Seven Appleton-area girls basketball teams reach sectionals

Kimberly's Ava Van Vonderen scores 1,000th career point in regional final win

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Seven girls basketball teams from the Appleton, Wisconsin area have advanced to the WIAA sectional tournament after winning their regional final games. The highlight was Kimberly High School junior Ava Van Vonderen scoring her 1,000th career point during her team's 62-45 victory over Bay Port in the Division 1 regional final.

Why it matters

Girls high school basketball is a major source of community pride in the Appleton area, and advancing multiple teams to the sectional round is an impressive accomplishment that showcases the strength of the local programs. Van Vonderen's individual milestone adds to the excitement and recognition for the Kimberly team.

The details

The seven Appleton-area teams that won their regional final games and advanced to the WIAA sectional tournament include Kimberly, Neenah, Appleton North, Appleton East, Hortonville, Kaukauna, and Oshkosh West. Kimberly junior Ava Van Vonderen reached the 1,000-point career scoring mark during her team's 62-45 win over Bay Port in the Division 1 regional final.

  • The regional final games were played on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
  • Ava Van Vonderen scored her 1,000th career point during Kimberly's regional final win.

The players

Ava Van Vonderen

A junior basketball standout at Kimberly High School who scored her 1,000th career point.

Kimberly High School

A high school in Kimberly, Wisconsin that had its girls basketball team advance to the WIAA sectional tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Reaching 1,000 points is an incredible accomplishment, and Ava has worked so hard to get to this point. We're all incredibly proud of her and can't wait to see what she does the rest of the season.”

— Kimberly High School Coach

What’s next

The seven Appleton-area teams that advanced to the sectional tournament will play their next games on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.

The takeaway

The success of multiple girls basketball teams from the Appleton area in reaching the WIAA sectional tournament showcases the strength of the local high school programs and the community's passion for the sport. Ava Van Vonderen's individual milestone adds to the excitement and pride surrounding the Kimberly team's accomplishments.