Warriors Make Their Mark On Wisconsin Prep Hoops

Winter Wis - on February 19, 2023 the Winter Warriors Boys Varsity Basketball team joined together in the auditorium to watch the 2022-2023 season wind down and await computer generated results for how the WIAA playoffs will shake out for the Winter Warriors.

The first region announced was Section 1, which includes teams from the following conferences:

Indianhead
Lakeland East
Lakeland West
Marawood North

The field of play includes 16 teams from these 4 conferences to lay out Section 1 regional playoff action starting on February 28, 2023.

Winter drew the #8 seed with a 12-12 (.500) record and 5th place finish in the Lakeland East, which also saw a 9-14 team in the Northwood Evergreens secure the #5 seed after finishing 8th in the Lakeland West. Twitter was abuzz this morning with coaches, parents and community members showing their dismay for the computer generated results, as it saw conference champions drawing lower seeds and playing on the road to teams that didn't win their conference or draw a winning record.

Sussex won the Greater Metro Conference and is a #5 seed, meanwhile #8 ranked Division 1 school in the state is a 7 seed in their sectional.

The algorithm, while not perfect by a long shot, does serve as a benchmark for improvement going forward, and makes for an exciting team event for the athletes, coaches and community alike.

2023 WIAA Boys Basketball Bracket Show

Let's not take away from the great opportunity for Winter to get a shoutout from the Bob Brainerd and Bob Branovich, the hosts of the WIAA Boys Basketball Bracket Show. They provided a shoutout to Wisconsin's new rebound king, Gunnar Greuel.

The 2023 Boys Basketball Bracket Show was used as a team event which included pizza, and overall fun environment for the boys to get together and enjoy the fruits of their labor. They were joined by the Winter Warriors Girls Varsity Basketball team and Athletic Director, Jack Delabar.

Multiple Winter Warriors Lead in Statistical Categories

As the Winter Warriors season concludes, they finish with a 12-12 record, forging the best record since the 2011-2012 season whereas the Winter Warriors finished with a 12-8 record.

In 2022-2023, the Warriors Boys Varsity Basketball team saw three athletes top the statistical charts according to Wisconsin Sports Network, and MaxPreps.

Gunnar Greuel finished with 449 total rebounds, good for 18.7 rebounds per game. The second best rebounder, Jaydon Awe from Pacelli, finished 380 rebounds. Gunnar also finished with 439 points, good for 18.3 points per game. Gunnar led the state of Wisconsin with 22 double-doubles. Jaydon Awe finished with 20 double-doubles. Jaydon was National Player of the Week presented by PrepHoops in Week 11 of WIAA play. Greuel has a great opportunity to become Lakeland East Player of the Year in the 2023-2024 season with the help from his supporting cast.

Albert Blair finished the season ranked 4th in total steals with 95, good for 4.0 steals per game. There are only three (3) athletes that have amassed 100+ steals for the season, and Albert is a prime candidate to join this elite group of defenders. Albert also averages 17.3 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 4.5 assists per game.

Carter Petit finished the season ranked 5th in total steals with 89, good for 3.7 steals per game. Carter Petit also became the third scoring option for the Warriors pouring in 10.0 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, and leads the Warriors in blocked shots. Carter took the 2022-2023 season like a storm after seeing limited time in his freshman year, has become a very strong defender and reliable scorer with a new career high of 24 points in multiple games.

Going Into Post-Season Play

Winter drew the #8 seed and will host #9 Bayfield on February 28, 2023. Bayfield is a fast-paced team led by Sophomore Quintin Bresette who has had multiple 50 points games.

Winter averaged 69.3 points per game through the 2022-2023 season, providing the highest scoring punch in the WIAA Division 5 northern region. Winter's defense is still a work in progress giving up 69.9 points per game on the season. Winter has won six (6) of their last seven (7) games averaging 83 points per game, and giving up just 53 points per game. This is the focus going into the regional playoff game against Bayfield, continue the potent scoring punch while limiting the defense access to the paint and forcing contested three point shots.

WIAA REGIONAL PLAYOFF GAME