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WIAA girls basketball preview

Tip-off time finally is here for the girls WIAA basketball tournaments.

It’s running two weeks behind schedule this year to accommodate a return to the Kohl Center for the March

25-27 state tournament.

That will be the first girls state tournament at the Kohl Center since 2005 and only the fourth since the facility opened in 1998. The tournament has been at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison five of the last six years and at the UW Field House most recently as 2002.

This is the eighth year of seeding for the girls tournament, and competition in all four enrollment divisions begins at 7 tonight at the regional level. Regional semifinals in Divisions 2, 3 and 4 are Thursday, and all regional finals are Saturday. Sectionals, which determine the state qualifiers, are March 18-20.

These are the prospects for the 20 sectionals leading to the state tournament, which again will have eight teams in Division 1, four each in Divisions 2, 3 and 4:

Division 1

JANESVILLE CRAIG

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Verona (def. Janesville Parker, 50-34, in sectional final at Beloit College).

Verona lost to Big Eight rival Middleton, 59-48, in state quarterfinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Verona (19-3), No. 6; Janesville Parker (17-5), No. 12.

Top seeds: Verona, No. 1; Janesville Parker, No. 2; Milton (20-2), No. 3; Westosha Central (13-9), No. 4.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Whitefish Bay champion in the second Division 1 state quarterfinal game at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Parker holds the record with 12 state appearances, but the Vikings have lost to Verona in the sectional finals the last two years and haven’t been to the state tournament since losing to Waterford in the 2006 quarterfinals. Parker fell one game short of co-champions Verona and Middleton in the Big Eight this season. The Vikings split their series with Verona, winning 48-41 in overtime before losing 46-40 when the Wildcats made all 14 of their free throws in the fourth quarter.

Verona also split with Middleton, losing 38-33 before beating the Cardinals for the first time, 45-32. The Wildcats lost to Columbus, the third-ranked Division 2 team, 41-36, but handed second-ranked Division 2 power Monroe its only loss of the regular season, 47-32, two weeks ago. … Milton’s only losses were to Monroe. The Red Hawks were Badger South runners-up to the Cheesemakers and are shooting for their second state appearance in four years.

WHITEFISH BAY

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Milwaukee King (def. Milwaukee Divine Savior Holy Angels, 33-31, in sectional final).

King def. Marshfield, 51-42, in state quarterfinals; De Pere, 61-50, in semifinals; lost to Milwaukee Vincent, 48-47, in championship game.

2010 AP rated teams: Glendale Nicolet (19-1), No. 3; Milwaukee Pius (19-3), No. 7.

Top seeds: Nicolet, No. 1; Pius, No. 2; Divine Savior (15-7), No. 3; King (16-6), No. 4.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Janesville Craig champion in the second Division 1 state quarterfinal game at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Nicolet, the North Shore champion, has lost only to three-time defending state champion Milwaukee Vincent, 54-43, in the second game of the season. The Knights opened the season with a 59-57 win over Muskego, now a top 10 team in the AP poll, and won a KSA national holiday tournament in Orlando, Fla. … King ended the regular season with a 81-70 loss to Vincent.

MIDDLETON SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Middleton (def. Sauk Prairie, 46-39, in sectional final).

Middleton def. Big Eight rival Verona, 59-48, in state quarterfinals; lost to eventual champion Milwaukee Vincent, 52-40, in semifinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Middleton (19-3), No. 9; La Crosse Logan (17-4), No. 11.

Top seeds: Middleton, No. 1; La Crosse Logan, No. 2; Waunakee (15-7), No. 3; Madison East (13-9), No. 4.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Wausau West champion in the fourth Division 1 state quarterfinal game at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Middleton is shooting for its sixth state appearance, all under coach Jeff Kind. The Cardinals are Big Eight co-champions with Verona for the second straight year. Middleton split its season series with Verona, which is coached by former Middleton star Angie (Halblieb) Murphy, who led the Cardinals to a 1993 state runner-up finish behind Janesville Parker. … Sauk Prairie (18-4), the runner-up in this sectional last year, is competing in Division 2 this season after sharing the Badger North title.

