WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[badgerwarhawk]

Mesick is a good player and perhaps she could play at a higher level but her skill set is limited.  Hirssig, not one of my team's best players, and Hunter, again not a player of my team, have much more versatile skill sets and are better athletes.  Not that I wouldn't want to have Mesick on my team I just think the other two are better players.

I'll leave Morton out of the discussion so as not to appear a homer.  My karma seems to have taken a hit. 

[Usuallywrong24]

Did Morton not have a D1 scholarship to Milwaukee after HS or did she try to simply walk-on?  I recall her going there but I could be wrong. 

[billys]

Hard to say how some of these kids would do at the D2 level (for a good team). Many can be ON a D2 team (or D1 for that matter if you're willing to travel).
I actually think Heidi A might have had the best chance to succeed of recent players cause of her size. Morton is a great pick and would probably be my number 1 choice the last couple years.

Hirrsig would be interesting; undersized with no true perimeter game, over the course of a year at that level I'd like to see how she could do. Now I know someone is going to say, "heart and desire" but there are a lot of kids that have that. She did have a big game against a bad St. Cloud team but then I had someone from the next team they played wonder how she can dominate the WIAC ... so who knows.

Hunter is another one. Good size and strength but she wasn't as quick as she may have needed to be to get free. Interesting debate though.

There were more in the past then there have been recently I think. Nechuta, Schultz, Eggers, Herrick, Duoss, Mikolajczak, the Eau Claire posts, maybe Amy Scott.
If you are a good big, size doesn't change. If you can shoot, you can still shoot. Lots of other factors though

[JMM]

Have followed EC for last 7-8 years. Messick is the real deal. She has always showed a maturity that sets her apart from many. She always knows where the basket is and cooly and calmly finds it. Plays excellent defense with very limited fouling. Can't really compare Hirsig and Messick. They are two different players. Hirsig is controlled power and muscle. Messick is more shooting finese. I think Hirsig is the overall best in the WIAC in the last 8 years. Easily beats out Douros and much better than Morton - who I think was very one dimensional. We will see how Messick fairs in this year and next. If EC can solve their #2 gaurd problem, they will be a force to be reckoned with next year. Plendil just gets better and better. Olson and Bingea are also doing well. The defense is very good this year and will only get better. If asked who I thought was the best EC player when running on all cylinders, I would say Witt. There has been alot of talent on EC. Muggenberg who holds the single game WIAC 3pt record. Burns who could take over a game at any time. Fermstad, Witt, Archiewiski, Messick, Spaeth, Channing Wozniak. All that said, SP always finds a way to win.

[The Champ]

Thank you everyone for pointing out your team's best players.  Discussing elite players/coaches seems to be quite a touchy subject in Wisconsin...

I was the first to respond to your post, and I made a specific point of not mentioning anyone but UWEC players in my response, just so that you couldn't make the claim of pointing out my team's players.

Here's my post again for your review:

I have to agree that Mesick is a very good player.

But you haven't watched much WIAC Women's BB if she is the best player you have seen play over the last 4 years.  

I think one could argue that she hasn't even been the best player on her own team over the last 4 years.

Players like Heidi Arciszewski, Michelle Burns and Heather Witt could seriously contend for that distinction.

Just to emphasize my point:

All-Time All-WIAC Women's Basketball Selections
(HM=Honorable Mention, Second=Second Team Selection, POY=Player of the Year, DEF=All-Defensive) (Since 1979)

Heidi Arciszewski (2006--HM, 2007, 2008, 2009)
Michelle Burns (2005--HM, 2007, 2007--DEF, 2008--POY)
Heather Witt (2008--HM, 2008--DEF, 2009, 2009--DEF)

Mesick has not even received an HM in the WIAC WB Selections to date, and you say she's the best player you've seen in the WIAC in the last 4 years???

