While a few of the postseason brackets near the state of "foregone conclusion", the vast majority of Wisconsin varsity basketball clubs have at least one of those ballgames down the stretch that's triple-circled and highlighted by the team's skipper.
One needs look no further than Sunday's tremendous Super Bowl victory by the Giants to find out there's no one proven path to a title bid.
Last year, Mike Flanagan's Lady Warriors used the "hot at the right time" method to find their way to the Division 4 sectionals.
After looking like a solid team through the first few games last year, Pat Murphy's Cheesemakers caught a hot streak that's carried them all the way to the brink of dynastic territory pending this season's run.
On the female flip-side, Kevin Keen has his club playing solid basketball despite a setback Friday versus Waunakee. His young club has anything but leaned away from the spotlight, never more evident that in its 44-36 overtime victory at Verona that set up a tie atop the league.
There are a few "spooky" clubs hanging around the Mendoza line in their conferences and could make big moves or at least disrupt some of their rivals' best moves down the homestretch.
Two teams squared off Monday night that boast just enough athleticism and discipline to give any Six Rivers club fits down the stretch - the Pecatonica and Juda boys clubs. The Eastern Division is deeper than it's been in some time and, while Black Hawk and Monticello are in a two-team battle for the conference crown, spoilers abound below them.
After being decimated in the latter half of a 64-52 loss to Fennimore at home weeks back, Darlington's boys gave Cuba City fits before winning three gritty games, the last two of which went to at least one overtime.
Like a premonition, Redbirds captain and leading scorer Mitchell Erickson waxed on the incredible young talent on his squad but refused to dismiss any of the business at hand.
"It's good to know they'll be left with something and a solid base of players," Erickson said after the loss to the Eagles, "but we've gotta bounce back right now and get hot down the stretch."
The local contenders are bona fide. Joey Hartwig didn't balk when asked about what it's like when fans and pundits alike are starting to "put a target" on the Warriors' backs.
The secret's out on the team they host Thursday night. The Monticello Ponies soundly handed Black Hawk its only loss of the season and Warrior Nation will place a bullseye of their own on their visitors in a battle between 9-1 clubs and a veritable conference title game.
For those vying for league crowns, now is the time to achieve greatness among your age-old peers and rivals.
The clubs that aren't so lucky? Well, these may be the most dangerous fish in a pond that's rapidly heating up.
As our local body of water approaches the boiling point, here are the marquee matchups for the proverbial homestretch:
Title Tilts>
SIX RIVERS EAST BOYS>
Monticello (13-4, 9-1 Six Rivers East) at Black Hawk (16-1, 9-1), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.>
Storyline: >In both clubs' second-to-last Six Rivers East games, the league title is essentially at stake. The Ponies and Warriors both boast 9-1 conference marks with Black Hawk's lone loss coming in Monticello.
The players: >Physical specimen Joey Hartwig is coming fully to life for Black Hawk at the right time, while the Ponies' cast of nine seniors presents a bevy of matchup problems. The Warriors are at no loss for senior leadership as they start three seniors, while juniors Michael Place and Shane Jackson are tenured varsity athletes.
BADGER SOUTH BOYS>
Verona (14-2, 10-1 Badger South) at Monroe (16-0, 10-0), Monday, 6:45 p.m.>
Storyline: >It's hard to fathom that even Mother Nature could stop a game with such major implications from taking place, but such was the case last night. The Cheesemakers hope to sweep the Wildcats and extend their incredible winning streak to 34 games, while locking down back-to-back Badger South titles.
The players: >While Mitch Tordoff has made a living atop the scorer's list this season, Monroe's deep cast could be the difference as evidenced by Chase Sellnow's 13 points in a 65-58 win in Verona on Dec. 21. Wildcats junior Jason Ziemer went off for 27 points in the losing effort and, while no one questions the tweener's athleticism, he'll need to create opportunities for others to crack the Cheesemakers' code.
ROCK VALLEY GIRLS>
Parkview (12-3, 8-1 Rock Valley) at Brodhead (10-4, 9-1), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.>
Storyline: >The Cardinals held the Vikings' multi-faceted attack to just 45 points in a 56-45 victory Dec. 18 and are riding a nine-game Rock Valley winning streak since losing their opener to Big Foot.
The players: >Junior Kristen Ruchti and sophomore Dana Lewis form a tough frontcourt tandem with incredible height, while senior captain Paige Hoeper's revived shooting makes the Cardinals' offense operate at full efficiency. Jenna Larsen leads an incredibly-balanced Vikings attack that boasts seven scorers of more than 4.5 points per contest.
CAPITOL SOUTH GIRLS>
Cambridge (10-4, 5-2 Capitol) at New Glarus (10-5, 6-2), Thursday Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.>
Storyline: >Valentine's Day won't affect the love-loss in this contest after the Knights held off the Blue Jays in a 45-42 victory Jan 17. Over the past week, a two-game skid has New Glarus looking to regain its balance.
The players: >New Glarus can get a big night from several spots, most notably down low from senior enforcer Shanna Karls and along the perimeter from gifted shooter Dani Pickett. Junior tweener Katie Ehlen led the Blue Jays with 14 points in the teams' first matchup.
