My Division Four Sectional 1 Predictions

Brady Peterson November 14, 2024 @ 11:38 AM

Yesterday, I made my final selections for Division 2, and today, we're making our final selections in Division 4. The depth of talent isn't as good as a year ago, but we should still have a fun ride to highlight this season.   Sectional one is an intriguing bunch of schools from the Western part of the state. McDonell came out of here last season after being elevated to D4, but due to changes in the program, we likely won't see a return to the Resch.   Regional Champion: Cameron   For people who don't know about Cameron, the Comets can be a frustrating team to play against.   Lexi Kuffel playing at the point of attack on the defensive end of the floor opens multiple doors of opportunity. Her ability to jump passing lanes and use her speed to break away in transition to get easy layups are in the backs of every opposing guard's mind, and she's capable of ruining a team's offensive flow.   [player_tooltip player_id='1045915' first='Bailey' last='Olson'] proved she could handle being their focal point in their half-court offense and had some impressive outings for the Comets as a newcomer last season. There is plenty of optimism here, especially if they can dodge Phillips in the regional rounds.   Regional Champion: Regis   Losing Ashley Chilson and Ava Highman is usually a massive blow, but due to some additions, that might not hurt as much.   [player_tooltip player_id='751257' first='EllaMay' last='Cooper'] had a standout first season in high school at McDonell and stood out for the Macks in the state tournament. Her ability to create off the dribble for others will take the Ramblers to another level. Her speed is a difference-maker.   Carly Borst will be the name to watch for the Ramblers this season. She was a reliable scoring option last season, and her fit next to Cooper could be a make-or-break thing for Regis.   Sectional Runner-Up: Phillips   There has been plenty of continuity at Phillips, which should help them in the latter stages of the postseason.   The Loggers have a talented backcourt with Kacy Eggerbrecht, Mataya Eckert, and Brooke Eckert. All those kids have a solid understanding of how to maximize each other's talents. Those three came into Phillips together and have played deep into the postseason in the past. Without the supreme talent in their sub-section last season, they may have made a run to state.   Their backcourt is disruptive enough to create problems by pressuring the ball.   Sectional Champion: Fall Creek   Last season was a year too early for Fall Creek to take that last step to the Resch Center, but I can't bet against them this season.   The Crickets youth program has produced plenty of rotational kids, and with a relentless presence like [player_tooltip player_id='491719' first='Jasmin' last='Heuer'] around the basket, they'll earn more hustle points than opposing teams every game. She's expanded her game beyond the three-point line and should be a threat if the ball gets swung to her.   Their guards are athletic and can get after opposing ball handlers, and they'll have enough depth to attack teams in waves. The Crickets could be a team we're talking about in a state title game this March.

Yesterday, I made my final selections for Division 2, and today, we're making our final selections in Division 4. The depth of talent isn't as good as a year ago, but we should still have a fun ride to highlight this season.