WSAW Hilight Zone Podcast

SPASH boys basketball won the Wisconsin Valley Conference for six straight years from 2013-2018. The Panthers took back what they believe is rightfully theirs in 2021. This is SPASH's first WVC crown with John Krull as its head coach. Sports director Reece Van Haaften talks to the head coach plus junior Nate Streveler and senior Gavin Hyer.

If you have a story you'd like featured on "The Hilight Zone Podcast" feel free to email the NewsChannel 7 sports team at [email protected]

Philip Flory was a basketball star in Wisconsin Rapids. After transferring to Oshkosh late in his career and graduating, he was a preferred walk-on at Seton Hall. After a transfer and injuries, he was out of basketball altogether.

Now he's back on the court with the UWSP Pointers. Matt Infield talks with the star along with head coach Bob Semling about Flory's journey back to central Wisconsin and what he hopes to accomplish at UWSP.

If you have any episode ideas, feel free to email [email protected]. 

1950 is the last time the Athens boys basketball team won a conference title. With their Marawood North title locked up, that changed in 2021.

Sports director Reece Van Haaften and Noah Manderfeld talk with co-coaches Jeramie Penny and Aaron Ellenbecker, along with players Cooper Diedrich, Dayne Diethelm and Cobie Ellenbecker about the title. 

If you have any episode ideas, email [email protected].

This year's Mosinee girls basketball team won the Great Northern Conference for the first time since 2016. Mosinee's defense was suffocating all year long. NewsChannel 7's sports director, Reece Van Haaften, chatted with junior Adalyn Lehman and senior Aly Gonzalez about the team's defense.

If you have an idea for "The Hilight Zone Podcast" feel free to send it to us via email at [email protected].

Natalie Decker is a staple in the Central Wisconsin racing community. The Eagle River native has climbed up the ranks of the racing community. In 2020, she raced full time in the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. Now, she'll be the only female racer in the Xfinity Series.

Reece Van Haaften talks with Decker along with Jay DeMarcus, the sponsor of Decker's racing team Reamu, along with Grammy winner and face of the car Jason Crabb about the transition to the Xfinity Series.

If you have any episode ideas, email [email protected].

Fresh off of his 1,000th point, Wisconsin Rapids star Dylan Lisitza had time to process the moment and what it means to him.

Noah Manderfeld talks with Lisitza about what was going through his head when he scored the special point. He also talks about what got Lisitza into basketball and the journey he took to where he is today.

If you have any episode ideas, you can email [email protected] 

In 2017, Maggie Plaza was celebrating a state title with the Central Wisconsin Storm. Little did she know, her future had much more in store.

In May, Plaza will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In this podcast, Noah Manderfeld talks with Plaza about her journey from wanting to play hockey at the college level to joining the ROTC program at Marquette. Lieutenant Colonel Ioannis Kiriazis about her development at Marquette. She describes graduating and joining the Army as "just like winning a state title."

If you have any episode ideas, email [email protected]. 

Phillips is currently 14-1, and they have just one senior on the roster. Jada Eggebrecht is a junior, and she's currently dropping 24.1 points per game. That's tied for 6th in the state.

Noah Manderfeld talks with Jada about the season she's having, how her mentality of shooting has had to adjust with her playing in the post more and about her experience on the AAU circuit.

If you have any episode ideas, email [email protected]. 

Bella Opelt is the school record holder in almost every category at Neillsville besides total points. Just two weeks ago, she hit the 1,000 mark for points in her career. However, when you ask Bella what her favorite part of basketball is, she says it's the defense.

Noah Manderfeld talks with the Neillsville senior and her coach John Gaier about her success in a defensive oriented program. Along the way, they go into detail about how Bella is using her skill and knowledge to help coach younger kids like Coach Gaier's granddaughter. 

If you have any episode ideas, feel free to email [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.