My D3 Sectional Two Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next two days, we're wrapping up my official sectional predictions for 2024-25. The only division I haven't picked yet is Division 3, which we'll start today with Sectionals One and Two and close things out with Three and Four tomorrow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Champion: Freedom</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Irish have plenty of talent depth but have run into injury issues the past few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='329579' first='Haley' last='Reed'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448321' first='Breana' last='Dickrell'] are two excellent shooters who've missed significant time in their high school careers due to injuries. Dickrell should be a welcomed addition in her first complete season back, and Reed hopefully returns at some point in her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside of those two, [player_tooltip player_id='528117' first='Gracie' last='Martzhal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='528118' first='Abbie' last='Cropsey'] are reliable members of the Irish's backcourt and frontcourt. Those two have been mainstays since their 2023 class graduated and will be relied upon in their senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Champion: Winneconne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only six-seed to reach sectionals last season was the Winneconne Wolves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='751291' first='Grace' last='Mitchell'] is a legitimate threat whenever she touches the ball, and with another year of experience, should be better. The now sophomore could be one of the surprises of the sophomore class around the state this season if her efficiency numbers rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'0 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1162234' first='Harper' last='Neace'] also had an excellent first season for the Wolves last season, earning a couple of double-doubles. Her pairing with Mitchell could open some doors for them over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Runner-Up: Wittenberg-Brinamwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers are on the cusp of a state tournament and have the talent to reach a sectional title game again in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='842221' first='Melaina' last='Granquist'] and Rory Salvsen are a paring that has the athleticism and skillset to break games open and have multiple times in Central Wisconsin over the past few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salvsen, a Minnesota softball commit, is a taller lead guard who can attack off the dribble and create chaos in opposing backcourts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Granquist is a talented three or four who can score inside and out and adds plenty of size to compete with posts in D3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Champion: Xavier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A knee injury for [player_tooltip player_id='751258' first='Elle' last='Krull'] stings, but there's still plenty of talent to work with at Xavier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her older sisters, Brynn and Joy, will be on the floor together for the first time at Xavier, and both are talented in their own right. They're athletic and will boost their backcourt without [player_tooltip player_id='751258' first='Elle' last='Krull'] or Carsyn Stempa this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='533072' first='Layna' last='Petersen'] brings size to their frontcourt, and if she can earn the role that Halle VandeHey had, she should be able to make some plays in the Hawk's frontcourt this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It won't be easy, but the Hawks' could return to the Resch Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->