Division 4 State Tournament Preview

The Division 4 ranks host a hoard of young talent. If you’re planning on tuning in to see any of these teams, here is your full preview. <h2>Mineral Point</h2> The Pointers are riding a 28-0 record heading into the state tournament. They’ve beaten anyone that’s lined up in front of them this season, and they defeated traditional power Aquinas in the sectional semifinals and upstart New Glarus in the sectional final. [player_tooltip player_id="204138" first="Mallory" last="Lindsey"] The UW-Oshkosh commit has been outstanding in her senior year. Lindsey averages over 15 points per game at an efficient rate this season. The Pointer also boasts an over 2:1 assist to turnover ratio. Everything the Pointers do offensively runs through her. Blair Watters Standing at 6-feet, Watters is a versatile forward. The UW-Platteville commit can beat teams from the perimeter or with her skill on the block. Watters earns over four steals per game, and that level of disruption on the defensive will ruin anyone’s offense. Kennedy Wagner The 6-foot junior, along with Watters, completes the talented frontcourt duo the Pointers possess. Wagner does much more of her damage in the paint, which pairs perfectly with Watters’ ability to stretch the floor. Watch Wagner work in the painted area, and you’ll leave impressed with what she does. Ella Chambers The 5-foot-3 guard is an incredibly scrappy guard who makes things happen on both ends of the floor. Any guard with her height earning more than two and a half steals per game is making her matchup uncomfortable. Katelyn Cox The junior does an excellent job owning her area. Cox is an excellent rebounder, with almost seven per game. The junior is also a consistent performer, and I know she’ll be at her best on Thursday night. <h2>Laconia</h2> The Spartans narrowly escaped No. 4 seed Racine Lutheran in the sectional title game, with a 47-45 overtime win in Brown Deer. Before that game, the Spartans had been running through the postseason. However, the defense this team has played has been outstanding. Outside of that overtime win against Racine Lutheran, Laconia hasn’t allowed more than 31 points in a playoff game. Defense travels. Oh yeah, they also roster nine underclass kids. [player_tooltip player_id="262984" first="Molly" last="Johannes"] The leading scorer for the Spartans is a player neutral observers adore. Defense is a theme throughout this Laconia team. They fly all over the place defensively. Johannes is a fun player to watch on the defensive because she’s not afraid to get after people. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s gotten elbowed in the face a fair amount of times over her career. That said, the Spartans will need her to continue to be disruptive on the defensive end to make it to Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id="342096" first="Tierney" last="Madigan"] Laconia’s star freshman can go nuts at any time. Although the Spartans are defense-first, Madigan has the size (5’10) and the guard skills to get any shot she wants. The lefty has about as aesthetically pleasing a jump shot as you’ll find. Madigan is a breakout candidate this week. [player_tooltip player_id="375953" first="Aubrey" last="Leonard"] Yet another freshman Leonard embodies what this Laconia team is this year. Leonard is as confident as anyone around. If there’s an unsuspecting ball-handler, Leonard isn’t going to hesitate. She will leave her assignment and take the ball as her life depends on it. It’s art. Callista VandeBerg The 6-foot sophomore brings a ton of necessary tools on the defensive end. The main thing is serving as a deterrent for guards going into the paint. You also won’t see her get into foul trouble often. VandenBerg could be a difference-maker. Payton Morgan Another freshman Morgan also has x-factor potential. The 6-foot forward rebounds well but boasts a shooting touch from the outside to boot. If teams don’t prepare for her, they’re playing with fire. <h2>Neillsville</h2> Paris Opelt The sophomore became a threat almost when she stepped onto Neillsville’s campus. This season, Opelt has found a way to become an over 40% 3-point shooter. Not only that, but Opelt also creates havoc defensively, creating transition offense for herself and her teammates. Amelia Trunkel The Warrior junior has been incredibly consistent over the past two seasons. Trunkel consistently scores in double figures and forces turnovers. Her shooting will need to be as good as ever if Neillsville wants to play more than once this coming week. Emma Moseley As talented as this team is, Moseley feels like the most crucial piece to the puzzle. The senior nearly scores 10 points per game. She also grabs over five rebounds and dishes out more than four assists. The Warriors go as Moseley goes. Delaney Rochester The junior guard is possibly the best shooter on a talented Neillsville team. She shoots over 40% from the 3-point line, and in a single game, she could knock down five of those and change the outcome of a game. Paige Vogt The Warrior sophomore does most of her damage around the basket. A player like Vogt could surprise people and propel the Warriors to a win. If she dominates around the basket, she could surprise, especially against an aggressive Laconia defense. <h2>Westfield</h2> The Pioneers have made it to the state tournament after a miraculous stepback game-winning 3-pointer from [player_tooltip player_id="209906" first="Carly" last="Drew"]. They make their return to the state tournament after faltering in the semifinal a season ago. [player_tooltip player_id="209906" first="Carly" last="Drew"] The sophomore guard is one of the best shooters in America’s Dairyland, with splits of 59/47/80. To add to her shooting, she grabs five rebounds, dishes out three assists, and earns over four steals. Drew is an elite prospect, and I can’t wait to see her in person for the first time. Haddie Showen The Pioneer freshman is another breakout candidate this week. I’m partially to blame for not talking about her performance this season, but she’s been excellent. Her shooting splits are almost as impressive as Drew’s, with 59/39/75. Showen could walk out of Green Bay with her floating around the Resch Center. Brandi Lentz The 5-foot-10 wing is also an excellent shooter, shooting 37% from the 3-point line. She also makes plays on the defensive end forcing opposing offenses into mistakes. Lentz is Westfield’s x-factor. Nadia Hoffa Yet is yet another 37% 3-point shooter, Hoffa brings high-level spacing to a team of elite shooters. Hoffa can break a game open if teams pay too much attention to Drew and Showen. Trista Drew The elder Drew is a gifted playmaker. When the senior has the ball, I trust that a good thing will happen. Entering her final week as a high school player, expect that you will see the best that she has this week.