Predicting D4 Sectional Four

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today marks the first day we preview D4. We'll have a new champion this season, with Laconia elevating to D3, but there are plenty of contenders and scenarios where multiple teams could lift a gold ball in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional Four, over the past few years, has been the powerhouse sectional of D4. That's not necessarily the case anymore, but they still have a team among the favorites in D4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Champion: Poynette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pumas have not made a state tournament in program history but have a path there over the next three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='751244' first='Avalyn' last='Albrecht'] is a legitimate scholarship-level talent with room to grow. Her size and skill helped her excel in the Capitol Conference last season, with the foundation to continue building her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The LaPacek kids, Capri and Mercedi, will see increased responsibility after some upperclassmen graduated last spring and should be able to handle it well enough. However, the supporting cast will determine this group's ceiling in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Champion: Kenosha St. Joseph</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few teams have the physical makeup of the Lancers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Joe's has a handful of talented wings with size, namely [player_tooltip player_id='540647' first='Francesca' last='McLain'], who has all the tools to take this team to another level. She can initiate offense, pass the ball, rebound, defend one through five at the high school level, and knock down perimeter shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='667016' first='Kamryn' last='Lecce'] has developed into an excellent slasher. Her ability to put pressure on the rim opens up the Lancers' offense, and she's one who's gotten better each year she's been in high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some other names to watch with this group are [player_tooltip player_id='509697' first='Gabriella' last='Sosa-Owens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='889779' first='Lea' last='Coker'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Runner-Up: Westfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A fixture in the second weekend, Westfield still boasts one of the top backcourts in D4, even while losing Carly Drew.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='448289' first='Haddie' last='Showen'], a future Northern Michigan Wildcat, is among the most athletic kids in D4 and has grown as a creator over her years at Westfield. She'll have the most responsibility for the Pioneers on both ends of the floor, but she's earned that role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Outside of Showen, some kids played roles at Westfield this past year but will have to do more in 24-25. [player_tooltip player_id='874569' first='Holly' last='Goodwin'] and Halle Drew will be two kids to keep tabs on to see how good this Pioneer team could be this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Champion: The Prairie School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning champions of Sectional Four have key figures back for their attempt to lift a gold ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='374228' first='JJ' last='Glass-Barnes'], a future Marquette Golden Eagle, is as good as advertised, and she's added something new to her game every year. No guard I've seen in Wisconsin has been as physical as her around the rim, and with her improved perimeter game, she'll be the most talented kid in the D4 field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks also have a future Marquette soccer player, [player_tooltip player_id='338967' first='Meg' last='Decker'], who will set the tone for her team on the defensive end of the floor. The x-factor for them will be [player_tooltip player_id='533081' first='Amiyah' last='Galica']. If she's healthy, she can take this group to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->