WAUSAU WEST

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Marshfield (def. Eau Claire North, 50-37, in sectional final).

Marshfield lost to eventual runner-up Milwaukee King, 51-42, in state quarterfinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Menomonie (21-1), No. 5; Marshfield (20-2), No. 8.

Top seeds: Menomonie, No. 1; Marshfield, No. 2; Wausau West (18-4), No. 3; Eau Claire North (15-7), No. 4.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Middleton champion in the fourth Division 1 state quarterfinal game at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Big Rivers champion Menomonie’s only loss was 53-51 to conference runner-up Rice Lake, a Division 2 contender. Menomonie has set a school record for most victories in a season, breaking the mark of 18, set in 1998-99 when Janesville Craig’s Mark Marsden was the Indians’ head coach. The Indians could be headed to a sectional final rematch with Wisconsin Valley champion Marshfield.

WAUKESHA NORTH

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Milwaukee Vincent (def. Mukwonago, 51-45, in sectional final).

Vincent def. Neenah, 52-35, in state quarterfinals; Middleton, 52-40, in semifinals; Milwaukee King, 48-47, for the championship.

2010 rated team: Vincent (20-2), No. 2.

Top seeds: Vincent, No. 1; Mukwonago (16-6), No. 2; Kettle Moraine (17-5), No. 3; Waukesha South (15-7), No. 4.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Brookfield Central champion in the first Division 1 state quarterfinal game at 1:35 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Vincent will attempt to become the first girls team to win four straight state titles. The Vikings join Milwaukee Washington, Cuba City and Flambeau among those who have won three straight. Vincent’s bid to retain the title is led by University of Oklahoma recruit Nicole Griffin, a 6-6 senior with a 16.9 scoring average. Vincent’s only losses were 49-48 to College of Lake County (Bolingbrook, Ill.) and 60-57 to Muskego on Feb. 23.

BROOKFIELD CENTRAL

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Brookfield Central (def. Muskego, 33-32, in sectional final at Greenfield).

Central lost to De Pere, 54-31, in state quarterfinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Muskego (18-4), No. 10; Waterford (19-3), No. 14.

Top seeds: Muskego, No. 1; Racine Case (15-5), No. 2; Brookfield Central (16-6), No. 3; Waterford, No. 4.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Waukesha North champion in the first Division 1 state quarterfinal game at 1:35 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: After falling one point short of the state tournament last year, Muskego finally caught the AP voters’ attention with its 60-57 victory over Milwaukee Vincent on Feb. 23. This would be the Warriors’ first state appearance. They are led by Katie Ellerson, a AP third-team all-state selection last season.

UW-GREEN BAY

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: De Pere (def. Appleton West, 44-33, in sectional final).

De Pere def. Brookfield Central, 54-31, in state quarterfinals; lost to eventual runner-up Milwaukee King, 61-50, in semifinals.

2010 AP rated teams: De Pere (21-1), No. 1; Pulaski (19-3), No. 13.

Top seeds: De Pere, No. 1; Pulaski, No. 2; Kaukauna (17-5), No. 3; Kimberly (15-7), No. 4.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Oshkosh West champion in the third Division 1 state quarterfinal game at 6:35 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: De Pere grabbed the

No. 1 spot in the AP poll last week after Milwaukee Vincent fell to Muskego. The Redbirds are seeking their third straight trip to state and sixth overall. They won state titles in 1983 and 2005. This sectional probably is headed for a rematch between De Pere and Pulaski, the Fox Valley Classic co-champions. De Pere won the only regular-season meeting, 51-47, and has lost only to Green Bay Preble, 49-44.

OSHKOSH WEST

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Neenah (def. Oshkosh West, 64-43, in sectional final at Neenah).

