Thursday’s Sectional Semifinal Games to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WIAA playoffs continue with sectional semifinal action across the state on Thursday. Here are the top four games worth monitoring...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(1) Westosha Central vs. (2) Whitnall - At Wilmot</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one very well could decide who heads to the state tournament. Westosha Central and Whitnall are a pair of top five ranked teams who both had surprising seasons to win their respective leagues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central is very reliant on sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1289064' first='Elijah' last='Griffin'], who's somehow managed to take what was supposed to be a rebuilding year and turn it into a 23-2 campaign. Griffin is posting 14 points and 7.4 assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitnall is going to counter with terrific guard play as well. At 22-3 overall, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1362736' first='Jack' last='Lutz'] (17.2 ppg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='963147' first='Austin' last='Herro'] (15.4 ppg), and [player_tooltip player_id='1300316' first='Myles' last='Herro'] (3.5 apg) have quietly been one of the best backcourts in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(1) Racine St. Catherine's vs. (2) St. Thomas More - At Greenfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you like points, this is the game for you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Cat's has been maybe the biggest surprise in the state this season. After going 18-10 last season, the Angels have turned that into a 25-1 campaign and a Metro Classic Conference title in 2022-23. This group might not have any stars, but they play together, get contributions from everywhere, and do it the right way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Thomas More does have stars. In fact, they've got a pair of Division 1 frontcourt players in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1142118' first='Amari' last='McCottry'] (23.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1203602' first='Sekou' last='Konneh'] (16.5 ppg). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams met twice this season with St. Cat's sweeping the regular season series. However, the most recent matchup with a 61-59 nail-biter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(1) Columbus vs. (2) Lakeside Lutheran - At Portage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams earned a share of the Capitol North Conference title and now they'll settle it in March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 19-6 overall, Columbus won the most recent meeting 49-46 on Feb. 3. Senior guard A.J. Uttech leads the way at 21.8 ppg, but the Cardinals are much more than a one-man show featuring a variety of role players who bring different elements to the table. Columbus has won its last eight games heading into Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking to cap off his terrific career, senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='981201' first='Levi' last='Birkholz'] (21.8 ppg) leads Lakeside Lutheran into this matchup. At 23-3 overall, are also riding an eight-game winning streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(6) Milwaukee Hamilton vs. (2) Middleton - At Sun Prairie East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A potential upset here in Division 1. Is this a trap game for Middleton, who might get caught looking ahead to a showdown with top seed Arrowhead in what would be a playoff rematch from last season? It's also a clash of styles with the run n' gun Wildcats versus a methodical Cardinal squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 20-6 overall, Hamilton has scored 80 or more points in 17 games this season, including seven games in which they've exceeded 100 points. The Milwaukee City Conference runner-ups have a terrific trio in Bradley commit [player_tooltip player_id='1138463' first='Demarion' last='Burch'] (27.4 ppg), senior center [player_tooltip player_id='981001' first='Simeon' last='Murchison'] (19.6 ppg), and junior guard Ky'Moni Hunt (16.4 ppg.).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Big Eight Conference champs, Middleton went 25-1. The Cardinals have shown the ability to win a lot of close games and make the key plays late. Winona State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1141638' first='Gavyn' last='Hurley'] (19. 5ppg) is the straw that stirs the drink, dabbling in all areas of the game and creating matchup problems as a 6-foot-4 point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->