GIRLS BASKETBALL
Season ends: Whitefish Bay 74, Pius 59 • Popes led at halftime • The Blue Dukes caught fire in the second half, outscored Pius by 15+ After Two Lady Popes fouled out • Regional champs, thrilling wins over Nicolet (89-52) & Wisconisn Lutheran (46-45) • Incredible run ends at Brown Deer HS • Season to remember • Go Popes! 💙💛
Lady Popes - We highly recommend completing the athletic registration EARLY to ensure your son/daughter is able to participate in their desired sport - Athletic registration is due one week before the season begins - Hang on to your son's/daughter's WIAA Physical Form as you will need to upload it to the online registration form by taking a picture of it or scanning it
20 TIME STATE CHAMPIONS!
Lady Popes Fall to Whitefish Bay 74-59 in Sectional Semifinal
BROWN DEER, WI – The Pius XI Popes' incredible postseason run came to an end Thursday night, falling to Whitefish Bay 74-59 in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Semifinal at Brown Deer High School.
First Half Dominance Wasn't Enough
The Popes controlled the first half, taking a lead into the locker room and looking poised to continue their championship form that had carried them through regionals just days earlier.
But Whitefish Bay had other plans.
Second Half Surge
The Blue Dukes caught fire in the second half, outscoring Pius significantly while heating up from beyond the arc and turning up defensive pressure that disrupted the Popes' rhythm. What had been a comfortable Lady Popes advantage evaporated as Bay found their offensive groove when it mattered most.
Foul Trouble Proves Costly
Making matters worse for Pius, two of their leaders fouled out in the second half—depleting the bench and forcing adjustments at the worst possible time. Without their full roster on the floor, the Popes couldn't match Whitefish Bay's second-half intensity and 15-point scoring barrage.
Season to Remember
Despite the disappointing finish, Pius XI's season was nothing short of remarkable:
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Regional Champions (46-45 thriller over Wisconsin Lutheran)
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Weekend sweep: 89-52 over Nicolet, 46-45 over WisLu
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An exciting overall season that had the entire Pius community believing
The Popes battled all season, fought through adversity, and gave their fans a postseason run to remember. While tonight's 74-59 loss stings, this team has plenty to be proud of.
Final Score: Whitefish Bay 74, Pius XI 59
Whitefish Bay advances; Pius XI's season ends in the sectional semifinals.
#GoPopes 💙💛
GO LADY POPES! 🏀🔥
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel • Dec. 22, 2025
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Pius XI Catholic
If the Popes make a run toward a Division 2 state title this season, this past week could be one of those season-defining stretches for the program. Pius takes home team of the week honors after not only a 3-0 week, but a pair of wins over two teams that could make deep postseason runs in their own paths to the Resch Center.
The Popes rolled past New Berlin West on Dec. 16 (78-50) and then picked up a pair of strong victories over Saint Thomas More (56-49) and Xavier (49-46) on a neutral floor at Brookfield Central to cap an impressive week.
The Popes have shown in the early portion of the campaign they can win tight ballgames against good teams and have taken care of business against programs they’re simply better than this season. Chelinda Spector and Maricella Rivera may not be Tess Wiczek and Georgia Acompanado – two of the best players to come through Pius’ illustrious program – but they’ve done an excellent job taking the scoring load from their predecessors. The duo combined for 34 of Pius’ 78 points in the first victory of the week. Add in sophomore Lizzie Jackson’s ferocity on the glass this season with a team-high 10.5 rebounds per game and this team is showing how tough of an out it appears to be come February and March.
Photo from Pius XI Athletics Instagram
Pius XI Catholic wins team of the week in pre-Christmas girls basketball rankings
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The current roster includes a mix of experienced and emerging talent. Notable players include Chelinda Spector, a junior guard who has started the season strong, and senior Laila Jackson.
Beyond Chelinda and Laila, other key players for the Pius XI Girls Basketball team include juniors Maricella Rivera, Sydney Tilley, and sophomore Lillee Jackson.
The team as a whole has strong general performance statistics, averaging 21.7 points per game (PPG) as of December 19, 2025. You can often find more in-depth player statistics on the team's official MaxPreps page or the Bound website
Girls Varsity Basketball 2025-26
Girls JV Basketball 2025-26
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State Champs 1980
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