sr. G Natalie Sperling, 5-4 Sr. G Sarah Block, 5-5 SR. G Megan Geschke and 5-8 Jr. F Siena Mitman will all play key roles for Coach Heuser this season. Promising young 5-10 So. F Hannah Young could also play a key role for Homestead as well this season. Coach Heuser and his squad tip off on Saturday against an always tough Pewaukee squad in what promises to be an excellent early season test for Homestead.
Muskego
Game: Nicolet (Friday November 27, 2009 - 3:30 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Another of powerful teams in this year's event, Muskego returns a number of key players from a squad that turned in a 21-2 campaign last season. Coach Hirtz has his eyes on a state ship this season and it all starts with 6-0 Sr. F Katie Ellerson, one of the top interior prospects in the state this season. Mix in 5-9 Sr. G Sarah Mlachnik and 6-2 Sr. F/C Rachell Neuberger and Muskego has the recipe for an excellent season this year. They hit the court on Friday against a loaded Nicolet squad in what promises to be one of the premiere matchups of the weekend with two of the best teams in the state this season set to collide.
Mukwonago
Game 1: Franklin (Friday November 27, 2009 - 5:15 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Game 2: Brookfield Central (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 5:15 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
It was heartbreak for Mukwonago last season as they finished the regular season undefeated and on top of the polls before falling to eventual champion Milwaukee Vincent in the playoffs. Fresh off a breakout campaign last year, Coach Butalla has her girls primed and ready for another strong showing this season with a number of key returnees from last year's 22-1 squad. 5-11 Sr. F Morgan Lamberg, 5-9 Sr. G/F Shannon Perez and 5-7 Sr. G Emily Romdenne are all expected to log heavy minutes and play key roles for Coach Butalla this season. It doesn't stop there are Mukwonago will also feature promising up and coming talent in the likes of 6-0 Sr. F/C Haley Dolata and 6-1 So. F/C Lauren Bane. They'll tip off on Friday in an excellent matchup against Franklin before taking the court Saturday in another of the must see matchups of the weekend when they lock up with a powerful Brookfield Central squad.
New Berlin Eisenhower
Game: Pius XI (Friday November 27, 2009 - 8:45 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Eisenhower returns a number of key players from last year's 17-4 squad and Coach Schmidt and his girls have the makings of another big time team this season. It all starts with 6-1 Jr. F Anna Hahn, one of the premiere 2011 prospects in the state of Wisconsin. 5-5 Sr. G Megan Tkachuk and 5-10 Sr. F Kali Shandley are also expected to play key roles as well this season for Eisenhower. Coach Schmidt and his squad lock up on Friday against a loaded Pius XI team in what promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the weekend.
Nicolet
Game 1: Muskego (Friday November 27, 2009 - 3:30 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Game 2: Milwaukee Vincent (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 8:45 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Don't look now but Coach Wolf has a team hungry with eyes on a trip to Madison this season. They are talented, deep, and have some excellent size. 6-4 Jr. F/C Alex Cohen is one of the most coveted 2011 prospects around and promises to be one of the major forces this year for Nicolet. 5-9 Jr. G Ashley Green and 6-0 Jr. G Gaby Bronson are two other key performers for Coach Wolf who stand to play major roles in the success of Nicolet this season. Mix in promising young 5-11 So. G Becca Olin and its easy to see why all eyes are on Nicolet who look to build on a 15-7 campaign last season. They'll tip off with Muskego on Friday in what is a must see matchup of the early season and a great early season test. Saturday they lock up with 3 time defending state champion in what promises to be one of the premiere matchups of the season.
Pewaukee
Game: Homestead (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 1:45 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Pewaukee looks to follow up on a strong 17-6 campaign last season and Coach Hansen has a number of talented players looking to make their mark. 5-10 Sr. G Hannah Frett, 5-7 Sr. G Shannon Kalamarz, 5-9 So. G/F Jordyn Swan, and promising young 5-11 So. F Emily Wirth are all expected to play key roles for Pewaukee this season. Always well coached, Pewaukee tips off on Saturday against a hungry Homestead squad in what should be an entertaining contest and a nice early test for Coach Hansen and his girls.
Pius XI
Game 1: New Berlin Eisenhower (Friday November 27, 2009 - 8:45 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Game 2: DSHA (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
A heartbreaking end of season loss last year has Coach Herrick his deep and experienced Lady Popes hungry and looking to for a trip to Madison and more this year. 6-1 Sr. F Kelly Frings is one of the top 2010 prospects in the state while 5-7 Jr. G Nikki Nellen, 5-5 Jr. G Tiera Bender, and 5-5 So. G Terri Bender are also expected to play key roles this season for Pius XI. They are primed and loaded for an excellent season and this weekend promises to give them two great tests to see where they're at. Friday they lock up with a strong New Berlin Eisenhower squad in another excellent matchup while Saturday they take to the court against cross-town rival DSHA in classic showdown that promises to have the gym buzzing with excitement.
Milwaukee Vincent
Game 1: DSHA (Friday November 27, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Game 2: Nicolet (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 8:45 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Following a script set in the 80's by Milwaukee Pius XI, Head Coach Marquis Hines and Milwaukee Vincent are the measuring stick for girls basketball in the state of Wisconsin right now and the three time defending state champions are looking to hold the trophy again at the end of the season. 6-6 Sr. F/C and Oklahoma commit Nicole Griffin is the premiere talent in the country this year and an obvious key member of the Vincent squad. 5-6 Sr. G Chelan Landry, 5-10 Sr. F Teaira Martin, and 5-5 Jr. G Tynika Rogers are all expected to play key roles as well for Coach Hines this season. Don't sleep on 5-5 So. G Sydney Howard who's one of the promising young talents on the rise in the state. The state title goes through Milwaukee Vincent right now and Coach Hines is loaded once again as they head into two excellent matchups this weekend. They'll tip off on Friday against an always tough DSHA squad and Saturday they get another big test in Nicolet, which offers up a great individual matchup as well between the 6-6 Sr. Griffin and 6-4 Jr. Alex Cohen of Nicolet.
Wisconsin Lutheran
Game: Arrowhead (Friday November 27, 2009 - 1:45 p.m. - Pius XI High School)
Always regarded one of the best coaches around for years, Coach Tatge heads into this year with a loaded Lady Vikings squad looking for a trip to Madison and a possible state title if everything falls into place. There is a long way to go but Wisconsin Lutheran is deep, talented, and well coached. 6-0 Sr. F Jenny Ebeling, 5-11 Sr. F Kelli Johnson, 5-7 Sr. G Emily DeNoyer, and 5-8 Sr. F Jordan Fischer are all expected to play key roles for the Lady Vikings who are looking to build on last season's 17-6 campaign. They'll tip off on Friday against the upstart Arrowhead squad who promise to give the Lady Vikings all they can handle in a great early season test for Coach Tatge and his team.