Way-Too-Early D1 Predictions

I finished writing on the Champions Classic, so let's return to some high school stuff. The WIAA released Sectional Groupings about two weeks ago, and a lot was said about them, fairly and unfairly. Regardless, I'm releasing my way-too-early predictions for D1 and D2 today.   S1   Winner: Hortonville   I never bet against guard play and experience, which will be a trend. [player_tooltip player_id='374227' first='Rainey' last='Welson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533074' first='Kardyn' last='Peppler'] are one of the most talented backcourts in the state, and each has experience playing at the highest level.   Runner Up: Hudson   The Raiders lose a lot in their 2024 class but will have plenty of youth next season. [player_tooltip player_id='751276' first='Olivia' last='LaBlanc'] will hopefully be healthy and continue where she left off in her first few games. [player_tooltip player_id='814306' first='Devin' last='Larson'] will be one of the best athletes in this sectional, and more young players coming through who will likely be rotational players at worst this coming year.   Regional Winner: Appleton East   The main three are back for Appleton East. [player_tooltip player_id='448322' first='Torie' last='Neubauer'], [player_tooltip player_id='338969' first='Lilly' last='Meulemans'], and [player_tooltip player_id='749048' first='Ella' last='Sweeney']. Those three are all skilled and can hurt defenses and score in bunches. The most significant aspect of this group is that Neubauer and Meulemans will have a coach for more than one year, barring any unforeseen changes.   Regional Winner: Appleton North   The Lightning took a significant step forward and finished fourth in the FVA last year. [player_tooltip player_id='838113' first='Avery' last='Werfal'] was one of the top newcomers in the state last season, [player_tooltip player_id='890999' first='Sophie' last='Busch'] became one of the better wings in the conference, and [player_tooltip player_id='533062' first='Tay' last='Maass'] was a highly productive forward. The future is bright there.   S2   Winner: Pewaukee   I firmly believe the best two teams in the state the last three years were Pewaukee and Notre Dame, and Pewaukee has all their kids back that won a state title last year, minus an injury here or there. The Pirates have gone from the hunters to the hunted this season.   Runner Up: Hartford   Rough luck for Hartford, winning the toughest sectional in the state, only to have Notre Dame and Pewaukee inserted into that sectional to make it more challenging. However, they have the offensive firepower to overwhelm anyone when they make shots.   Regional Winner: Kimberly   I'd argue Kimberly still has one of the deepest teams in the state, and if it weren't for the worst luck leading into Sectionals, they could've made it to state, but it wasn't to be for them. They have almost everyone back but won't be healthy for a while. The Papermakers still have the talent to get out of here, and the year of experience for their 2026s and 2027s could be more valuable than we realize.   Regional Winner: Notre Dame   The Tritons lost their class of 2024 and have some restructuring to do this coming season. [player_tooltip player_id='338948' first='Peyton' last='Musial'] and [player_tooltip player_id='842199' first='Kaia' last='Waldrop'] return and will provide some experience after three scholarship-level talents move on to the next level. I still trust this group to figure out how to make it out of regionals.   S3   Winner: Arrowhead   The D1 defending state champions still have one of the most talented groups in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow'] is coming off a dominant weekend in Green Bay last season and will likely continue her excellence in the Classic Eight this season. Her running mates, [player_tooltip player_id='533069' first='Presly' last='Samz'], [player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore'], and [player_tooltip player_id='751284' first='Sidney' last='Zehner'], are a year older and have big-game experience. Don't forget about them.   Runner Up: Kettle Moraine   The Lasers were a few possessions away from a Sectional Final last year but ultimately fell short against then-undefeated Oregon. Their core of [player_tooltip player_id='602360' first='Keegan' last='Lodes']-[player_tooltip player_id='767268' first='Emily' last='Gomez']-[player_tooltip player_id='338955' first='Lola' last='Bond'] are back for their senior seasons, and even though they lost some seniors, they do have an influx of youth program kids coming through, and a few will likely take rotational minutes off the bat.   Regional Winner: Verona   No players are still a Wildcat from Verona's miraculous trip to state in 2020. Their group is guard-oriented again, but not like it has been. Alli Jirsa and [player_tooltip player_id='448288' first='Emily' last='Jensen'] are solid pieces to the group, and they have other kids who'll play prominent roles for the Wildcats.   Regional Winner: Madison Memorial   I feel like it's the Spartans' time to break through out of Regionals. They have the talent to compete for the Big Eight title and make a run this season. They nearly beat Oregon on the road for a Regional Title last season, and I think they'll get over the hump this season.   S4   Winner: Muskego   The Warriors led most of their game against Franklin in the Sectional Final last year but came up just short of a trip to state. Muskego lost a few integral players like [player_tooltip player_id='337019' first='Addy' last='Zacher']. However, they still have a talented group headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='528116' first='Autumn' last='Dibb'], [player_tooltip player_id='528122' first='Melena' last='Glysch'], and [player_tooltip player_id='528119' first='Rachel' last='Agg']. They'll walk into this season as favorites to get out of S4.   Runner Up: Oak Creek   Nobody preps as much as Oak Creek. Sometimes, they know what the opposing offense wants to do before the ball gets inbounded. They always lose integral pieces of their rotation but always figure things out. I don't expect that to change next year. If they're healthy, they'll make a run.   Regional Winner: Kenosha Bradford   After losing Nevaeh Thomas and Syderah Farmer a few years ago, the Red Devils did an excellent job filling that void with kids like [player_tooltip player_id='914325' first='Iyanna' last='Green'], the Keys girls, and [player_tooltip player_id='751280' first='Rihanna' last='Barker']. They have a group who plays hard and can create extra possessions for themselves. I wouldn't be surprised if they made a deep run.   Regional Winner: Westosha Central   Picking Westosha Central is my deep cut of this list. [player_tooltip player_id='888387' first='Lana' last='Mannetter'] might be one of the most productive newcomers coming into Southeast Wisconsin next year. Having her raises the ceiling of this team immensely.

I finished writing on the Champions Classic, so let's return to some high school stuff. The WIAA released Sectional Groupings about two weeks ago, and a lot was said about them, fairly and unfairly. Regardless, I'm releasing my way-too-early predictions for D1 and D2 today.