Division 2 Sectional 1: Predictions
In this article:
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.…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAfter 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.
State Contenders
Rice Lake
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 Eliana Sheplee Eliana Sheplee 5'10" | SG Rice Lake | 2024 State WI 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.
Lakeland
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 Julianna Ouimette Julianna Ouimette 5'9" | CG Lakeland | 2023 State WI , 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. Kristina Ouimette Kristina Ouimette 6'1" | PF Lakeland | 2025 State WI r connected on a massive go-ahead 3-pointer late, and Saylor Timmerman Saylor Timmerman 6'0" | PF Lakeland | 2025 State WI earned a double-double against Mosinee. There is potential for this team to get over the hump this season.
Sectional Teams
Menomonie
Mary Berg Mary Berg 5'7" | PG Menomonie | 2024 State WI 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.
New London
This season, New London’s season will go as well as Lizzie Steingraber Lizzie Steingraber 5'10" | SF New London | 2023 State WI ‘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.
Frisky Regional Teams
River Falls
This team can be dangerous because of the athletes they can put on the floor. Ella Peters Ella Peters 6'0" | SF River Falls | 2023 State WI and Keyah Strop Keyah Strop 5'7" | CG River Falls | 2024 State WI are incredible athletes who can cover most of the court. There’s a chance they out athlete a team and pull off an upset.
Shawano
Incoming freshman Leah Nordin Leah Nordin 6'1" | PF Shawano | 2026 State WI 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.