There is no lack of big-time events to choose from for those in the community looking to get out and enjoy high school athletics on Thursday.
A couple of wrestling duals, a couple of basketball games and a hockey matchup of interest are all on the schedule without big travel commitments involved.
Here is a look at what’s going on:
WRESTLING
Aquinas at Holmen, 7:15 p.m.
The Blugolds are ranked first in Division 3 and the Vikings second in Division 1 by Wisconsin Grappler in what has become a dual not to be missed over the past several seasons.
Some of the best wrestlers in the state at various weights will be at the Bernie L. Ferry Fieldhouse for this dual between the top two teams in the MVC.
The Vikings have seven weights filled by wrestlers ranked among the top 13 in Division 1, and the Blugolds have seven among the top 11 in Division 3.
Potential matchups include Holmen freshman Brady Needham (13th) and Aquinas freshman Peter White (11th) at 106 pounds, Holmen junior Brock Needham (third) and Aquinas sophomore Martez Sheard (second) at 126, Holmen sophomore Nathan Henderson (fourth) and Aquinas sophomore Tyler Paulson (fourth) at 138, Holmen senior Noah Henderson (10th) and Aquinas freshman Jacob Penzkover (eighth)at 150 and Holmen senior Jagger Jepson (10th) and Aquinas senior Tyson Martin (first) at 285.
Holmen won last year’s dual 41-25, but the teams have split their last four meetings with Aquinas winning in 2023 and 2024.
West Salem/Bangor at G-E-T/Melrose-Mindoro, 7 p.m.
Like the Vikings and Blugolds in the MVC, the Catbirds and Titans are the top two teams in the Coulee Conference heading to this on in Galesville.
West Salem/Bangor is fourth and G-E-T/Melrose-Mindoro sixth in this week’s Division 2 Wisconsin Grappler rankings.
The Catbirds have four competitors ranked 10th or better, and the Titans have seven who are 12th or better.
Potential matches here include West Salem/Bangor freshman Mason Chambers (third) and G-E-T/Melrose-Mindoro senior Jayce Stetzer (seventh) at 157, West Salem/Bangor senior Caden Anderson (sixth) and G-E-T/Melrose-Mindoro junior Aaron Dunigan (fourth) at 190 and West Salem/Bangor senior Kaiden Stello (10th) and G-E-T/Melrose-Mindoro sophomore Brock Kaz (sixth) at 285.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Onalaska at Aquinas, 7:15 p.m.
The first-place Blugolds have won 122 straight MVC games, but the Hilltoppers pushed them hard in the first meeting before losing 66-51. Onalaska was within one possession at the half of that game.
The Blugolds (16-2) have only lost to state-ranked teams and are fifth this week in the Division 3 Bound Wisconsin/Zaleski Sports media poll.
Aquinas senior Sammy Davis averages 22.6 points and 9.2 rebounds, and junior guard Ava Fernholz has scored 49 points over the last three games.
The Hilltoppers played without sophomore Kayla Ketelhut against Logan on Tuesday but didn’t need her in a 61-point victory. But she has averaged 24.6 points over the past seven games she has played. Juniors Olivia Passehl and Finley Walters are shooting the 3-point ball well lately, too.
The Blugolds will have to make the most of possessions, and Onalaska will have to find a way to limit turnovers.
BOYS BASKETBALL
West Salem at Luther, 7 p.m.
The Panthers (12-2, 5-0) lead the conference, and the third-place Knights (7-6, 3-2) are trying to cut into their deficit as the teams meet for the first of two games in a three-day span.
Luther travels to West Salem on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Tyson Labus has been on a scoring tear as of late for the Panthers and leads the team with his 16.2 points per game. He also averages 7.1 rebounds per game. He is one of three double-figure scorers on the team with senior Nate Dillaber at 15.3 and junior Drew McConkey at 14.7.
Luther has lost two straight games and has also enjoyed balanced scoring from senior Brody Greeno (13.1 ppg), junior Logan Pierce (12.1), senior Max Huelskamp 11.2) and junior Trent Berg (10.0).
