Elite High School Clash Sweeps Central Wisconsin's March Madness: Blaze Amazes All!

Winter sports across Central Wisconsin came to a dramatic close over the past week, with some marquee performances and local state champions crowned for boys and girls basketball. Find out which area performances stood out as the strongest outings of the week from a slate of WIAA state tournament and playoff games. Here is a look at the top high school performances around the Central Wisconsin area from March 9-16.

Neillsville captures second state title: Neillsville rides defense to 2nd WIAA state title in program history BOYS BASKETBALL: Garrett Bracewell, Marathon: Bracewell led Marathon with 20 points and six rebounds in a 61-40 victory over Hurley on March 12. JT Schlaefer, Assumption: Schlaefer led Assumption with 17 points for the Royals in a 51-42 win over Cochrane-Fountain City on March 12. Chris Pohl, Marshfield: Pohl led Marshfield in scoring with 25 points in a 63-45 loss to Appleton North on March 12.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Ella Van Order, Pacelli: Van Order helped lead Pacelli to a championship with 25 points in a 49-40 state semifinal victory over Barneveld. She followed it up with 19 points in Pacelli’s 70-40 championship victory over Eleva-Strum on March 14. Haylee Ciesewski, Pacelli: Ciesewski notched a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds in a 49-40 state semifinal victory over Barneveld.

Pacelli tops Eleva-Strum for D5 title: Pacelli tops Eleva-Strum behind historic championship performance Jaedyn Zdroik, Pacelli: Zdroik dominated the 2026 WIAA girls state basketball tournament with 12 points and 11 rebounds in a 49-40 state semifinal victory over Barneveld. Then in the state championship game against Eleva-Strum, Zdroik became the second player in WIAA history to record a triple-double in a tournament game with 20 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. Addy Henrich, Mosinee: Henrich led Mosinee with 17 points in a 63-50 state semifinal loss to Oostburg on March 12.