Neenah lost to eventual champion Milwaukee Vincent, 52-35, in state quarterfinals.

2010 AP rated team: Beaver Dam (21-1), No. 4.

Top seeds: Beaver Dam, No. 1; Oshkosh West (17-5), No. 2; Neenah (18-4), No. 3; Sheboygan North (13-9), No. 4.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the UW-Green Bay champion in the third Division 1 state quarterfinal game at 6:35 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: This sectional has produced the state runner-up two of the last three years. Beaver Dam’s Little champions have won 19 straight, with their only loss being 43-39 to Division 2 power Columbus. In their only state appearance, the Beavers defeated Janesville Parker in the 1991 quarterfinals en route to a second-place finish behind Hartland Arrowhead.

Division 2

JANESVILLE CRAIG

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Monroe (def. Madison Edgewood, 40-34, in sectional final).

Monroe lost to eventual champion Grafton, 53-45, in state semifinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Monroe (21-1), No. 1; Columbus (20-2), No. 3; Union Grove (20-2), No. 5; Sauk Prairie (18-4), No. 13.

Top seeds: Baraboo Regional—Richland Center (20-2), No. 1; Sauk Prairie, No. 2. Verona Regional—Monroe, No. 1; Brodhead (14-8), No. 2. Watertown Regional—Columbus, No. 1; Lake Mills (18-4), No. 2. Badger Regional—Union Grove, No. 1; Cudahy (14-8), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Seymour champion in the first Division 2 state semifinal game at 1:35 p.m. Friday, March 26.

Notable: This 1 p.m. showdown will be the first of two sectional championship games in the Craig gym on Saturday, March 20. Monroe hopes to be shooting for its third straight state appearance, fourth in five years and eighth overall. The Cheesemakers won the 1989 Class A state title in their first season under coach Kevin Keen, who is his 22nd and last year. Jamie Armstrong, Ashley Hermanson and Gwen Sutter, now seniors, were key players on Monroe’s 2008 state championship team. The Cheesemakers had a lock on the No. 1 state rating this season until losing to Big Eight co-champion Verona, 47-32, in their second-to-last game. They overtook De Pere to regain the No. 1 spot this week in the final poll.

Rock Valley division runners-up Brodhead, led Maryland Baltimore County recruit Dana Lewis, and Edgerton (14-8) could meet in Thursday’s regional semifinals, with a chance to challenge Monroe on Saturday … Southern Lakes champion Union Grove has a 12-game win streak, includng two victories over Division 1 contender Waterford. The Broncos could get a chance to avenge one of their two losses in a regional final against Cudahy. Third-seeded Delavan-Darien (18-4), led by 6-2 junior Alana Cesarz’s 20.5 scoring average, is likely to face Cudahy in regional semifinals, with the possibility of the Comets eventually having a chance to avenge two losses to Union Grove.

SEYMOUR SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Green Bay Notre Dame (def. New London, 35-26, in sectional final).

Notre Dame lost to Durand, 55-44, in state semifinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Freedom (21-1), No. 2; Winneconne (19-3), No. 10; New London (19-3), No. 11.

Top seeds: Pulaski Regional—Freedom, No. 1; Notre Dame, No. 2. Kimberly Regional—Luxemburg-Casco, No. 1; Denmark (16-6), No. 2. Hortonville Regional—New London, No. 1; Winneconne, No. 2. Chilton Regional—Chilton (16-6), No. 1; Appleton Xavier (14-8), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Janesville Craig champion in the first Division 2 state semifinal game at 1:35 p.m. Friday, March 26.

Notable: Freedom grabbed the AP’s No. 1 rating after Monroe lost to Big Eight co-champion Verona, a Division 1 rated team. The Irish dropped back to No. 2 behind the Cheesemakers in this week’s final poll. Freeom has won 17 straight since losing a nonconference game to New London, 37-32, on Dec. 22. Those two could have a rematch in the sectional finals.

WAUKESHA SOUTH

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Grafton (def. Ripon, 45-36, in sectional final).

