Way-Too-Early D2 Predictions

S1   Winner: Lakeland   [player_tooltip player_id='338940' first='Kristina' last='Ouimette'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448291' first='Saylor' last='Timmerman'] are one of the top frontcourts in the state. Ouimette is among the top shooters in Wisconsin, and Timmerman brings the physicality to balance out their frontcourt. I like this team's chances to get back to state.   Runner Up: Rice Lake   After losing a kid like Eli Sheplee, there is still plenty of talent back this season. [player_tooltip player_id='533077' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee'], Addison Schmidt, and Lucie Habas are all back with experience playing competitive games in the BRC and could take that final step to the Resch Center.   Regional Winner: Shawano   [player_tooltip player_id='474774' first='Leah' last='Nordin'] is talented enough to change the outcome of games herself. They've lost some talent, but Nordin's season will be intriguing.   Regional Winner: New London   Some younger talent coming through the ranks at New London, like [player_tooltip player_id='879081' first='Morgan' last='Jones'], could help the Bulldogs make some noise. They have a higher ceiling than most in their sectional but will have some struggles along the way.   S2   Winner: West De Pere   The Phantoms have been unlucky with the injury bug over the past few years. When they get everyone back, the Phantoms have the tools to reach the Resch Center. [player_tooltip player_id='329595' first='Ella' last='Francois'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448251' first='Faith' last='Walder'] make up one of the best backcourt duos in Wisconsin. [player_tooltip player_id='448304' first='Madisyn' last='Berggren'] could also be a kid who could swing some games for the Phantoms with her shooting.   Runner Up: Waukesha West   There isn't a Union Grove anymore that can get in the Wolverines' way. [player_tooltip player_id='602353' first='Jordan' last='Fenske'] will be at her best in her senior season and is arguably the best player in this sectional. Their current sophomores, [player_tooltip player_id='533083' first='Taylor' last='Gifford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='766621' first='Abby' last='Finger'], could take another significant step, and [player_tooltip player_id='751242' first='Ava' last='Spratt'] will be better with a year of experience.   Regional Winner: Beaver Dam   After a season of drama and change, the Golden Beavers will hope for a fresh start and an uneventful offseason. [player_tooltip player_id='533067' first='Nataya' last='Donaldson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='842257' first='Sheamarie' last='Ashley'] will be relied upon heavily to get Beaver Dam rolling this season. Donaldson could be in line for more usage this season with the 2024 class walking out the door.   Regional Winner: Eisenhower   The defensive tools are there for Ike to be a stubborn team to play in a postseason game. [player_tooltip player_id='448297' first='Megan' last='McDowell'] is one of the better defensive posts in the greater Milwaukee area, and [player_tooltip player_id='448259' first='Autumn' last='Tevz'] is a formidable defensive guard. This group could junk a game up and beat a team with more talent. These Lions are also an experienced group on top of that.   S3   Winner: Edgewood   The loss of [player_tooltip player_id='209589' first='Taya' last='Fernandez'] is scary, but a year of experience for [player_tooltip player_id='764918' first='Anna' last='Miller'] with a D3 title excites me about this group. That kid can strangle the will of an opposing team in a game. She doesn't do anything she doesn't have to. Miller is a methodical winner. Having kids like [player_tooltip player_id='914305' first='Erin' last='Schauer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='995775' first='Maren' last='Schmotzer'] also gives this team a championship pedigree that could get the Crusaders over the hump.   Runner Up: West Salem   [player_tooltip player_id='448247' first='Megan' last='Johnson'] took a leap in her junior season. She was dominant in big games. I'm still in awe of her 40-point explosion against McFarland in the Sectional Final last season. Kids like Josie Brudos can help this team make some noise, but the guards of Edgewood might be too much for the Panthers. That contrast of styles could be intriguing.   Regional Winner: DeForest   The Norskies always do a solid job retooling. Sure, DeForest lost two talented kids in Jada Kelliher and [player_tooltip player_id='209901' first='Rylan' last='Oberg'], but I trust that they can fill that void with kids like [player_tooltip player_id='842268' first='Jordyn' last='Derlein'] and [player_tooltip player_id='914978' first='Alexis' last='Accuardi'] in unique ways. Both may see more usage and could perform as all-conference players.   Regional Winner: Elkhorn   [player_tooltip player_id='533068' first='Kyrin' last='Lile'] looks much better than a year ago and could be a kid who helps the Elks pull off another upset this season. She's a dynamic forward and one of the more dangerous kids in this sectional. [player_tooltip player_id='667660' first='Emilyn' last='Bonow'] is another kid whose shooting could help swing a game.   S4   Winner: Wauwatosa East   The Red Raiders have the two things I look for in teams to make a run, guard play, and experience. [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'] looks like one of the top guards in the junior class, [player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close'] has come along nicely, [player_tooltip player_id='766594' first='Audrey' last='Sellinger'] is a solid leader for this group, and there are more kids comfortable playing heavy minutes if called upon on a given night. It's hard to bet against this group this season.   Runner Up: Union Grove   [player_tooltip player_id='995793' first='Samantha' last='Hafferkamp'] is back, which gives me enough faith that this group can return to where they were a season ago for a possible rematch with Tosa East.   Regional Winner: Pius XI   The Popes have been so close, yet so far, of the state tournament the last three years. They ran into the Pewaukee buzzsaw for two years, then were a few possessions away from knocking off Tosa East in the Sectional Semis. They have talented guards and could beat Wauwatosa East if that game happens again this season, but keep an eye on Whitefish Bay here. This subsection is loaded.   Regional Winner: Whitnall   The Falcons fell short of Union Grove last season and weren't far off from them. [player_tooltip player_id='654832' first='Riley' last='Ward'] and [player_tooltip player_id='489577' first='Ella' last='Koch'] are solid players, and other kids could hurt defenses on this Whitnall team. It's a toss-up for me between Whitnall and Union Grove.