Analyzing the D2 No. 1 Seeds

We won't get into the meat of Regionals until later this week, so we'll dive into all the contenders in each division before Thursday. We'll continue with D2 today and head down the list when we get to D5 on Thursday. We'll start with the No. 1 seeds in one article and discuss other contenders in another article.   Menomonie   Since the Mustangs are up in the Northwest, people can overlook their success over the past few seasons. People forget they still have prominent players from the group that went to the Resch Center in 2022 and gave Notre Dame a run for their money for most of that game.    [player_tooltip player_id='329548' first='Mary' last='Berg'] is shooting the ball as well as she ever has, [player_tooltip player_id='342359' first='Sam' last='Jacobsen'] is still among the top drivers in the state, and having [player_tooltip player_id='767283' first='Brooklyn' last='Birt'] be an inside-out threat balances out their offense.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/Mary-Berg-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-857049" /></figure>   The Mustangs won the Big Rivers outright and have some momentum heading into the postseason.   A trip to the Resch Center would be the second in program history.   Notre Dame   There's no way around it. The Tritons have had as dominant a run as any program in Wisconsin ever. They've won three straight titles, went four years without losing a game in the FRCC, and figured out how to win games.    Their core group of seniors who've been around for this era are all kids who can swing games in a few possessions. [player_tooltip player_id='209880' first='Gracie' last='Grzesk'] has been as dominant of a player with her back to the basket as we've seen over the past few years, and she does so much more for them. [player_tooltip player_id='209879' first='Trista' last='Fayta'] has never been a flashy lead guard but seems to win 99% of the time she plays, which I assume isn't a coincidence. [player_tooltip player_id='209882' first='Sydney' last='Whitehouse'] has also developed into a premier wing defender while taking up minutes as a lead guard and drastically improving her shooting over the past four years.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/08/Gracie-Grzesk.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-746274" /></figure>   Those were just their seniors. The Tritons have plenty of other kids who play significant roles. [player_tooltip player_id='338948' first='Peyton' last='Musial'] is a kid they'll rely on heavily next year. However, her ability to space the floor, get to the basket, use athleticism on the defensive end, and guard multiple positions is valuable with how this roster looks. [player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop']'s physicality and skill around the basket allow everyone else to slot into their natural positions. The wildcard for this group may be [player_tooltip player_id='842209' first='Aspen' last='Abel']. I'm unsure if she'll be up to speed with everything they have because she transferred over during the semester break and has a whole new system to learn, but she had an excellent first half at Beaver Dam. If she were to have big moments at the Resch Center, I wouldn't be surprised.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Kaia-Waldrop.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-845363" /></figure>   The Tritons are looking for their 11th trip to the State Tournament and their seventh state title.   Beaver Dam   The talent is there. However, this season has been bumpy from start to finish, but still earned a No. 1 seed.   They've had kids in and out of the lineup, transfers, a new coaching staff a month before the season, and have looked unsure of themselves offensively when push has come to shove.   [player_tooltip player_id='209588' first='Gabby' last='Wilke'] is a talented four and has shown flashes of brilliance, but their season will likely ride on their guards.   [player_tooltip player_id='533067' first='Nataya' last='Donaldson']'s creation off the dribble, [player_tooltip player_id='521881' first='Annika' last='Salettel']'s defense, and [player_tooltip player_id='842257' first='Sheamarie' last='Ashley']'s ability to navigate presses will make or break them this season.   Donaldson is their best source of offense when their sets aren't working because she's comfortable in uncomfortable situations. In the two games I've seen, their offense gets sloppy when she's not involved.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/05/Nataya-Donaldson-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-660998" /></figure>   Salettel has proven to be a premier defender in the Badger Conference, and if there's a DPOY award in that conference, I'd probably vote for her.   All this is to say, I understand why things haven't been smooth sailing, but they should still at least make a Sectional Final.   The Golden Beavers are looking for their seventh trip to the state tournament and their fourth state title.   Pewaukee   Two trips to the state title game, and each time, they've tripped up against Notre Dame, but this year could be different.   They've been underclassmen who probably pressed too hard in those games to make plays when Notre Dame made their run and maybe put too much focus internally on beating them instead of being themselves.   