Division 1, Sectional 1: Preview and Prediction
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After a narrow vote on where to start this series, I’m beginning with previewing sectionals with Division 1 Sectional 1. Last season, Appleton East won this sectional and made it to the state title game, where they lost to Kettle…
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Continue ReadingAfter a narrow vote on where to start this series, I’m beginning with previewing sectionals with Division 1 Sectional 1. Last season, Appleton East won this sectional and made it to the state title game, where they lost to Kettle Moraine. However, with a lot of roster turnover, things look destined to change in the sectional. Let’s look at the teams in this sectional.
State Title Contenders
Hortonville
There probably wasn’t a team more frustrated group to end last season as the Polar Bears were after their sectional semifinal. Although they have a reason to be upset with how things ended, they put themselves in a position for what happened to occur late in the game. Even though this group has a new coach and lost Ms. Basketball Kamy Peppler, starting center Maggie Werner, and defensive ace Lyric Johnson this group still has the makeup of one of the best teams in the state. The Polar Bears are an elite defensive group with versatility all over the place. There aren’t many better defensive frontcourts than MiKayla Werner MiKayla Werner 6'0" | PF Hortonville | 2024 State WI and Kallie Peppler Kallie Peppler 6'0" | PF Hortonville | 2024 State WI in the midwest. Trinity Mocadlo Trinity Mocadlo 5'8" | PG Hortonville | 2023 State WI is more than capable of running an elite offense for this team while playing elite defense. It also doesn’t hurt having one of the most talented rising sophomores in the midwest and last season’s leading scorer Rainey Welson Rainey Welson 5'9" | CG Hortonville | 2025 State WI back after an impressive summer with North Tartan.
Neenah
When I talk about how good Neenah is, it starts with Allie Ziebell Allie Ziebell 5'11" | SG Neenah | 2024 State WI , but it doesn’t end with her. Yes, Ziebell is one of the best rising juniors in the country and possibly the best all-around scorer by a country mile, but this Neenah team is deep and guard-heavy. Former Xavier guard, Sammie Buss Sammie Buss 5'5" | PG Neenah | 2023 State WI , transferred to Neenah this season and will be ready to go, along with her younger sister Ellie, who showed loads of ability this summer with her Playmakers/Thrive team. Amaya Jones Amaya Jones 6'1" | C Neenah | 2024 State WI was the unsung hero in last year’s matchup with Hortonville in the sectional final with 12 points and seven rebounds. Guard, Ava Kok Ava Kok 5'6" | CG Neenah | 2023 State WI was a release valve for this team and is back for her senior campaign. Even incoming freshman guard Rowan Klesmit looks like a player you can trust with the ball in pressure situations. Don’t expect this team to turn the ball over that much next season.
Sectional Contenders
Wausau West
The Spartans have a well-rounded unit, with senior Lexie White Lexie White 5'11" | SG Wausau West | 2023 State WI leading this group in scoring. The Truman State commit’s one of the most underrated scorers in this state and could win a game the Spartans shouldn’t win with her offense alone. Kelly Kray Kelly Kray 6'2" | PF Wausau West | 2024 State WI has improved her offensive game this summer while showing she’s one of the most athletic forwards in the state. Senior guard Kenzie Deaton does all that will lead to wins. If the seemingly obvious Sectional Final doesn’t occur, suspect that Wausau West was the one who spoiled the party.
Eau Claire Memorial
The Old Abe’s have young talent that can surprise some people. Led by Minnesota-Mankato commit Lily Cayley Lily Cayley 5'8" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2023 State WI , this team can play fast. When given space, Cayley can be incredibly challenging to defend. Although they lost four seniors, rising junior Jordyn Peed Jordyn Peed 5'9" | SG Eau Claire Memorial | 2024 State WI and rising sophomore Rayna Welsch could contribute more than some would expect. They’ll get tested against talented teams in the Big Rivers and were one point away from sectionals last season.
Superior
You can’t count out a team who made sectionals last season. Superior is always a mystery because they play in a conference based out of Minnesota, but they’re talented and return their main scoring threats and most of their rotation.
Frisky Regional Teams
Appleton East
I’ll never count out a Sammi Beyer Sammi Beyer 5'7" | CG Appleton East | 2023 State WI -led team to make a run when it matters. She’s been in big games her entire high school career, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this Appleton East team surprised some teams. Don’t forget they still have a handful of kids who played minutes at state last year. Even though they lost a lot of talent, they still have a lot.
Hudson
The Raiders return Grace Lewis and Olivia Grothaus Olivia Grothaus 5'11" | CG Hudson | 2024 State WI , both big 5-foot-11 athletic forwards. They can defend and do various things offensively.
Appleton West
It’s unfortunate that Olivia Peterson Olivia Peterson 5'6" | SG Appleton West | 2023 State WI and City Figlinski City Figlinski 5'9" Appleton West | 2023 WI play in the FVA. I feel that they fly under-the-radar because of who they play on a consistent basis. However, that backcourt is one of the better backcourts in the state. With rankings the way they were last year, they got the short end of the stick, but depending on how things shake out, they could cause problems in the regional rounds.
My Predicted Sectional Teams
- Hortonville
- Neenah
- Wausau West
- Eau Claire Memorial