Way-Too-Early D5 Predictions

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 D5 and audit your 23-24 picks today.   S1   Winner: New Auburn   D5 has turnover every year. Some teams dominated that fallback, and vice versa. New Auburn has the signs of a team that could take a massive step this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1241336' first='Nora' last='Jensen'] is back for her junior season, the Trojans aren't in a conference that tends to have their top teams lose early each year, and Kyra North is back, who created a few turnovers for them on the defensive end. There have been deep runs made by Lakeland-East teams, and this could be one of those teams.   Runner Up: Owen-Withee   A brutal first half against Clear Lake crushed the possibility of the Blackhawks winning their Sectional Title game a year ago, but they have most of their kids back. Owen-Withee returns five of their six kids who scored more than five points per game last season. Their scoring is spread evenly across their rotation from one to six. Experience is on their side.   Regional Winner: Clayton   Hayden Bergmann is at the core of what Clayton does. She plays at the top of their zone defense and generates multiple live-ball turnovers per game. She's a frantic defender who helps the Bears generate easy points. Watch for her to make this group more competitive than expected.   Regional Winner: Winter   Maddisyn Dalrymple could be one of the most productive kids in this sectional. She's a raw talent, but Dalrymple could make the difference in a postseason game.   S2   Winner: Lena   The Wildcats were a stepback three away from winning a state title last season, and they return [player_tooltip player_id='767273' first='Eva' last='Brooks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='842247' first='Madi' last='Thomson']. Those two were arguably the most productive duo in Wisconsin, and you can't bet against a team that went through the disappointment they went through that afternoon.   Runner Up: Pacelli   [player_tooltip player_id='876098' first='Jaedyn' last='Zdroik'] injected some scoring into Pacelli, which led them to a dominant season that fell short of the ultimate goal. The Cardinals are young and have some experience heading into the 2nd year of their 2027 class. They could get out of this sectional, but if Lena is on a mission, they may be a year away from Green Bay.   Regional Winner: Assumption   The Royals were the first victim of the Albany/Monticello heart attack run that culminated in a state title. However, the Royals return some talented guards, Sarah Shaw in her senior season and Jordyn Jaglinksi in her junior season. Anna Schooley's experience in the frontcourt could also pay dividends. The fact I'd have them not making a Sectional Title game again should show how talented this sectional is at the top.    Regional Winner: Sevastopol   Naomi Rikkola is a do-it-all kid for Sevastopol, and I can't see her not earning a regional title plaque in her senior season.   S3   Winner: Barneveld   The record may not have reflected how solid Barneveld was last year, but this team could get out of this sectional without Argyle/Pecatonica in D4. [player_tooltip player_id='533073' first='Izabel' last='Durst'] might be the best guard in D5, and as I've said, guard play wins games in the postseason.   Runner Up: Blair-Taylor   The Wildcats were D5 runner-ups in 2023 but lost Lindsay Steien and Abby Thompson that spring to graduation. That level of guards may elude them for decades, but they have some talent back in their backcourt. Sam Aguilar and Andi Beck were a solid pairing last season and took a talented Royall team to the brink. [player_tooltip player_id='842237' first='Andrea' last='Waldera'], their 6-1 post-player, has the tools to become a highly productive two-way player this season.   Regional Winner: Cashton   The defensive prowess of Cashton makes me believe they can make a run. In their final game against an experienced Cochrane-Fountain City team, the Eagles held them under 50 but couldn't score enough. Their defense will give them a puncher's chance.   Regional Winner: Belmont   Belmont has the tools to get to the state tournament. Belmont has plenty of returners from last year that fell just short against Wauzeka-Steuben. However, the challenge will be with Barneveld if that matchup comes to fruition.   S4   Winner: Sheboygan Lutheran   In the last three years, Sheboygan Lutheran was in D5 in 2021-22 and D4 in 2022-23 to 2023-24. In 2022, D5 31-0 champions Randolph beat them. In the last two years, they've lost to one of the best small public schools in the region in Laconia. There isn't a team who's been more unlucky in sectional placements than Sheboygan Lutheran. However, they'd be my pick to win D5 and finally get over that hump.   Runner Up: Albany/Monticello   After winning the D5 title last season, the Comets lost most of that core group. However, [player_tooltip player_id='448295' first='Abby' last='Hollis'] is back for her senior season. Hollis' ability to make shots will keep her team in the conversation for a trip back to Green Bay.   Regional Winner: Lourdes Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='448293' first='Hailee' last='Bauer'] is one of the better guards in D5 and has been solid since her freshman season. She's had high-scoring outputs in the past, which could lead to an upset if teams aren't careful.   Regional Winner: Palmyra-Eagle   The Panthers have most of their core kids back, which could lead to them becoming the team that comes out of the bottom half of this sectional.

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 D5 and audit your 23-24 picks today.