The governing body of Wisconsin high school sports, commonly known as the WIAA, is about to put the wrap on the 2022-23 athletic season the next three weeks. That means right now it’s tourney time!
And given the yearly success that Waukesha County teams and athletes have had for many years in spring sports, look for the spring season to end with another bang.
I’m confident there are going to be numerous state championships, either as a team or as individuals. But before that happens, several county teams appear to be on collision course either in regional or sectional competition.
Girls softball competition started last week and all the divisions started playing this week. Several talented local teams will bump heads as early as today.
Kettle Moraine, seeded fourth, will host Oconomowoc (No. 5) on Thursday with the winner going to next week’s sectional. The two split a pair of Classic 8 Conference games this season.
Arrowhead is a No. 1 seed in another sectional and if things play out as expected, the Warhawks could host Sussex Hamilton in the sectional final a week from Thursday. Last year Hamilton trailed the Warhawks 80 in the sectional final at Oconomowoc only to rally
CHUCK DELSMAN
to stun the Warhawks as the Chargers advanced to state. Look for more of the same fireworks this season. Waukesha North, seeded third, is a dangerous team in that sectional.
Menomonee Falls is also a No. 1 seed and the Phoenix are enjoying another big season. But things won’t be easy as Cedarburg and Germantown are other two highly touted teams in that same sectional.
Muskego, second place finishers in the Classic 8, is the No. 3 seed in another sectional. A showdown with talented and top-seeded Oak Creek is a huge possibility. The Warriors won’t go down without a fight.
New Berlin Eisenhower is a No. 1 seed in Division 2 and the Lions should make a good run at a state tournament berth. A possible rematch with crosstown rival New Berlin West could take place this week.
Baseball teams will begin play next week in the tournament and once again the county has plenty of talented teams that should make state tournament runs. Several area teams could clash in regional and sectional play. The best team in the county is Menomonee Falls, who as of Monday morning had a 20-3 record after losing its last two games. Falls is the top seed in their sectional and a sectional final with second-seeded Arrowhead (16-6) could take place. Sussex Hamilton is the fourth seed in that sectional.
Muskego is a No. 3 seed and could make some noise in sectional eight.
In Division 2, New Berlin Eisenhower is a No. 2 seed and Pewaukee is a three. Those two teams appear on collision course in the sectional after battling each other this spring in the Woodland Conference.
Lake Country Lutheran is a No. 2 seed in Division 3. The Lightning (20-6) has had another good season and appears set to play top-seeded Deerfield in the sectional final.
The county is loaded with talented girls soccer teams again this year. That’s pretty much the case every season.
In Division 1, Sussex Hamilton (No. 2 seed), Arrowhead three and Brookfield East four are all in the same sectional, making for some brilliant competition. Muskego is a top seed this season and Kettle Moraine is a very dangerous fourth seed.
One D-2 sectional is loaded with top county teams. Pewaukee is a powerful No. 1 seed and they might have to do battle with third-seeded Waukesha West or fifth-seeded Brookfield Central.
A Division 3 sectional is loaded with three strong local teams. New Berlin Eisenhower is the top seed in that sectional and in that same sectional are No. 2 New Berlin West and No. 3 Catholic Memorial. Brookfield Academy is a No. 2 seed in Division 4.
Boys golf will begin tourney play next week and one of the Division 1 brackets has three area teams that have played against each other all season in the Classic 8 Conference and numerous tournaments. The sad part is that all three, who have beaten each other, Arrowhead, Waukesha North and Oconomowoc are in the same sectional and only two teams will advance from that sectional. All three have state tournament talent. Boys and girls track and field sectionals will be held this Thursday and the top competitors from those meets will advance to the prestigious season-ending state tournament next week.
Boys tennis and boys and girls lacrosse postseasons will also be held this week and next.
It should be a fun next three weeks. Once again look for our county athletes and teams to do well.