Other players recognized since 2006:

UWEC

Rachel Becker (2005, 2006--HM)

UWL

Mackenzie Hunter (2006, 2007--HM, 2008, 2009--POY, 2009--DEF)
Abby Johnson (2006--HM)
Lindsay Wahl (2008, 2009)

UWO

Shelby Churchill (2009--HM)
Shannon Eggers (2005, 2006)
Brittany Herrick (2005, 2006)
Becky Knapp (2006--DEF, 2007)
Kelly O'Keef (2006)
Whitney Tyriver (2007, 2008, 2008--DEF)

UWP

Holly Kaiser (2005--HM, 2006)
Liz Tesch (2006--HM, 2007)
Lisa Wubben (2008, 2008--DEF)

UWRF

Tiffany Gregorich (2009-HM)
Caitlin Hunstock (2008--HM)
Traci Reimann (2005--HM, 2006, 2006--DEF, 2007, 2007--DEF)

UWSP

Haley Houghton (2008)
Chelsea Kranz (2007--HM, 2008--HM)
Nathalie Lechault (2006--HM, 2006--DEF)
Laura Neuenfeldt (2007, 2008)
Britta Petersen (2009)
Cassandra Schultz (2005, 2006)
Jessi Sporle (2009--HM)
Janell Van Gomple (2009)
Katie Webber (2008--DEF, 2009, 2009--DEF)

UWStout

Kelsey Duoss (2005, 2005--DEF, 2006--POY, 2006--DEF, 2007--POY, 2007--DEF)
Charlee Edwards (2008--HM, 2009)
Molly Hendricks (2006, 2006--DEF)
Julia Hirssig (2008, 2008--DEF, 2009, 2009--DEF)
Savanah Oeltjen (2007)

UWW

Lindsey Buechner (2007, 2008--HM)
Kelsey Hendrickson (2008, 2009)
Tiffany Morton (2008, 2009, 2009--DEF)
Trisha Thill (2007--HM), 2007--DEF)

My apologies to any player I might have missed that should be on this list, but the simple fact that there are 37 young women that have been duly recognized by the WIAC as being "ALL WIAC" since 2006 and Hannah Messick is not among them is very telling.

[JMM]

You over look the fact that Messick is only a Junior. Sh will get plenty of attention this year and next. I have found awards are potiical in part and some coahes lobby to grab all they can get and others keep away. 

[The Champ]

You over look the fact that Messick is only a Junior. Sh will get plenty of attention this year and next. I have found awards are potiical in part and some coahes lobby to grab all they can get and others keep away. 

Heidi Arciszewski (2006--HM, 2007, 2008, 2009) - Freshman when first honored.
Michelle Burns (2005--HM, 2007, 2007--DEF, 2008--POY) - Freshman when first honored.

Same team, same coach.

I could go on and list players from other teams who have been recognized as Freshman or Sophomers, but is that necessary???

If Messick is, "the best D3 player I have ever seen play over the last 4 years." as posted by PRF2009A, then she should have earned WIAC recognition...

Either that, or this poster hasn't watched much WIAC WBB.

[/quote]

[badgerwarhawk]

Messick is a very good player and honors will come her way.  She certainly was more than we could handle last week.  However this year Hirssig is the best player in the WIAC and if she isn't POY I'll be very surprised.  Hopefully the WARHAWKS will either find a way to control her or some how make the other four players on the floor meaningless this Saturday.  

Champ, will you be making an appearance?

[The Champ]

Messick is a very good player and honors will come her way.  She certainly was more than we could handle last week.  However this year Hirssig is the best player in the WIAC and if she isn't POY I'll be very surprised.  Hopefully the WARHAWKS will either find a way to control her or some how make the other four players on the floor meaningless this Saturday.

I sincerely hope that Julia renders all the Warhawk players meaningless this Saturday...

I would like to think that Julia can repeat as WIAC POY this season, but there is a lot of BB left to be played.  But I consider your opinion on the subject to be quite relevant as a fan that has truly watched a LOT of WIAC WBB.

