Predicting D2 Sectional 1

Brady Peterson November 11, 2024 @ 12:31 PM

D1 and D5 predictions are live, and now we move to a wide-open D2. I could see maybe eight teams who could start practices today believing they have a shot at lifting a gold ball. We'll start looking at D2's first and second sectionals and make some predictions on Regional Champs, Sectional Runner-Up, and Sectional champs.   Sectional One plays host to teams from the northern parts of Wisconsin and has more team talent than people may assume. Whoever comes out of this sectional may have the best player on the floor at the Resch Center for the D2 tournament.   Regional Champions: Marinette   The Marines lost one player back from their group who won the North Eastern Conference title last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='878148' first='Chloe' last='Seymour'], reigning NEC player of the year, is back for her senior campaign for Marinette and will set the tone for the Marines on the defensive end of the floor once again. Her defense at the point of attack can control how games play out, which gives the Marines an edge in most games they'll play.   The Marines also have kids who know their roles and how they can help their team win. Whether that's Riley Kieffer's ability to shoot, Olivia Hanson's rebounding or any other role kids have in the program, they all excel at what they do best.   Regional Champions: Rice Lake   The Big Rivers has been an unforgiving conference, and Rice Lake, even when they haven't been at their best, the Warriors have found ways to compete with the programs at the top of the conference.   I'd argue they have the most talented kid in D2, [player_tooltip player_id='533077' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee'], who will likely take on a more significant offensive role with her sister graduating and at Northern Iowa. The 6'3 national recruit has shown she can put points on the board in EYBL basketball, which means she's more than capable of that at the high school level.   Along with Sheplee, the Warriors have a few pieces that can make a difference. Their post, [player_tooltip player_id='914910' first='Addison' last='Schmidt'], has the size and motor to control the boards and earn a handful of second-chance opportunities. Another name that people may not value as much, but her presence was noticeably absent in the 2022-23 season, is Lucie Habas. Her ability to handle the ball under pressure will be valuable.   Keep tabs on some auxiliary figures like Emily Kalina and Sydney Schradle.   Sectional Runner-Up: Shawano   Shawano will have the most talented kid on the floor in the bottom half of this sectional.   [player_tooltip player_id='474774' first='Leah' last='Nordin'] has done a little of everything in her two years for the Hawks and done it all at a high level. No team has a solid one-for-one matchup for her, and she's improved as a playmaker, so she'll find open teammates if multiple bodies get thrown at her.   The question mark will be how well the cast improves around Nordin.   Sectional Champion: Lakeland   The group with the most success at the highest level is Lakeland.   The T-Birds have been in sectionals the last three seasons and made the state tournament in 2023. There's a recent tradition of winning, and they all know what it takes to win a sectional.   They have a talented frontcourt, future UWGB wing [player_tooltip player_id='338940' first='Kristina' last='Ouimette'], and Arkansas softball pitcher [player_tooltip player_id='448291' first='Saylor' last='Timmerman']. Those two can brutalize teams in the paint, and Ouimette can knock down perimeter shots in bunches.

D1 and D5 predictions are live, and now we move to a wide-open D2. I could see maybe eight teams who could start practices today believing they have a shot at lifting a gold ball. We'll start looking at D2's first and second sectionals and make some predictions on Regional Champs, Sectional Runner-Up, and Sectional champs.