'Those kids will get penalized': Boys basketball coach not happy team will move to Division 2 after passing WIAA performance threshold

BRILLION − A pair of state appearances over the past three seasons has pushed the Brillion boys basketball team up a division for the next three seasons.

The Lions made back-to-back WIAA Division 3 state tournament appearances in 2021-22 and 2022-23, including a state title in 2023. That put Brillion at the six-point threshold that moves the Lions up to Division 2 this upcoming winter season.

The Lions reached the Division 3 regional finals last month before bowing out to Xavier.

The 2024-25 season will be the first to include programs that have been promoted to a higher division based on the WIAA's tournament performance factor formula.

Brillion's appeal was rejected by the WIAA's Classification Committee, leaving Lions head coach Chad Shimek shaking his head in frustration.

"We did appeal," Shimek said. "I don't understand the thinking behind this rule. (This past season) we finished second in our conference of (Division 3 and Division 4 teams) and lost in the regional final to Xavier. We started four seniors.

"Next year's team will have to play in Division 2 in the WIAA tournament for games that were played by kids that are now juniors, sophomores and a freshman in college. Some of our potential varsity players were in middle school when we made it to state in 2022 and 2023. It's unfortunate that those kids will get penalized."

Shimek added he finds it "hard to believe" the overall competitiveness in the area will improve because the Lions are moving up a division.

"I think one area to look at is what type of conference and competition do teams play in the regular season," Shimek said. "If you play in a conference of D2 or D1 teams, then that is a solid indication of where you should play in the tournament."

Neenah boys basketball and Kaukauna wrestling also met the performance threshold for winter teams but are already in Division 1.

Several area teams met the threshold in the fall, with Winneconne boys cross-country, Xavier girls cross-country, Xavier girls tennis and Xavier girls volleyball all moving up a division in their respective sports.

Appleton North girls volleyball, Neenah girls tennis, Kimberly football, Kaukauna girls cross-country and Neenah girls cross-country also met the point threshold but are already in Division 1.

Neenah wrestling standout Herm picks South Dakota State

Neenah standout wrestler Jacob Herm has committed to wrestle collegiately at South Dakota State.

Herm, a junior, finished 47-0 this past season and won the WIAA Division 1 state title in the 144-pound weight class.

Area softball, baseball and girls soccer rankings

Here is the third edition of the softball, baseball and girls soccer rankings for the Appleton area. Records are through this past weekend's games.

SOFTBALL

1, Kaukauna (9-0): Top-ranked Ghosts' winning streak hits 90 games as the Ghosts get wins over Hortonville (9-0), Oshkosh West (2-1), Neenah (6-0) and Kimberly (11-1) over the past week. Kaukauna has outscored its opponents 86-6 this season.

2, New London (10-0): Bulldogs ranked No. 1 in Division 2 by WFSCA/wissports.net. Team has standout freshman pitcher/infielder Ellie Winkelman (.571 average, 9 RBI).

3, Kimberly (6-2): Papermakers suffer tough losses to Oshkosh West on Thursday and Kaukauna on Friday before rattling off back-to-back wins against Freedom and Lakeland in Saturday's Kimberly Triangular.

4, Freedom (6-2): Irish tumble two spots down rankings after losses to Kimberly and Lakeland this past weekend.

5, Neenah (4-2): Rockets bounce back from back-to-back losses with 14-4 victory over Appleton East on Friday.

Also: Hortonville (8-5), Fox Valley Lutheran (7-2), Chilton (4-2), Waupaca (5-4), Manawa (7-3), St. Mary Catholic (5-3), Seymour (7-5)

BASEBALL

1, Kimberly (8-0): Undefeated Papermakers go 4-0 this past week with wins over Fond du Lac, Oshkosh West, Appleton West and La Crosse Aquinas.

2, Chilton (7-1): Tigers' winning streak hits seven following back-to-back 1-0 victories over Two Rivers and Brillion. Peyton Juckem is 3-1 with a 0.70 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched.

3, Appleton North (5-2): Lightning on three-game winning streak with wins over Oshkosh North, Hortonville and D.C. Everest last week.

4, Shiocton (5-1): Chiefs make debut in top five and are led by senior James Mutchie, who is 2-1 on the mound with a 0.79 ERA and .571 at the plate with six RBI.

5, Hortonville (5-4): Teiven Gass is 2-0 this season with 20 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA.

Also: Wrightstown (6-3), Menasha (4-2), Kaukauna (4-4), Neenah (4-3), Little Chute (7-2), St. Mary Catholic (2-2), Freedom (7-5), Brillion (5-3).

Vote for the top athlete: Three star track athletes, a top baseball slugger and standout softball ace: Vote for Cellcom Post-Crescent high school athlete of the week

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GIRLS SOCCER

1, Kimberly (6-1-0): Papermakers ranked fifth in the state in latest Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association rankings. Team is on five-game winning streak and has allowed two goals all season.

2, Appleton East (6-0-1): Patriots have outscored their opponents 21-4 and are coming off 3-1 victory over Homestead on Saturday.

3, Appleton North (3-1-0): Lightning move up a spot in rankings and team is tied atop the FVA with Kimberly and Appleton East.

4, Neenah (2-2-0): Rockets tumble down rankings after back-to-back losses to Middleton and Appleton North.

5, St. Mary Catholic (3-1-2): Zephyrs make first appearance in rankings. Bitzy McCauley leads the team in goals (seven).

Also: Seymour (2-2-1), Winneconne (3-1-0), Appleton West (3-2), Menasha (2-2-1), Xavier (2-1-3).

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Brillion boys basketball team not happy with move to Division 2