Sectional 3 Division 1: Preview and Prediction

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Brookfield East won Sectional 3 in Division 1 and made an excellent account of themselves in the Resch Center, but came up just short of beating Appleton East. However, this year the sectional is reloaded and up for grabs among four teams. Let's meet the players in this sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>State Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brookfield East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans' lost two starters from last season's sectional champions. However, this team is talented enough to return to the Resch Center. Future Maryville Saint [player_tooltip player_id='156077' first='Annika' last='Pluemer'] was one of the best two-way players in the greater Milwaukee area last season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='266987' first='Shae' last='Kelley'] was the best defensive guard in Wisconsin last season. Kelley also showed improvement on the offensive end this summer. Future West Virginia volleyball player Maddy McGath is also back. However, filling the voids left by Paige Platz and Dri Alberts will be difficult but not impossible. [player_tooltip player_id='209610' first='Ava' last='Burgher'] played well off the bench in short stints last season, and incoming freshman Maya Kovacic looks like she could be one of the most impactful guards in a secondary playmaking role this season. With how this previous season ended, this group feels like it has unfinished business.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Verona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With [player_tooltip player_id='209595' first='Taylor' last='Stremlow'] healthy, this team can win a state title. They've been young for the last few seasons. Most of the Wildcats' role players now are juniors and seniors who've been through the battles emotionally and physically, from getting to the state tournament in a shortened season to last season's struggle to stay healthy. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='206577' first='Paige' last='Lambe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='156057' first='Megan' last='Murphy'] are consistent performers and can be relied upon to make good decisions with the ball under pressure. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='209595' first='Taylor' last='Stremlow'], [player_tooltip player_id='209608' first='Reagan' last='Briggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='444787' first='Maia' last='Ellis'], and Abbi Rupnow can also bring something to the floor. After a season where it felt like they left something on the table when they lost to Waunakee in the regional title game, expect this group to make a run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>Sectional Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arrowhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warhawks could easily be a team that finds themselves at the Resch Center in March. The one hold-up I have is how much turnover there is with this group. They lost Alaina Harper and got a new coach and new system. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='206579' first='Bella' last='Samz'] is one of the most competitive guards and has been on the cusp of getting to the state tournament on multiple occasions. Junior Taylor Thimmesch thrived in the sectional semifinal last season against Sun Prairie. Their incoming class possesses Natalie Kussow, who's drawn plaudits from people around the midwest. I expect growing pains with this group, but if things break right for them, they are talented enough to make it to the Resch Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sun Prairie West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of the Wolves' team was with Sun Prairie East last season. [player_tooltip player_id='206584' first='Marie' last='Outlay'], [player_tooltip player_id='156058' first='Antionique' last='Auston'], and [player_tooltip player_id='157531' first='Avree' last='Antony'] are all with this group. I thought the Cardinals left a lot on the table offensively this previous season and were too slow for the athletes they had on that team. I trust coach McLin to get the most out of this group as she got the most out of last year's group at Madison East while missing a season due to covid shutdowns in Madison. This team may not be close to 100% until the postseason starts. [player_tooltip player_id='157531' first='Avree' last='Antony'] will likely not play until January at the earliest, and even then, I won't expect her to be anywhere near herself for a while. However, coach McLin with this group will be an intriguing team to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>Frisky Regional Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Memorial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans have a new roster and young talent galore. I think it'll be hard for this group to unseat any of the four sectional teams I have, but they are talented, so I won't completely count them out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middleton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='206581' first='Audrey' last='Deptula'] is an outstanding shooter when she's at her best. If there's a night she gets going, she can give a team some headaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waunakee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waunakee lost a lot in seniors Lauren Meudt and Ashley Sawicki. The Warriors are young and could improve a ton throughout the year, but like Madison Memorial, it'll be a big ask for them to unseat the four sectional teams who've been through the battles multiple times before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2>My Sectional Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>Brookfield East</li><li>Verona</li><li>Arrowhead</li><li>Sun Prairie West</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->