Grafton def. defending champion Monroe, 53-44, in state semifinals; Durand, 54-52, for the championship.

2010 AP rated teams: New Berlin Eisenhower (20-2), No. 7; Pewaukee (20-2), No. 8; Lakeside Lutheran (18-4), No. 14.

Top seeds: Fond du Lac Regional—Sheboygan Falls (15-7), No. 1; Kettle Moraine Lutheran (16-6), No. 2. Port Washington Regional—Whitefish Bay (12-10), No. 1; Grafton (11-10), No. 2. Waukesha North Regional—Pewaukee, No. 1; Lakeside Lutheran, No. 2. Greenfield Regional—Eisenhower, No. 1; New Berlin West (15-7), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Chippewa Falls champion in the second Division 2 state semifinal game at 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 26.

Notable: Grafton will be looking for its third state title in four years, but the Blackhawks aren’t likely to be a factor this time. Eisenhower and Pewaukee, the favorites, won division championships in the Woodland Conference. Pewaukee beat the Lions,

59-52, in their only regular-season meeting.

CHIPPEWA FALLS

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Durand (def. Amery, 45-35, in sectional final).

Durand def. Green Bay Notre Dame, 55-44, in state semifinals; lost to Grafton, 54-52, in championship game.

2010 AP rated teams: Wittenberg-Birnamwood (21-1), No. 4; Hayward (19-1), No. 5; Westfield (19-3), No. 9; Ashland (19-3), No. 12; Rice Lake (17-5), No. 15.

Top seeds: Spooner Regional—Hayward, No. 1; Ashland, No. 2. Chetek Regional—Rice Lake, No. 1; Barron (18-4), No. 2. Osseo-Fairchild Regional—Medford (15-5), No. 1; Sparta (15-7), No. 2. Wausau West Regional—Wittenberg-Birnamwood (21-1), No. 1; Westfield, No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Waukesha South champion in the second Division 2 state semifinal at 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 26.

Notable: Rice Lake, Big Rivers runner-up in a Division 1 conference, may be the darkhorse in this sectional. The Warriors handed Division 1 power Menomonie its only defeat.

Division 3

REEDSBURG SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Cuba City (def. La Crosse Aquinas, 54-43, in sectional final).

Cuba City def. Oostburg, 48-43, in state semifinals; lost to Amherst, 41-37, in championship game.

2010 AP rated teams: Cuba City (22-0), No. 1; Belleville (21-1), No. 5; Orfordville Parkview (18-2), No. 7.

Top seeds: Holmen Regional—Arcadia (14-8), No. 1; Pittsville (11-11), No. 2. Prairie du Chien Regional—Fennimore (19-3), No. 1; La Crosse Aquinas (15-7), No. 2. Monroe Regional—Cuba City, No. 1; Belleville, No. 2. Fort Atkinson Regional—Deerfield (19-3), No. 1; Cambridge (11-11), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the De Pere champion in the first Division 3 state semifinal game at 9:05 a.m. Friday, March 26.

Notable: Parkview’s third-seeded Rock Valley South champions are hoping this is their chance to make a statement. They played Cuba City tough in a 68-59 regional final loss year and have come back with a veteran team and outstanding season. If the Vikings win tonight’s home opener against Wisconsin Heights (12-10), they’re likely to face Belleville in Thursday’s regional semifinals, with the winner almost certainly taking on Cuba City on Saturday at Monroe.

Belleville has lost only to Lake Mills, 53-46. The Wildcats have won 17 straight, starting with a 51-47 victory over perennial Division 2 power Columbus (20-2) in a matchup of eventual Capitol Conference division champions. However, Cuba City still is the unquestioned power of this sectional. The Cubans have a staggering 175-4 record over the last seven seasons. They have not lost more than one game in a season since a 17-5 record in 2002-03, and they have won eight state titles, including three of the last five in Division 3.

