WSAW Hilight Zone Podcast

Enjoying the Ride: Marcus Hall

Last year, Marcus Hall was helping D.C. Everest boys' basketball win games in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. This year, he's part of the Green Bay men's team that has gone from worst to first in the Horizon, all with a new head coach and a boatload of new players. 

 

NewsChannel 7's Ben Helwig visits with Hall on his first year playing D1 college basketball, the role he's playing and what makes this Phoenix team so special. 

Building on Success: Crandon girls’ basketball

Last year, the Crandon girls' basketball team took home a share of the Northern Lakes Conference title. That group was led by five seniors. 

This year, a new group, featuring a blend of veterans and young contributors, is charting its own path to success, while relying on the lessons learned from the seniors before them.

NewsChannel 7's Ben Helwig speaks to Crandon players Alexis Shallock, Samara Kane, Lily Palubucki and Laurne Littleton about the strong start to the season and how they're making a name for themselves. 

Family and success: Phillips Girl’s Basketball

Phillips girls basketball has won their regional in each of the last three years. There's a number of reasons, but at the core of the Loggers success is family and consistent winning.

NewsChannel 7's Noah Manderfeld speaks with Kacy Eggebrecht, Mataya Eckert and head coach Mike Eggebrecht about what makes this program special, and their desire to get over the hump and into the WIAA state tournament.

Back Even Stronger: Pacelli Boys Basketball

Pacelli Boys basketball was two wins away from state last season and that's a good thing when you see how much of their roster is returning.

They lost just two seniors from that team, and they return their two scoring leaders in Camden Schurk and Jaydon Awe. Both are sophomores.

NewsChannel 7's Noah Manderfeld speaks with those two and senior Logan Mayer about the hopes this team has of building off last season's performance.

Victory Lane: Gabe Sommers

Gabe Sommers grew up racing bandoleros at State Park Speedway in Wausau. The Plover native had no idea that he'd become a tour champion. However, that's exactly what happened. On Oct. 8, Sommers won the Oktoberfest 200 at La Crosse Speedway to claim the 2023 ASA Midwest Tour title. 

 

Ben Helwig visits with Sommers about his journey through the racing scene and how he is grateful for the ride. 

Arkansas Bound: Lakeland’s Saylor Timmerman

Lakeland's Saylor Timmerman is going to the SEC for softball. The junior who throws 70 milers per hour has committed to Arkansas.

Noah Manderfeld speaks to the flamethrower about her decision, and her goals for the last two seasons at Lakeland. 

Dominating the Valley: Marshfield Volleyball

September of 2021. That's the last time Marshfield volleyball lost a Wisconsin Valley Conference match. They've won 27 straight regular season matches and they haven't dropped a set in any of those matches. 

Noah Manderfeld speaks with seniors Abby Ongna and Ashlyn Barwick along with head coach Dawn Sadowska about the streak and what it's doing for the future of the program.

Blending Strength and Speed: Three Lakes/Phelps Football

Through their first four games, the Three Lakes/Phelps football team is averaging nearly 35 points per game. On defense, they've given up just 26 points all season. Those are totals emblematic of how the number two team in eight-player has won games this season, using their perfect blend of strength and speed. 

Ben Helwig visits with Three Lakes/Phelps head coach Tyler Maney, quarterback Jared Kaufman, running back LJ Terlizzi and wide receiver Tyler Janikowski on how this team is a long-time coming and why this group still has plenty more to accomplish.  

The Brandt Family Affair: Wausau’s Andy and Brian Brandt Jr.

On Saturday, Sept. 16, Andy's Madison Capitols will host the Green Bay Gamblers at Marathon Park in the first-ever USHL game in Wausau. It will also mark a family reunion for the Brandt family.

Andy and Brian Brandt Jr. both grew up in Wausau and played for Wausau West. Once each of their playing careers were over, they became coaches. Andy is now the head coach and general manager for the USHL's Madison Capitols, and Brian is the head coach for Wausau West boys hockey. He is also a part-owner for the Wausau Cyclones.

Noah Manderfeld speaks with the two of them about how much this event will mean to the family, and how their lives have intertwined in coaching.

1,440 Days: Wausau East Football

It's been quite the couple of years for Wausau East football. The Lumberjacks played just two games in 2020. In 2021, they were unable to field a varsity roster. The last two years they've been bouncing as a JV team and in 8-player. 

Finally, on August 11, they returned to varsity 11-man action, topping Lakeland 23-7 in Minocqua. It was their first win in 1,440 days. 

Now, the team prepares for their first installment of Wausau's greatest rivalry since that two-game 2020 season; the Log Game. The game with history all the way back to the early 1970's will be renewed when East faces Wausau West on Friday night. It's not just the first meeting in a long time, it'll also be their last. 

NewsChannel 7's Ben Helwig visited with Wausau East head coach Tyler Kramer as well as quarterback Pacey Weber and wide receiver Caden Werth on the emotional start to the season and why Friday's Log Game against Wausau West may just be the biggest of their lives.