FREEROLL: BOYS BASKETBALL REGIONAL FINAL DIGEST
Division 5 – Boys WIAA Playoffs
#1 Newman Catholic vs. #4 Columbus Catholic
Newman Catholic:
Overall Record: 22-4
Conference Record: 14-2
PPG: 70.3
Number of Seniors: 8
Seed Score: 66.901 (2nd)
Strength of Schedule: 0.591 (4th)
Defeated Opponents Strength: 0.537 (3rd)
Columbus Catholic:
Overall Record: 19-7
Conference Record: 11-3
PPG: 63.2
Number of Seniors: 2
Seed Score: 55.431 (20th)
Strength of Schedule: 0.516 (40th)
Defeated Opponents Strength: 0.404 (30th)
2022-2023 Matchups: None
Newman was in control of the game against Assumption most of the way, but foul trouble couldn’t close the door on the pesky Royals. Newman held on for a frustrating 66-55 win to advance to the Regional Finals. The foe is a familiar opponent in Columbus Catholic. The Dons ended Newman’s season last year at the Sectional level before losing in the Sectional Finals. Columbus Catholic took care of business on their home floor against Almond-Bancroft 72-47 and continue to play good basketball at the right time. Columbus’s zone could give Newman a tough time, but the Dons haven’t played someone as good as Newman since Christmas, especially if the Cardinals stay out of foul trouble. Good shooting will keep the Dons in this one and this has a chance to be a special game and is a must see game. On a neutral floor the advantage might even be to Columbus Catholic, but the game is at the Nest. If you have the chance to see one game Saturday night, make the drive to Wausau for this one.
Dan Ross Prediction: Newman Catholic
Jason Zaleski Prediction: Newman Catholic
#2 Pacelli vs. #6 Port Edwards
Pacelli:
Overall Record: 23-3
Conference Record: 12-0
PPG: 71.7
Number of Seniors: 2
Seed Score: 61.024 (9th)
Strength of Schedule: 0.458 (69th)
Defeated Opponents Strength: 0.417 (25th)
Port Edwards:
Overall Record: 17-8
Conference Record: 8-4
PPG: 63.8
Number of Seniors: 4
Seed Score: 51.790 (29th)
Strength of Schedule: 0.440 (74th)
Defeated Opponents Strength: 0.353 (45th)
2022-2023 Previous Matchups: Pacelli won twice: 69-53 (Jan. 17) and 70-58 (Feb. 25)
Pacelli hasn’t been tested yet in the postseason, notching easy wins against double digit CWC-North seeds (83-35 vs. #15 Gresham and 68-29 vs. #10 Marion). A familiar foe comes to down on Saturday night with a Port Edwards team that has turned the season around late, including an upset win in Athens on Friday night. Can Port continue the upset trend on Saturday night against a Cardinals team and take home a regional plaque? When the teams played a week ago, Port was able to hold Awe to 13, keeping him out of the paint and making him earn points at the FT line. Nathan Gibbs went for 25, but he’s the main focal point of the offense right now. If Gibbs takes over the game, Pacelli will be pushed for the first time in a long time (11 straight wins).
Dan Ross Prediction: Pacelli
Jason Zaleski Prediction: Pacelli
Division 4 – Boys WIAA Playoffs
#1 Marathon vs. #4 Stratford
Marathon:
Overall Record: 22-3
Conference Record: 15-1
PPG: 70.4
Number of Seniors: 4
Seed Score: 65.636 (3rd)
Strength of Schedule: 0.529 (30th)
Defeated Opponents Strength: 0.507 (8th)
Stratford:
Overall Record: 13-11
Conference Record: 8-8
PPG: 57.5
Number of Seniors: 5
Seed Score: 48.744 (36th)
Strength of Schedule: 0.527 (33rd)
Defeated Opponents Strength: 0.364 (42nd)
2022-2023 Previous Matchups: Marathon won twice: 60-35 (Dec. 16) and 62-51 (Jan. 31)
Marathon made easy work in their first playoff game, defeating Kash Kangas (all-conference name team) and Westfield 76-49. The stakes get a little higher on Saturday as Stratford comes to town for game three of the season series, this time with hardware on the line. The Tigers were never in peril in a 55-38 win that was a double-digit game most of the way. The last time these two teams played, Stratford pushed Marathon to the limit, leading late in the game before Marathon went on a run to seal the win. Stratford is healthy once again and could pose a problem for the Red Raiders. Marathon will rely on Grant Warren, who is a zone buster, and Stratford plays a style of ball that can really frustrate opponents. This should be a great Marawood game, with the winner going to Sectionals to likely play another Marawood opponent. Stratford ended Marathon’s season last year.
Dan Ross Prediction: Marathon
Jason Zaleski Prediction: Marathon Grantulas
#2 Auburndale vs. #3 Weyauwega-Fremont
Auburndale:
Overall Record: 22-3
Conference Record: 13-3
PPG: 63.4
Number of Seniors: 7
Seed Score: 65.589 (4th)
Strength of Schedule: 0.547 (17th)
Defeated Opponents Strength: 0.496 (9th)
Weyauwega-Fremont:
Overall Record: 16-9
Conference Record: 9-5
PPG: 61.6
Number of Seniors: 9
Seed Score: 55.378 (56th)
Strength of Schedule: 0.556 (13th)
Defeated Opponents Strength: 0.479 (11th)