Division 3 State Tournament Preview

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Today we’ll be previewing the Division 3 State Tournament, set to tip on Thursday at 1:35 p.m. Here are some rundowns of the teams and players you need to know before Thursday afternoon.</span> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Waupun</span></h2> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">It took a Jan. 31 trip to Notre Dame for the Warriors to suffer their first loss. Last season the Warriors’ season finished in the regional after a loss to Reedsburg in Divison 2. At times, this season, Waupun has shown that they are the most dangerous offensive team in the state at any level. They have weapons everywhere.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="155422" first="Abbie" last="Aalsma"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Waupun’s leading scorer and Illinois State commit, [player_tooltip player_id="155422" first="Abbie" last="Aalsma"] is a lethal offensive wing. If Aalsma gets into her rhythm, there is no stopping her. The future Redbird is a quick guard who can score from anywhere on the floor. The senior is one of the top players in Wisconsin for a reason, and in her final high school game(s), we will see her at her best.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="209617" first="Kayl" last="Petersen"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">When you talk about the most versatile players in Wisconsin, Petersen is at the top of that list. The 6-foot-1 wing can beat a defense in every way imaginable. On any given night, Petersen could score 30 points and be unguardable. Even on the defensive end, she moves better than you’d expect, and with her size, whoever she guards will have issues getting any clean looks.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="209618" first="Gracie" last="Gopalan"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">If you’re looking for an elite lead guard, look no further than Waupun point guard [player_tooltip player_id="209618" first="Gracie" last="Gopalan"]. The sophomore is the engine that makes this team go. She has the trust of her coaches and teammates that she’ll make the right decisions on the ball, with good reason. Gopalan rarely turns the ball over and seems to hit her teammates in rhythm with her passes. Defensively she gets up into ball handlers. Spectators will feel the pressure that she puts on people.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="374233" first="Lydia" last="Aalsma"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The youngest of the Aalsma’s, Lydia is an intriguing long-term prospect. The freshman is a 5-foot-9 wing who possesses extreme athleticism. Aalsma could knock down some 3’s and be a difference-maker for the Warriors this week. However, people will love watching her fly around defensively.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="382395" first="Gaby" last="Matamoros"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Waupun forward does what coaches love their posts doing. Matamoros sets good screens, attacks the boards, defends the paint without fouling, and can defend on the perimeter enough where you aren’t uncomfortable with switching her. The future Whitewater Warhawk will be crucial in earning extra possessions at the state tournament.</span> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Freedom</span></h2> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Irish enter the state tournament with one loss to Mosinee on the record. Other than that night in Mosinee, it’s been an excellent season for Freedom. This team is as dangerous as anyone playing in Green Bay.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="342100" first="Sadie" last="Jarmolowicz"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I don’t know if there’s a more underrated player in all of Wisconsin than Jarmolowicz. The junior is an over 40% 3-point shooter, is a 5-foot-10 point guard, distributes at a high level, and is an elite defender. There is a chance that she leaves Green Bay with her name circulating the state.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="155424" first="Megan" last="Alexander"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Freedom’s star senior will be off to South Dakota Mines in the fall. In the meantime, Alexander will be looking to finish off her high school career with a gold ball. The senior has an incredible touch from everywhere on the floor. When Freedom isolates Jarmolowicz and Alexander, it feels like an easy basket every time.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Sydney Bartels</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Freedom’s 6-foot wing is an incredible athlete. Bartels flies all over the place on the defensive end and is efficient on the offensive end. Bartels makes over 60% of the shots she takes inside the 3-point line and 35% behind it. If Freedom were to match up with Waupun, Bartels having a good game is crucial.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Kierstin Kreiwaldt</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Bartels and Kreiwaldt are an elite wing duo. Both are 6-feet tall and are incredibly athletic. Kriedwaldt is much more a playmaker than Bartels. You don’t find many off-ball guards average close to three assists, but she does. Watching her pass is an art, and I’m happy she’ll have more eyes on her.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Rylie Murphy</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Freedom junior may not be a high-usage player, but she makes the right decision every time she has the ball. Murphy’s game is doing whatever she needs to help the Irish win. She takes and makes open shots, rebounds well, and distributes at a decent level. Murphy is Freedom’s x-factor.</span> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">St. Croix Falls</span></h2> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The champions of the Heart O’North Conference are making their first-ever appearance in the state tournament. They beat Altoona in the sectional final to get here, and they’re more resilient than most people think.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="342104" first="Brianna" last="McCurdy"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The St. Croix Falls Junior initiates most of what the Saints do offensively. For the Saints to advance in their first trip to Green Bay, they’ll need to do what they’ve done all season. McCurdy has seemed to be at her best when her team has needed her most. </span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="342357" first="Kelsey" last="Cooper"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The 6-foot sophomore took a step in her development this season. Cooper has been consistent around the basket, and in conference play, her presence kept players out of the paint. Look for Freedom to attack her and get her in foul trouble. If they can’t, the Saints have a chance to play in transition.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Lucy Belisle</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The 5-foot-10 forward is an excellent match with Cooper. Their size led to the Saints beating teams up in the rebounding battle. However, with the size they will be coming up against, Belisle will need to come up big for the Saints.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Kaylee Miron</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">A 5-foot-5 senior is an excellent shooter when given space. Miron will have to knock down some big shots after offensive rebounds by the Saints’ forwards or on swing passes. Miron is this teams’ x-factor.</span> <h2><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Dominican</span></h2> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The Knights are the surprise team at the state tournament. Nobody predicted the fifth-place team in the Metro Class Conference would get here, but here they are. Dominican will be making their second appearance in the state tournament (2011).</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="209603" first="Keona" last="McGee"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The sophomore is a high-volume shooter, and if she catches fire early, she’ll be a problem for Waupun. This game will be determined by how well McGee plays for Dominican.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="156091" first="Alicia" last="Burgos Schroeder"]</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The junior Knight is a crucial piece for Dominican. When Schroeder gets where comfortable, she’s an excellent player. For the Knights to beat Waupun, they will need everyone to be at their best. </span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Victoria Okoro</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The 5-foot-9 junior rebounds and defends at a high level. Okoro earns over three steals per game and rebounds well, with over seven per game. Her defense will get tested in the state semifinal against a talented Waupun team.</span>