Sectional 2 Division 2: Predictions
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Following our look at sectional one yesterday, we move on to sectional two today. This sectional hosted the eventual champion of division two, Notre Dame. However, Beaver Dam gave them a game in the sectional final but fell short due…
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Continue ReadingFollowing our look at sectional one yesterday, we move on to sectional two today. This sectional hosted the eventual champion of division two, Notre Dame. However, Beaver Dam gave them a game in the sectional final but fell short due to second-half turnovers. Although these teams return most of their roster, other teams in sectional two are capable of making a run. Let’s meet some of the teams in sectional two.
State Contenders
Notre Dame
The Tritons have won back-to-back state titles and return all but two kids to their rotation. Star sophomores Gracie Grzesk Gracie Grzesk 6'0" | SF Green Bay Notre Dame | 2024 State WI , Trista Fayta Trista Fayta 5'8" | PG Green Bay Notre Dame | 2024 State WI , and Sydney Whitehouse Sydney Whitehouse 5'9" | SF Green Bay Notre Dame | 2024 State WI return following an impressive AAU run with Purple Aces , defeating multiple EYBL teams this past summer. Peyton Musial Peyton Musial 6'0" | SG Notre Dame | 2025 State WI returns, likely receiving a more prominent role for the Tritons. The Tritons also get back Hope Barington Hope Barington 5'10" | SF Green Bay Notre Dame | 2023 State WI after a solid summer, which resulted in multiple college offers. The main question surrounding this team is; how will they replace UW-Oshkosh freshman Sarah Hardwick? They won’t have that clear five that they had last season. However, Grzesk is more than capable of taking the exact role that Hardwick had, but it may limit her all-around game because she’s much more than a screener, interior defender, and scorer. Fayta will continue to run the high-level offense for the Tritons, and Whitehouse and Barington will hustle and create extra possessions all year. If we’re to have a new champion in division two, it’ll likely involve beating Notre Dame.
Beaver Dam
The Golden Beavers have all the right to believe they should’ve beaten Notre Dame in the sectional final. They were the better team in the first half of that game, but their Achilles heel was turnovers, and that’s what did them in. The Golden Beavers only lost one rotation player to graduation and have back their entire starting five. However, the Golden Beavers already have questions regarding their health. With some key figures’ health in question heading into the season, Beaver Dam will look for new contributors in their absence. Senior Maddi Kuenzi will have to take another step in her playmaking and scoring, along with fellow senior Bella Oestriecher. Both have shown they can be that player in spurts but need to add consistency. Senior Kylie Wittnebel Kylie Wittnebel 6'0" | PF Beaver Dam | 2023 WI has to finish better around the basket. Freshman Nataya Donaldson Nataya Donaldson 5'8" | CG Beaver Dam | 2026 State WI could be the x-factor for this team this season.
Sectional Teams
Watertown
The Goslings dropped to division 2 and could compete to play in a sectional final. They nearly beat Beaver Dam late last season, and their 1-3-1 zone will give teams problems. Drew Henrichs and Ellie Demet Ellie Demet 5'8" | SG Watertown | 2024 State WI are athletic wings who can make tough shots.
West De Pere
The Phantoms’ backcourt of sophomores of Ella Francois Ella Francois 5'7" | PG West De Pere | 2025 State WI and Faith Walder Faith Walder 5'5" | PG West De Pere | 2025 State WI and senior Katie Waukau Katie Waukau 5'7" | CG West De Pere | 2023 State WI can compete with any backcourt in division two. Last season this group may have been too young to make that step in contention, but this season could be a year where West De Pere surprises some teams.
Cedarburg
Losing Claire Deiner will change how this team plays, but it may work for this team. The Bulldogs have talented guards like Reagan Pahl Reagan Pahl 5'6" | CG Cedarburg | 2023 State WI , Mary Stroebel Mary Stroebel 5'8" | SG Cedarburg | 2024 State WI , Mimi Hart, Ella Rollison, and Hannah Somorin Hannah Somorin 5'8" | PG Cedarburg | 2024 WI . They should take care of the ball and defend the perimeter well.
Frisky Regional Teams
Fox Valley Lutheran
Last season, the Foxes went to sectionals but ended up being knocked out by Notre Dame. Emily Jaenke Emily Jaenke 5'10" | CG Fox Valley Luthern | 2023 State WI is the reigning 3-point champion in Wisconsin, and anytime she makes shots, this team is dangerous.
Grafton
The Black Hawks have talented guards who can make shots and create. This team can compete at the top of the North Shore Conference. I need to see them beat sectional-level teams to put them in that category, but they have the talent to play in sectionals this season.
My Sectional Teams
- Notre Dame
- Beaver Dam
- Watertown
- West De Pere