Division 2 Sectional 1: Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After going through predictions for the entirety of Division 1, I'm starting Division 2 predictions today. In sectional one last season, Menomonie took the sectional title and gave Notre Dame a game in the state semifinals at the Resch Center. However, with some key losses, the Mustangs won't be a runaway favorite, so this sectional seems like it'll produce a new sectional champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>State Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rice Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, the Warriors showed they could compete with the best teams in this sectional but came up short against Menomonie in the sectional semifinals. The Warriors get back [player_tooltip player_id='342360' first='Eliana' last='Sheplee'] and add her younger sister, 6-foot-2 Adaline Sheplee. With those two on the floor, it'll be difficult for anyone to match up with them. Both are athletic wings who can score from anywhere and get to wherever they want on the floor. I'm high on the Sheplee sisters, but I still may be underestimating the value they could bring to Rice Lake next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunderbirds played a challenging non-conference schedule, which paid off in the postseason. Lakeland ran into a tough matchup against Mosinee, who already beat them twice, and battled from behind all game long to make it to the sectional final last season. Although they came up short, that was an excellent experience. I'd say they have the best player in the sectional in [player_tooltip player_id='156066' first='Julianna' last='Ouimette'], and that will give them an advantage in every matchup they could get in this sectional. Everyone played well to get them to that game against Menomonie. [player_tooltip player_id='338940' first='Kristina' last='Ouimette']r connected on a massive go-ahead 3-pointer late, and [player_tooltip player_id='448291' first='Saylor' last='Timmerman'] earned a double-double against Mosinee. There is potential for this team to get over the hump this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>Sectional Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Menomonie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='329548' first='Mary' last='Berg'] and Sam Jacobson are great players who will win the Mustang's games this season. However, with the seniors they lost, it'll be difficult for them to get back to the Resch Center. However, don't count this team out. Having those two kids on the roster makes them a threat to making a run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New London</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, New London's season will go as well as [player_tooltip player_id='206582' first='Lizzie' last='Steingraber']'s comfort allows them. I don't expect her to be at her best until the postseason, but she is a game-changer. Steingraber can score from anywhere and plays with quiet confidence. At her best, she's one of the best players in this sectional and a tough cover for anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>Frisky Regional Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River Falls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team can be dangerous because of the athletes they can put on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='440846' first='Ella' last='Peters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='266996' first='Keyah' last='Strop'] are incredible athletes who can cover most of the court. There's a chance they out athlete a team and pull off an upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shawano</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='474774' first='Leah' last='Nordin'] is an incredible athlete with size. The six-foot forward has skill and can score from all over the floor. Her length, athleticism, and skill, make it a challenge for defenses to deal with for 36 minutes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->