GAME OF THE WEEK
Christina Rathke Tournament, today and Saturday at Franklin: Four teams with a combined record of 20-4 square off in this two-day event. Today's openers pit Middleton (6-1) against Whitnall (5-1) at 3 p.m. and Cudahy (5-1) against Franklin (4-1) at 4:30 p.m. The consolation and championship games are set for 3 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Next year the tournament will expand to eight teams, with the finals to be played at UW-Parkside, according to Franklin coach Ron Kluth. NOTABLE
PLAYER TO WATCH: Nicole Griffin, Milwaukee Vincent. The 6-foot-6 junior center, already a solid fixture on the radar of college recruiters, had another standout game in Vincent's 69-43 victory over Menomonee Falls on Tuesday. Griffin totaled 17 of her 30 points in the second half and made eight of 10 free throws, helping Vincent pull away in the late going. She is averaging 17.6 points per game for the two-time defending Division 1 state champion Vikings (7-0).
TEAM TO WATCH: Whitnall. The Falcons (4-1, 3-0 Woodland Conference South) broke into the area top 10 this week on the strength of a four-game winning streak, and will face back-to-back tough tests today and Saturday in the Franklin tournament. The Falcons average 58.6 points per game on offense and allow 43.8 ppg on defense.
Bucks PREP SERIES: Four girls Basketball games will be part of the 18th annual Milwaukee Bucks Prep Series at the Bradley Center. The contests: Kewaskum vs. Beaver Dam, 1:10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2; Johnson Creek vs. Fall River, 1:10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9; Menomonee Falls vs. West Allis Central, 3:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9; and Franklin vs. Racine Case, 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11.
GAMES TO WATCH
Milwaukee King at Sentry Classic, UW-Stevens Point, Saturday and Sunday: Coach Craig Machut's 2-2 Lady Generals, never a group to shy away from top-notch competition, open the two-day event Saturday with an 8:45 p.m. game against Stevens Point. On Sunday, King will meet either Janesville Parker or state second-ranked De Pere.
Niki Doedens Holiday Classic, Monday and Tuesday at Cedarburg: The Lady Bulldogs are bringing Arrowhead, West Bend East and Plymouth in for the event.
Elkhorn Holiday Classic, Monday and Tuesday: The Elks play host to Burlington, Greendale and Bradley Tech.
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