For the first time ever the Oshkosh North boys and girls basketball team will be competing in the division ll playoffs in the 2022 WIAA postseason. 

The change stems from Oshkosh North’s ever-changing enrollment numbers. The previous year’s enrollment numbers affect the current year’s division. Last year, fewer than 1,200 students attended Oshkosh North, forcing the Spartans into the division ll bracket this year. This means the Spartans won’t see the typical teams such as Kimberly and Oshkosh West. Instead, they may face Green Bay Southwest, Seymour, Beaver Dam and Plymouth. 

New teams mean potential advantages the team wouldn’t otherwise have. 

boys Varsity basketball head coach Brad Weber says, “I’m excited to play new teams and to not see the same team’s 3 times in a season. We will be able to play our 1-3-1 very effectively against new teams.”

Last year the boys Varsity team beat Oshkosh West and Fond du Lac in the state sectionals but lost to Kimberely who ultimately ended up being State runner-ups, losing to Wauwatosa East in the championship game. The Spartans were one win away from the final four. 

The girls Varsity team was eliminated in the first round of playoffs last year. They had a short run and hoped to last longer in this year’s playoffs. They are the #10 seeds this year.

The Spartans’ stay in Division II will be short-lived, though. 

Athletic Director Craig Lieder says, “Next year we will be back in Dl playoffs as the numbers are back up”

Because this is possibly a once-in-a-generation occurrence, the Spartans hope to capitalize on the opportunity. The boys are the #4 seed in this year’s division ii playoffs they will face #5 seeded Seymour at Oshkosh North, Seymour has a record of 19-7. If the Spartans win they could face #1 seed Notre Dame.

Coach Weber says, “Be ready in March”

The only thing regular-season games matter for is seeding in a sport where every team makes the playoffs. So the team needs to continue to play to their strengths throughout the playoffs.

The Spartans have had a few guys that have been banged up who will return shortly. According to coach Weber, health is one half of the formula for success in the playoffs. 

“Hot and healthy,” he says.

The girls Varsity team was eliminated in the first round of playoffs last year. They had a short run and hope to last deeper into the playoffs this year.

They take on the #7 seed Plymouth Feb, 23rd in Plymouth for their first playoff game this year, who have a 15-10 overall record.

girls Varsity head coach Jayme Engen says, “ This is a better chance for us to be successful at this point. We are going to work our way through as best as we can.”

Due to some of the health struggles and people out to covid and covid protocols, it will be interesting to see how they fare with a fully healthy team.

Coach Engen says, “We are just going to keep things in perspective.”

The teams will still have to navigate the Dll playoffs carefully with plenty of competitive teams. 

The boys Varsity team has a record of 17-7, and the girls Varsity team has a record of 3-19 thus far in the season 

A few of the players on the team have previously competed at the Dl level for the playoffs. Senior Reed Secker, the starting point guard for the Oshkosh North Spartans boys Varsity basketball team, has played in the division l playoffs before and looks forward to the opportunity this year offers.

“It will be nice this year to not have to play all of the FVA teams like we have the past few years, but there are still a lot of very good teams in D2, so we will have to play our best,” says Secker.

The boys play Seymour Friday March 4th

The girls play Plymouth Wensday Febuary 23rd <Update> The girls lost to Plymouth in overtime losing 48-45