Each time I've seen Pewaukee this season, they look more mature, laser-focused on the process, and unbothered about who's on the other sideline.   [player_tooltip player_id='374229' first='Amy' last='Terrian'] is the unquestioned emotional leader on this team, and the Pirates go as she goes, and that's probably a coach's dream. Her work ethic and competitive nature are unmatched, and there's a reason she'll probably land on an all-state team again.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Amy-Terrian-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-846335" /></figure>   The other two kids who're crucial to what they do defensively are [player_tooltip player_id='448223' first='Anna' last='Terrian'] and [player_tooltip player_id='536013' first='Giselle' last='Janowski']. Defensively, those two complement each other perfectly. Giselle is a pest of an on-ball defender and wants the challenge of guarding the other team's best player, and Anna is one of the best off-ball defenders you'll find. If you attack the basket, expect Terrian to try and take a charge.   They have so much guard depth they can't even play all of them. However, [player_tooltip player_id='333100' first='Kennedy' last='Retherford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533086' first='Kylie' last='Pieper'], the two other starters, have stepped up in a massive way this season.   Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='766616' first='Maddie' last='Chabot'] in games against teams with size.   The Pirates are seeking their fourth trip to the state tournament and their first state title.   West Salem   The Panthers won their Sectional in D3 a year ago and lost to the eventual champs, Kewaskum. However, their best kid, [player_tooltip player_id='448247' first='Megan' last='Johnson'], is back and as good as ever.   Johnson is as physical of an undersized forward as you'll find and does an excellent job as an offensive focal point.   McFarland   Last season, the Spartans came up just short in a main-event caliber game against Notre Dame.   [player_tooltip player_id='209586' first='Teagan' last='Mallegni'] is as crucial to McFarland's success as any other kid with their respective program in any division. Everything goes through Mallegni, and she's earned that responsibility over the past three seasons. Her teammates all trust her to make plays, and with her track record, why wouldn't you?   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/11/Teagan-Mallegni-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-812897" /></figure>   The other two kids who need to be outstanding are [player_tooltip player_id='337014' first='Ava' last='Dean'] and [player_tooltip player_id='209598' first='Brynn' last='Kirch']. Dean plays as an undersized forward but can power through anyone, and Kirch's ability to handle the ball allows Mallegni to not do everything each time down the floor. Even though she plays like a superhero, she can still get fatigued over 36 minutes if she has to do everything.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/Ava-Dean-4.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-857050" /></figure>   West Salem is seeking their fifth trip to the state tournament and their first state title.   Wauwatosa East   The Red Raiders have an abundance of guards, and they're all young.   [player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close'], [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'], [player_tooltip player_id='509715' first='Sadie' last='Kubacki'], and Malaya Taylor are all sophomore guards who have significant roles.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/Mikaia-Litza-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-857051" /></figure>   Litza is their offensive hub that can create off the dribble for herself and others. Close is more of the scorer of the group. Kubacki makes all the extra effort plays and knocks down open shots. Taylor is the one I'm most intrigued by in the sense that she may get more minutes, especially in this subsection, than she may be used to getting. Her defense could be indispensable against some of these guard-heavy teams.   [player_tooltip player_id='766594' first='Audrey' last='Sellinger'] must stay on the floor, or things can get shaky. She may not be the tallest kid on the floor most of the time, but her size at 5-10 or 5-11 gives them some length to throw at other team's post players.   The Red Raiders are looking for their third trip to the state tournament, their first since 1981, and their second state title.   Union Grove   [player_tooltip player_id='995793' first='Samantha' last='Hafferkamp'] has been excellent this season.   Her ability to score has eased the pain of losing the seniors they had a year ago when they made it to a Sectional Final. They'll need to be at their best to take that final step.   Union Grove is seeking their first trip to the state tournament in program history.

We won't get into the meat of Regionals until later this week, so we'll dive into all the contenders in each division before Thursday. We'll continue with D2 today and head down the list when we get to D5 on Thursday. We'll start with the No. 1 seeds in one article and discuss other contenders in another article.