Predicting D5 Sectional 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After wrapping up D1 predictions yesterday, we're closing the book on my D5 predictions today. We're looking at sectionals one and two in D5 and continuing to predict regional champs, sectional runner-up, and sectional champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional Two produced State Runner-Up Lena last season, and they come back locked and loaded, looking for a return to the state title game. However, Sectional Two has plenty of talent in this sectional that could spoil that dream for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Champion: Assumption</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'd argue Assumption has a group that's roughly a top-five group in D5 but will have a murders row of a second weekend to return to the state tournament, which isn't impossible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sarah Shaw and Anna Schooley were around the last time the Royals played at the Resch Center and are two of the better guards and posts, respectively, in D5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='842260' first='Jordyn' last='Jaglinski'] is the x-factor of this group. She's an excellent spot-up shooter that teams will pay attention to on the defensive end of the floor. Her shooting opens the floor for Assumption.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Champion: Wabeno/Laona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lower half of this sectional, outside of my sectional champion pick, isn't as good as the top half of the sectional. However, Wabeno/Laona understands how to compete at the highest level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels have been a fixture in the second weekend of the tournament the past few years, even making a state tournament two seasons ago in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels lost a fair amount of talent from last season, but with kids like Allison Albrecht back, they could still be a headache for D5 teams to play with in the Regional rounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Runner-Up: Pacelli</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Pacelli brought in a group of newcomers, and to say they hit the ground running would be a gross understatement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='876098' first='Jaedyn' last='Zdroik'] was one of the most influential players around D5 in the regular season and led the Cardinals to a 24-2 record, averaging 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game. She was a part of everything Pacelli did on both ends of the floor. In time, she will continue to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of the top four scorers are back. Zdroik, Madelyn Pionek (another 2027), Ella Van Order, and Kaitlyn Yenter all have experience and have seen what's needed to make a deep run, and I'd expect to see them in sectionals in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Champion: Lena</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no more versatile player in D5 than [player_tooltip player_id='767273' first='Eva' last='Brooks'], and no team has more unfinished business than the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's impossible to get closer to a state title than Lena did last season, but they have crucial pieces, including Brooks and lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='842247' first='Madi' last='Thomson']. Those two have proven that they are a formula that can compete for a state title, and I imagine they have a gold ball on their minds heading into 24-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No team has as much support behind them as Lena. I hope they get one more shot at lifting a gold ball on March 15th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->