DE PERE SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Amherst (def. Manitowoc Roncalli, 55-42, in sectional final at Ashwaubenon).

Amherst def. Fall Creek, 55-46, in state semifinals; Cuba City, 41-37, for championship.

2010 AP rated teams: Brillion (21-1), No. 2; Oshkosh Lourdes (19-3), No. 8.

Top seeds: Wausau West Regional—Auburndale (16-6), No. 1; Edgar (15-7), No. 2. Marinette Regional—Peshtigo 18-4), No. 1; Gillett (19-3), No. 2. Wrightstown Regional—Brillion, No. 1; Algoma (20-2), No. 2. Waupaca Regional—Oshkosh Lourdes, No. 1; Markesan (16-6), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Reedsburg chjampion in the first Division 3 state semifinal game at 9:05 a.m. Friday, March 26.

Notable: Amherst’s defending state champions are a third seed at 15-7 in the regional that includes Abuurndale. Brillion, which won the Olympian Conference by three games over Manitowoc Roncalli, has won 20 straight since losing to Luxemburg Casco, 55-52, in a nonconference game.

WEST BEND SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Oostburg (def. Hope School, 46-35, in sectional final).

Oostburg lost to eventual runner-up Cuba City, 48-43, in state semifinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Lomira (20-2), No. 6; Destiny (19-1), No. 11; Ozaukee (18-4), No. 13; Winnebago Lutheran (19-3), No. 15; Howards Grove (19-3), No. 16; Oostburg (18-4), No. 17.

Top seeds: Sheboygan North Regional—Lomira, No. 1; Oostburg, No. 2. Sheboygan South Regional—Ozaukee, No. 1; Watertown Luther Prep (13-9), No. 2. Milwaukee Lutheran Regional—Whitefish Bay Dominican (19-3), No. 1; Hope School (5-17), No. 2. Wilmot Regional—Shoreland Lutheran (17-5), No. 1; Racine St. Catherine’s (14-7), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Altoona champion in the second Division 3 state semifinal game at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 26.

Notable: Oostburg has won this sectional the last three years, highlighted by a state title in 2008. The Flying Dutch have lost twice this season to Ozaukee (59-53 and 53-51), a team they could face in the sectional semifinals. Lomira had a 19-game winning streak broken by Winnebago Lutheran, 56-41, in a regular-season finale.

ALTOONA SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Fall Creek (def. Prescott, 43-38, in sectional final).

Fall Creek lost to eventual champion Amherst, 55-46, in state semifinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Osseo-Fairchild (21-1), No. 4; Hurley (21-1), No. 5; Colfax (18-4), No. 9; Fall Creek (19-3), No. 10; Eau Claire Regis (17-5), No. 12; Neillsville (18-4), No. 14.

Top seeds: Somerset Regional—St. Croix Central (13-8), No. 1; Prescott (8-14), No. 2. Rice Lake Regional—Osseo-Fairchild, No. 1; Eau Claire Regis, No. 2. Hayward Regional—Hurley, No. 1; Flambeau (18-3), No. 2. Eau Claire North Regional—Fall Creek, No. 1; Neillsville, No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the West Bend champion in the second Division 3 state semifinal game at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 26.

Notable: Flambeau won three straight Division 4 state titles (2006-08) before moving to Division 3 this season. Osseo-Fairchild, the sectional’s highest-rated team, had a 19-game winning streak broken by Fall Creek, 64-59, in the third-to-last game. Those two could meet in the sectional final.

Division 4

FORT ATKINSON

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: South Wayne Black Hawk (def. Randolph, 44-30, in sectional final).

Black Hawk lost to eventual runner-up Potosi, 49-42, in state semifinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Black Hawk (21-1), No. 3; Central Wisconsin Christian (19-3), No. 11; Lake Country Lutheran (20-2), No. 13.

