Division 3 Sectional Winners: Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's article marks the end of diving into the division three sectionals. Today, I'll make my predictions on who I think will end up taking sectional title plaques in each of these sectionals. Without further ado, let's get into it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>Sectional 1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Croix Falls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After reaching the state tournament for the first time in school history last season, their duo of [player_tooltip player_id='342357' first='Kelsey' last='Cooper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='342104' first='Brianna' last='McCurdy'] are both back this season. They dominated this sectional a year ago, and even though teams around sectional one will naturally improve, so will the Saints. The Saints won all of their sectional games by at least 20 points. Unless something drastic happens, I don't see why the Saints won't return to the Resch Center this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>Sectional 2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freedom</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season feels like one where the Irish have unfinished business. I don't think this team was 21 points worse than Waupun last year, but that was the difference in the D3 state title game last year. The best aspect of the Irish is how much scoring they're getting back. Megan Alexander is a loss for this team in many ways. However, the Irish got back five of their six leading scorers. Winona State commit [player_tooltip player_id='342100' first='Sadie' last='Jarmolowicz'], one of the best guards in Wisconsin, is back. 6-foot wing [player_tooltip player_id='206732' first='Kierstin' last='Kriewaldt'] is back after a summer with Wisconsin Blaze. Most of this group has won in just about everything they've competed in, so I expect this group to be back at the Resch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>Sectional 3</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waupun</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending champs in D3 have one of the most talented trios in Wisconsin. At her best, [player_tooltip player_id='209617' first='Kayl' last='Petersen'] is one of the most unguardable players in the midwest. [player_tooltip player_id='209618' first='Gracie' last='Gopalan'] is arguably the best floor general in Wisconsin. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='374233' first='Lydia' last='Aalsma'] was even one of the most impressive kids I saw play this summer. The Warriors may have some hiccups because they have to fill their rotation with new faces, but I trust their coaches and players will figure things out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>Sectional 4</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Milwaukee Academy of Science</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Novas are another team with unfinished business. Last season, they suffered a disappointing loss to Racine Lutheran. They won't have North Dakota forward Nakiyah Hurst, but they have enough to make a run. [player_tooltip player_id='206728' first='Beautiful' last='Waheed'] and [player_tooltip player_id='206719' first='Lalani' last='Ellis'] are one of the most talented backcourts in Wisconsin, if not the most talented backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='417959' first='Parker' last='Johnson'] will likely play a more prominent role, and she's an extremley skilled wing. The Novas is a team who beat Beaver Dam and blew out Sun Prairie on the road last season, don't take this team lightly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->