Division 2 State Tournament Preview

Division 2 is ridiculously talented and will surely draw national attention from college coaches. And I won’t waste any time and get right into previewing these teams. <h2>Notre Dame</h2> The Tritons return to the state tournament after taking the crown in Division 2 a season ago, beating Reedsburg in the championship game. Division 1 state qualifier Appleton East was the only team to beat Notre Dame in November. [player_tooltip player_id="209880" first="Gracie" last="Grzesk"] When listing the most versatile players in Wisconsin, Grzesk is at or near the top of that list. There isn’t a scenario you could put the sophomore in where she won’t succeed that makes her dangerous the second she steps foot on the floor. She already knows what it takes to win a state title. Look for her to be even better at the state tournament this week than last season. [player_tooltip player_id="262971" first="Sarah" last="Hardwick"] The UW-Oshkosh commit found her role on last season’s team and is doing similar things this season. Hardwick is a winner, and she’s going to dive on the floor even if there’s only a 1% chance of her gaining possession or forcing a jump ball. The senior will look like one of the most mature players at that state tournament. [player_tooltip player_id="157533" first="Hope" last="Barington"] The junior guard does typical Notre Dame guard things. You’ll see Barington pass, defend, and attack the basket at a high level with confidence. Every Triton will play in a way that basketball nerds will love to see. [player_tooltip player_id="209879" first="Trista" last="Fayta"] Fayta is one of the best lead guards in the state. When she has the ball, you can tell her teammates trust her. The sophomore will continue to garner attention as she continues through high school. For now, she will lead one of the most elite offenses in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="338948" first="Peyton" last="Musial"] Although Musial doesn’t start for Notre Dame, the Freshman will be one of the most talented players out there when she comes off the bench. The 5-foot-11 wing is a rangy defender who has a versatile offensive game. Right now, you’ll see her act as a ball mover, shooter, or get into her floater game. Remember her name over the next few seasons. Musial’s one of the most talented ’25 kids in Wisconsin. [player_tooltip player_id="209882" first="Sydney" last="Whitehouse"] Last season, Whitehouse carved out a role for herself as a freshman. This season she’s expanded it slightly. Whitehouse is excellent at attacking the basket and is another excellent Triton perimeter defender. <h2>Reedsburg</h2> The Beavers have had an outstanding season. Entering the state tournament 28-0, all but one of their wins came by double digits. The only game they haven’t won by more than 10 is a nine-point win against Germantown. Reedsburg returns to the state tournament after losing the state championship game to Notre Dame a season ago. [player_tooltip player_id="132374" first="Mahra" last="Wieman"] The UW-Oshkosh commit is one of the best athletes in Wisconsin. Wieman played at the Resch Center in the fall with the Reedsburg volleyball team she’s been here before. Wieman holds most of the records at Reedsburg and has done everything there except win a state title. [player_tooltip player_id="209900" first="Sydney" last="Cherney"] If you lose track of where Cherney is for two seconds, I wouldn’t be surprised if she manages to get on top of the jumbotron (If there is one at the Resch Center). It feels like the sophomore can be in multiple places at one time. You won’t find anyone who places harder than Cherney does. [player_tooltip player_id="132388" first="Trenna" last="Cherney"] The elder Cherney is on her last run at Reedsburg and is talented enough to change the course of a game in a minute. Cherney has a lot of tricks up her sleeve to make things happen on the offensive end. After last season’s runner-up finish, the senior will do whatever she has to do to get her hands on the gold ball. McKenzie Bestor The senior is a part of the supremely talented Reedsburg senior class. Although she may not be as heralded as other kids, she can make a difference. Bestor can turn a game around if teams leave her open. [player_tooltip player_id="204158" first="Macie" last="Wieman"] The other Wieman is no slouch of an athlete herself. Wieman will be playing NCAA Division 2 volleyball at Minnesota State-Moorhead. Macie is the heart and soul of what the Beavers do defensively and will match up with the other team’s best wing. <h2>Pewaukee</h2> The Pirates are a heavy upperclassman latent team. Two years ago, these seniors had their ticket to the state tournament taken away due to the pandemic. Next year this group will look drastically different so expect the best version of this Pirate team on Friday. [player_tooltip player_id="374229" first="Amy" last="Terrian"] You won’t find many better shooters in the state than Terrian. Watching her operate is a joy to behold. Terrian was very close to being a 50/40/90. Terrian has shown an ability to find her shot in the half-court and make the right play almost every time. The Pirate also exemplifies the selflessness that this entire team has. If you talk to her, Terrian will talk about her teammates and winning before anything about herself. [player_tooltip player_id="132390" first="Sarah" last="Newcomer"] The Northern Michigan commit has a mature game. Newcomer knows what’s she’s capable of and excels in her role. You won’t find many players like Newcomer in the country. The senior has as good of a stepback jumper as I’ve seen this season. She’ll be tough to defend in this tournament. [player_tooltip player_id="263007" first="Megan" last="Zielsdorf"] The 6-foot-2 forward is one of the most athletic forwards around. The Pirates play straight-up defense, and any time their guards get beat, Zielsdorf is deterring straight-line drives. The senior knows how to get into open pockets of space and get easy shots. She also shoots over 64% from the field. Anna Terrian Although Amy and Anna look similar, they play slightly differently. Where Amy has unbelievable offensive numbers, Anna jumps out on film for her work on the defensive end. She’s a student of the game, so you know she will be ready for whoever her assignment will be against Reedsburg. [player_tooltip player_id="347169" first="Lia" last="Chudzik"] Pewaukee has shooters everywhere, and Chudzik could be Pewaukee’s x-factor. When teams focus on [player_tooltip player_id="374229" first="Amy" last="Terrian"] and [player_tooltip player_id="132390" first="Sarah" last="Newcomer"], Chudzik may be left open on multiple occasions, and her teammates will find her. There is a chance that Cudzik could have a massive game for Pewaukee this week. <h2>Menomonie</h2> The Mustangs defeated Rice Lake and Lakeland in the sectional tournament. The Big Rivers Conference Champions can run out some tall lineups in the state tournament. To upset Notre Dame and make some noise, they will have to dominate the rebounding battle on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="262991" first="Emma" last="Mommsen"] The 6-foot forward will be crucial for the Mustangs in their semifinal against Notre Dame. Mommsen is an athletic forward who stays out of foul trouble, which will be critical if the Mustangs want to compete. If Mommsen keeps the Notre Dame out of the paint, the Mustangs’ chance to win goes up dramatically. The Concordia-St. Paul commit is one of the more unique athletes you’ll see in Green Bay. [player_tooltip player_id="347162" first="Helen" last="Chen"] The Minnesota Duluth commit has a wide range of ways to score. When the Mustangs utilize their tall lineups, Chen will run the offense. She’ll take care of the ball is needed against Notre Dame, whose press is organized and intense. [player_tooltip player_id="329548" first="Mary" last="Berg"] The sophomore began the year shooting at an incredible clip. Although Berg comes back down to earth the second half of the season, she’s still shown she can be dangerous in a one-game setting. Berg is more than capable of changing a game with her shooting. Her play may decide if the Mustangs’ semifinal game is close. [player_tooltip player_id="342359" first="Sam" last="Jacobsen"] Every team needs a tall wing to defend other tall perimeter players, and that’s Sammy Jacobsen. She is a good option for whoever the Mustangs want to slow down. Whoever Menomonie puts her on, if they don’t play a zone, will tell me who the Mustangs want to slow down.