Thanks to the Bonduel boys basketball team, two No. 1 seeds for this season’s WIAA state tournament aren’t in the mix for a state title.

The Bears, however, are heading back to the Kohl Center in Madison for the second time in a row and second time in program history after a 78-68 win over Marathon March 14 in a Division 4 sectional final at D.C. Everest High School in Weston.

Plans for the Tigerton boys basketball team’s first trip to state in program history have been put on hold.

The Tigers headed into their WIAA Division 5 sectional final with Reedsville on March 14 with a 28-0 record, but the Panthers ended Tigerton’s season with a 56-45 loss at Oconto Falls High School.

It’s a familiar situation for the Bonduel boys basketball team.

That’s not the case for the Tigerton Tigers, however.

Both teams are one win away from a trip to state after winning their sectional semifinal game March 12. Bonduel topped previously unbeaten Kewaunee 73-62 in Division 4 in Kaukauna, while Tigerton kept its undefeated season alive with a 54-41 win over Wabeno/Laona in a matchup of Division 5 teams in Antigo.

The Shawano/Bonduel boys hockey team only has one more year of an independent schedule before joining the Great Northern Conference in 2027-28.

The WIAA board of control voted March 10 to approve Shawano’s request to join the conference.

“We’re excited about it,” said Adam Gafner, Shawano/Bonduel head coach and president of the Shawano Hockey League. “There is a lot of value and purpose in joining a conference.”

Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, the Bay Conference will expand to 10 teams in all sports except for football.

The change was approved by the WIAA on March 10.

According to the realignment plan, Appleton West will exit the Fox Valley Association to enter the Bay Conference.

A pair of Shawano Hockey League Peewee teams and the Bantam team recently competed in state tournament games across the state.

The U12 Peewee A team went 2-1 March 7-8 at the Oshkosh YMCA.

On March 7, Shawano defeated Beaver Dam 7-4, then lost 8-1 to Marshfield. On March 8, the Hawks beat Amery 6-5.

The U12 Peewee B team had a 1-2 record March 7-8 in Rhinelander.