Top of the Key (Dec. 11)

Local angles

Kettle Moraine girls 38, Divine Savior Holy Angels 34. DSHA is 0-3, but their losses had come against state behemoths Milwaukee Vincent and Milwaukee Pius before running into the Lasers. The Dashers perpetually have one of the best teams in the area, making this an early signature win for the Lasers. The Classic 8 should be an incredible showdown this year, with at least five teams (Mukwonago, Waukesha South, Kettle Moraine, Pius, Arrowhead) showing potential to knock off anyone else.

Pewaukee girls 50, Greendale 43. Mary Merg's hot shooting nearly rallied the Panthers late, but the Pirates landed an early conference confidence-boost against a team that brings back a lot of experience and expectations. Starting three sophomores, Pewaukee has jumped out to an unbeaten start and will clearly be a factor in the run for the Woodland Blue title. Jordyn Swan (pictured) has led the team in scoring.

Milwaukee Hamilton boys 64, St. John's 53. The young Lancers challenged a pair of strong City Conference schools and came up short both times, losing to Bay View on Thursday after falling to state-ranked Hamilton in the St. John's gym Tuesday. Coach Brian Richert is hoping for as many challenges as possible prior to the WIAA Division 2 postseason. Sophomore guard Isaiah Gray is starting to show his immense potential.

Big games

New Berlin Eisenhower girls 63, Wisconsin Lutheran 50. Anna Hahn (junior) and Nicole Bauman (sophomore) will make Ike a state-title favorite next year, if not this year. Wisco is a good team, entering the year in the D2 top ten along with the Lions, and the resounding outcome is a sign that the Lions mean business.

Menomonee Falls boys 56, Marquette 36. Possibly a conference-title game in the Greater Metro, JP Tokoto broke out of an early-season mini-slump with 19 points, helping his team dominate last year's conference champs. The GMC doesn't appear as strong as usual on paper, so if Marquette can't hang with Falls in league play ... will anyone?

Whitefish Bay Dominican boys 38, Milwaukee King 35. Coach Paul Wollersheim obviously has another Knighs team capable of making a run in the Division 3 tournament, with the defensive battle going to the little guy over the perennially awesome Generals.

Surprises

Greendale girls 39, Cudahy 32. It hasn't been the easiest schedule for the Packers in the Woodland, but an 0-3 start is definitely surprising. The door is open for local team Pewaukee, despite an inexperienced roster, to take control of the Woodland Blue Division.

Racine Horlick boys 59, Kenosha Tremper 58. Sure, the defending state runners-up have lost four starters, but the overtime win over a team with at least two pretty talented seniors shows Horlick won't go away quietly, even when missing its top player with disciplinary suspension.

Buzzer beaters

Racine Horlick boys 59, Kenosha Tremper 58, OT. Terrence Anderson tied the game in regulation for Tremper, but Eric Papelbon was fouled and hit a free throw in the final seconds to win it for Horlick.

Homestead 43 girls, Kenosha Tremper 41. Siena Mitman hits a layup with 2.5 seconds left to lift the Highlanders.

Union Grove 57 boys, Burlington 54, OT. Nathan Radke's 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation forced overtime for Union Grove, and the Broncos never trailed in overtime.