FOX 11 Top 11: Sheboygan North, De Pere have tests this week

GREEN BAY - This week the top-ranked teams in the FOX 11 Top 11 boys and girls basketball polls are from the Fox River Classic Conference – Sheboyban North (boys) and De Pere (girls).

While each remain undefeated that could change this week if these teams don’t bring their best to the court this week.

Monday, De Pere plays at Notre Dame, which trails the Redbirds by one game in the FRCC. De Pere normally has an advantage with its top players Morgan Anderson and Kayla Dawson, but Notre Dame can answer with Allie LeClaire and Brianna Byrne, as this game includes four of the best players in the area.

Also, De Pere, which is riding a 29-game winning streak, hosts Fox Valley Association leader Kimberly, ranked No. 3, on Saturday in a game which could be a battle for No. 1 among undefeated teams.

In other words, De Pere has a big week ahead, but the defending Division 1 state champs certainly know how to win big games.

As for North, the Golden Raiders will play at Ashwaubenon on Tuesday and contending with Bennett Koch and Kyle Monroe will not be easy. Then on Friday, the Raiders meet Bay Port, which trails De Pere and North by one game in the FRCC.

North, like the De Pere girls, has a tough week ahead, but look at the FRCC boys and girls teams this season and rarely is their a “cupcake” game. These games will be tests.

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Boys FOX 11 Top11
1. Sheboygan North (12-0): Tough week ahead – at Ashwaubenon, hosts Bay Port. Last week: No. 2.
2. De Pere (9-1): Redbirds have tests against Notre Dame and at Pulaski. Last week: No. 2.
3. Little Chute (11-1): Mustangs in firm command of Eastern Valley. Last week: No. 3.
4. Seymour (10-1): Thunder took it easy last week, not playing. Last week: No. 4.
5. NEW Lutheran (12-0): Blazers holding 2-game lead in Packerland. Last week: No. 5.
6. Neenah (10-2): Rockets control their FVA destiny. Last week: No. 6
7. Pulaski (8-2): Red Raiders can make statement Friday against De Pere. Last week: No. 7.
8. Roncalli (9-1): Jets have test Monday at Brillion. Last week: No. 9.
9. West De Pere (8-1): Phantoms started new year with nice win over Shawano. Last week: No. 10.
10. Notre Dame (8-2): Tritons hope to make statement Tuesday against De Pere. Last week: No. 11.
11. Wrightstown (9-2): Tigers suffer first Olympian loss to Reedsville last week, 60-59. Last week: No. 8.

Dropped out: None.
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Top games this week
Monday
(8) Roncalli at Brillion: Key game in determining Olympian champion.
Tuesday
(10) Notre Dame at (2) De Pere: Tritons try to hand Redbirds first FRCC loss of season.
Friday
(2) De Pere at (7) Pulaski: De Pere edged Pulaski, 39-36, last season.
Bay Port at (1) Sheboygan North: Pirates get chance to give Golden Raiders first loss of season.

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Girls FOX 11 Top 11
1. De Pere: (9-0): Redbirds’ winning streak at 29 games. Last week: No. 1.
2. New London (8-0): Bulldogs’ winning streak at 50 games. Last week: No. 2
3. Kimberly (9-0): Papermakers one win away from sweeping FVA in first half of season. Last week: No. 3.
4. Sheboygan North (9-1): Golden Raiders have test Friday against Bay Port. Last week: No. 4.
5. Bay Port (9-1): Pirates coming off nice road win at Manitowoc. Last week No. 6
6. Algoma (9-1): Since loss to De Pere, Wolves won three straight by at least 13 points. Last week: No. 7.
7. Kewaunee (8-1): Kleiman, Stangel and Richard each averaging 12 points per game. Last week: No. 8.
8. Fox Valley Lutheran (8-1): Only one team has scored more than 40 points against Foxes (New London, 41 points, only loss). Last week: No. 9
9. Xavier (11-1): Since only loss, Hawks allowing 29 points per game. Last week: No. 10.
10. Fond du Lac (8-2): Cardinals coming off narrow win at Neenah. Last week: No. 11.
11. Manitowoc (7-2): Alyssa Fischer has scored in double figure s in seven of nine games. Last week: No. 5.

Dropped out: None.
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Top games this week
Monday
(1) De Pere at Notre Dame: Redbirds’ winning streak will be on the line in this game.
Friday
(4) Sheboygan North at (5) Bay Port: Both teams have designs on winning FRCC.
Saturday
(3) Kimberly at (1) De Pere: Both in same regional so No. 1 seed may be at stake.

Follow Doug Ritchay on Twitter @dougritchay

doug.ritchay@wluk.com