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High School Hoops: Upsets & Close Calls

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, January 8th 2026 at 8:26 GMT by Madison.com

Basketball: Upsets and Tight Contests Dominate

The boys' basketball schedule was packed with closely contested games. DeForest edged out Sun Prairie 78-72 in a high-scoring affair, indicating a potential rivalry brewing between these two teams. Verona's 65-58 victory over Janesville Craig and Oregon's 59-53 win against Fort Atkinson further demonstrate the competitive balance within the southern conference. Several other games followed this trend, with point differentials generally remaining within a 10-point range, signifying a relatively even playing field across the state.

Appleton North's 82-78 victory over Kaukauna was a standout game in the Fox Valley area, showcasing strong offensive performances from both sides. Oshkosh North's 79-75 win over Neenah continued the trend of high-scoring games. In the northern part of the state, Marinette's 69-63 victory over Shawano and Antigo's 71-65 win over Rhinelander suggest increasing competitiveness in that region.

The girls' basketball results mirrored the boys' in terms of competitive spirit. Sun Prairie avenged their boys' basketball loss with a 68-63 win over DeForest. Janesville Craig also secured a victory over Verona, mirroring the outcome of their boys' contest. The girls' games, like the boys', frequently featured scores within a close margin, demonstrating the increasing talent and tactical awareness of Wisconsin's female athletes. Kaukauna's dominant 80-76 victory over Appleton North stands out as a particularly decisive win.

Hockey: Madison Memorial Leads the Way

On the ice, Madison Memorial asserted its dominance with a convincing 5-2 victory over Janesville Parker. Verona's narrow 4-3 win over Sun Prairie showcased a more tactical and closely fought battle, highlighting the growing strength of both programs. Monona Grove's impressive 6-1 win over Edgewood provided a clear statement of their capabilities. These results suggest a potential emergence of Madison Memorial and Monona Grove as top contenders in the state hockey tournament.

Wrestling: DeForest and Verona Set the Pace

The wrestling scene saw DeForest defeat Sun Prairie 45-24 and Verona triumph over Janesville Craig 48-21. These results indicate that DeForest and Verona are currently among the strongest wrestling programs in the state, possessing a depth of talent and consistent performance across weight classes. Wrestling is often indicative of overall school athletic strength, and these early season wins suggest these schools are prioritizing a comprehensive athletic program.

Looking Ahead: Trends and Potential Upsets

Based on the results from January 8th, 2026, several trends are becoming apparent. Firstly, the level of competition across all three sports appears to be very high, with many games and matches decided by small margins. This suggests that the talent pool in Wisconsin high school athletics is expanding, and that any team has the potential to upset a higher-ranked opponent. The reciprocal results in both the boys' and girls' basketball games between DeForest, Sun Prairie, Verona, and Janesville Craig hint at intense rivalries and evenly matched teams.

Secondly, schools like DeForest, Verona and Monona Grove are demonstrating consistent strength across multiple sports, indicating a well-rounded athletic program. It will be interesting to see if these schools can maintain their momentum throughout the season and contend for state championships.

Finally, the high-scoring nature of many of the basketball games suggests a shift towards more offensive-minded strategies. Coaches are seemingly prioritizing quick transitions and three-point shooting, leading to more exciting and unpredictable contests. As the season progresses, it will be crucial to monitor these trends and identify the teams that can best adapt to this evolving landscape.