GIRLS BASKETBALL
POPES GIRLS BASKETBALL ROLLS PAST BROOKFIELD EAST 85-40 • Lizzie Jackson drops 20 • Vonna Shill ignites second-half run • Up just 9 at halftime, Popes explode for 44 in 2nd half • Coach Herrick: "Really well played in the second half" • February 13, 2026 • Go Popes!
Lady Popes Prepare for Playoffs
MILWAUKEE, WI – The Pius XI Lady Popes girls basketball team has earned the #2 seed in their WIAA Division 2 Regional bracket and will host #7 Nicolet in the opening round on Friday, February 27 at 7:00 PM at Pius XI High School.
Game Details - Friday, February 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM
#7 Nicolet at #2 Pius XI Catholic
Location: Pius XI High School Gymnasium
Next Round: Winner plays #3 Wisconsin Lutheran or #6 Wauwatosa West
The Pius XI community is encouraged to pack the gym and support the Popes as they begin their quest for a regional championship and beyond.
Go Lady 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
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
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