Top seeds: Darlington Regional—Black Hawk, No. 1; Barneveld (15-7), No. 2; Clinton Regional—Burlington Central (12-10), No. 1; Juda (11-11), No. 2. Beaver Dam Regional—Central Wisconsin Christian, No. 1; Lake Country Lutheran, No. 2. Cedar Grove Regional—Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah (14-8), No. 1; Manitowoc Lutheran (12-10), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Spooner champion in the second Division 4 state semifinal game at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Black Hawk has won 19 straight since losing to Rock Valley South champion Orfordville Parkview, 45-38. Along the way, the Warriors avenged last year’s state tournament loss to Potosi, 56-41, in a Six Rivers crossover game. If the Warriors make it back to state, they’ll play a sectional semifinal game at Evansville.

SPOONER SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Siren (def. Greenwood, 40-34, in sectional final).

Siren lost to eventual champion St. Mary Central, 49-34, in state semifinals.

2010 AP rated teams: Minong Northwood (20-0), No. 1; Prentice (20-2), No. 8; Owen-Withee (18-4), No. 12; Clayton (17-3), No. 14.

Top seeds: Luck Regional—Northwood, No. 1.; Siren (18-4), No. 2. Cumberland Regional—Clayton, No. 1; Luck, No. 2. Lakeland Regional—Prentice, No. 1; Butternut (17-5), No. 2. Marathon Regional—Owen-Withee, No. 1; Marshfield Columbus (13-8), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Fort Atkinson champion in the second Division 4 state semifinal game at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Northwood looks to replace departed Flambeau, a four-time state champion that moved to Division 3, as major force in this sectional. The Evergreens may be challenged in the regional finals by Siren, the defending sectional champion.

LA CROSSE CENTRAL

SECTIONAL

2009 champion: Potosi (def. Wisconsin Rapids Assumption, 37-34, in sectional final).

Potosi def. South Wayne Black Hawk, 49-42, in state semifinals; lost to St. Mary Central, 45-42, in championship game.

2010 AP rated teams: Seneca (20-0), No. 4; Independence (20-1), No. 6; Weston (19-3), No. 9; Royall (20-2), No. 10.

Top seeds: Durand Regional—Eleva-Strum (14-8), No. 1; Chippewa Falls McDonell (9-13), No. 2. West Salem Regional—Independence, No. 1; Cashton (17-5), No. 2. La Crosse Logan Regional—Weston, No. 1; Royall, No. 2. Lancaster Regional—Seneca, No. 1; River Ridge (17-5), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the Waupaca champion in the first Division 4 state semifinal game at 9:05 a.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Wisconsin Rapids Assumption (20-2), the state’s sixth-ranked Division 4 team, has moved to the Waupaca Sectional after being this sectional’s runner-up last year. Seneca, the sectional’s only undefeated team, is looking for its first trip to state since 1983.

WAUPACA SECTIONAL

2009 champion: St. Mary Central (def. Almond-Bancroft, 71-38, in sectional final).

St. Mary Central, located in Neenah, def. Siren, 49-34, in state semifinals; Potosi, 45-42, for the championship.

2010 AP rated teams: Wausau Newman (20-2), No. 2; Wisconsin Rapids Assumption (20-2), No. 5; Marion (21-1), No. 7.

Top seeds: Antigo Regional—Wausau Newman, No. 1; Wabeno (20-2), No. 2. Mosinee Regional—Assumption, No. 1; Almond-Bancroft (15-7), No. 2. Crivitz Regional—Niagara (12-10), No. 1; Wausaukee (11-11), No. 2. Green Bay Southwest Regional—Marion, No. 1; Fish Creek Gibraltar (9-13), No. 2.

Agenda: This sectional champion plays the La Crosse Central champion in the first Division 4 state semifinal game at 9:05 a.m. Thursday, March 25.

Notable: Assumption joins this field after being the La Crosse Central sectional runner-up to eventual state runner-up Potosi last year. Newman is coached by Tom Weinkauf, whose Marathon boys teams won three straight state championships in the 1970s. He led Newman’s girls to the Division 3 championship in 2002.