Titletown preps for WIAA Girls Basketball Tournament

ASHWAUBENON - In a place where champions dwell, a new game has come to Titletown. A revamp of the Resch Center started Monday, ahead of the first girls state basketball tournament at the facility. 

The tournament’s been moved from the Kohl Center in Madison to the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon.

• Click here for the tournament schedule
• Photos: Transition of the Resch Center

Officials are hoping to pack the arena.

While nearby hotels are hoping to put the "no vacancy" signs up.

It's the tournament's first time in our area. The games begin on Thursday.

With care the crew at the Resch Center positions, pounds, and prepares the court for the WIAA Girls Basketball Tournament.

“You're seeing round two of what we've been into,” said Cora Haltaufderheid with PMI chief operating officer.

Monday morning, this surface was still an ice rink. But they've covered it with these boards and brought out the hardwood. And soon the WIAA logo will be placed on the court, ready to host the tournament.

Resch Center staff says the set up of the stands stays much like college basketball games.

"You can go right down to the floor, it gives it a more intimate feeling,” said Haltaufderheid.

But some of the advertising will have to go per the high school tournament’s rules.

"Obviously it's gaming and malt beverages and liquor and beer. We have to make sure those signs are covered up," said Haltaufderheid.

Last year, 31,000 fans packed the Kohl Center in Madison.

With pre-sale tickets for this tournament at 10,000, the Resch Center is confident fans will eclipse last year's attendance levels.

"We know the local schools, Kewaunee and Algoma are full-force our phones are ringing non-stop now so our mission is to fill this house,” said Haltaufderheid.

The tickets are selling, and so are the rooms at local hotels.

Cambria Suites says it's mostly filled for Thursday and Friday. And fans shouldn't hold out if they're thinking of staying longer.

"I think once the teams know who's in Saturday, then everybody's going to make the reservations and that's when there might be nothing left,” said Craig Bleier, regional manager of Cambria Suites.

And as the clock ticks down towards tip-off, the Green Bay area says it's ready to show the WIAA why it's the place where champions are made.

Tickets for the WIAA State Girls Basketball Tournament will cost $10 each per session. Each session has two games.