I remember going to a number of Julia's HS games with Coach T...   We could tell she had the potential to be very good.  But it's been her hard work and determination that has made her that good.

Champ, will you be making an appearance?

Wish I could.  I'd let you buy me a beer!  Maybe next year.

[closetothechest]

Have followed EC for last 7-8 years. Messick is the real deal. She has always showed a maturity that sets her apart from many. She always knows where the basket is and cooly and calmly finds it. Plays excellent defense with very limited fouling. Can't really compare Hirsig and Messick. They are two different players. Hirsig is controlled power and muscle. Messick is more shooting finese. I think Hirsig is the overall best in the WIAC in the last 8 years. Easily beats out Douros and much better than Morton - who I think was very one dimensional. We will see how Messick fairs in this year and next. If EC can solve their #2 gaurd problem, they will be a force to be reckoned with next year. Plendil just gets better and better. Olson and Bingea are also doing well. The defense is very good this year and will only get better. If asked who I thought was the best EC player when running on all cylinders, I would say Witt. There has been alot of talent on EC. Muggenberg who holds the single game WIAC 3pt record. Burns who could take over a game at any time. Fermstad, Witt, Archiewiski, Messick, Spaeth, Channing Wozniak. All that said, SP always finds a way to win.

Didn't the 2005 National POY come out of this conference?  Nechuta was pretty darn good too. 

[badgerwarhawk]

Nechuta was the coaches' association and the D3 news national player of the year in 2005.   Interestingly Point's Jason Kalsow was also the men's national player of the year for both of these organizations in 2005.  

http://www.uwsp.edu/athletics/news/notes/DIIINewsPOTY.htm

[billys]

You over look the fact that Messick is only a Junior. Sh will get plenty of attention this year and next. I have found awards are potiical in part and some coahes lobby to grab all they can get and others keep away. 

If I had a dollar for every parent of a high school kid that told me that.

C'mon ... if the kid deserves it they most always get it. ESPECIALLY at the college level. The coaches vote in the WIAC and they vote for the best kids they play against twice a year.

I agree, she's only a junior and will get her due. But if you earn it, you will get your recognition.

[hoop_junkie]

Julia Hirssig is far and away the best player in the WIAC this year. She is an All-American! Why are you guys even making this comparison? Mesick is a solid player but Hirssig is going to be considered for D3 POY, she's in a league of her own!!!

[Usuallywrong24]

Julia Hirssig is far and away the best player in the WIAC this year. She is an All-American! Why are you guys even making this comparison? Mesick is a solid player but Hirssig is going to be considered for D3 POY, she's in a league of her own!!!

I wouldn't say she is far and away the best player in the league.  I would say she is most likely the best player, but there are plenty of players that are close to her.  Mesick is for sure one of them. 

If I was starting a team, I would probaby choose a player that can play outside, maybe Hendrickson.  A player that plays only the post can be stopped easier than a guard because of double teams.  Also, post players have been worse FT shooter than guards, another thing that makes it easier to stop post players.  I would rather have a super talented guard like Hendickson than a great post player like Hirssig.  Really good teams have really good guards. 

[Bears rule]

Usuallywrong24 is right on that comment. Without great guard play teams cannot succeed. Look at EC this year. Until they got better guard play they had a hard time winning even with two post.

As for Mesick, take out 6'-5"Plendl and replace with a 5-6 guard like other teams have then we will see how she does. Plendl just makes it tough for teams to guard both.

WW, EC, SP and ST, the top teams over the past few years were led by great guard play. Look at Stout this year without the great guard play they are not as good. LX could not get to the top even with Hunter and Lang(was that her name). They lacked great guard play.

Now, what is really needed is great guard play and very good post play. That is what the WW,SP,EC and Stout had over the years.

BB starts with the guards, pressering and handling the pressure.