Predicting D5 Sectional 4

Brady Peterson November 8, 2024 @ 09:54 AM

After a quick break highlighting a few 2026s, let's return to Sectional predictions. Today, we're peeking at small-school basketball and discussing Sectionals Three and Four in D5.   Last season, the D5 champions emerged from Sectional Four and became the first No. 4 seed at the state tournament to win a title. The layout in this sectional is slightly different, with a D4 dropdown, but let's discuss my predictions.   Regional Champion: Randolph   The Rockets have been a power in their time in D5, granted they bounced up to D4 and back down to D5 in the previous two seasons.   They routinely produce talent in their small town, leading to two regional titles in D5 and a state crown in 2022.   That 2022 team dominated with their size around the rim, but they've pivoted with their classes that have come in since and become a team predicated on their guard play. Maddie Medema is a kid they can trust with the ball in her hands, and she's become more confident in herself over the past two seasons. Mckinley Becker is now an upperclassman who's been around successful programs for the last few years.   Their young talent has varsity seasoning and has been on the cusp of a sectional final before. Randolph has the players and experience in place to make something happen.   Regional Champion: Madison Country Day   High school sports are cyclical, and it'd be unlikely to have the same regional winners in each sectional for multiple years, so I like going off the wall sometimes on predictions.   Madison Country Day didn't win a game last season, and if you knew that, congratulations, you're as much of a sicko as I am. However, the Prairie Hawks may have one of the most talented guards in the 2028 class in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='901242' first='Zamara' last='Gary'] flashed when I saw her play at the [program_tooltip program_id='713036' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] Fall League and the PGH Freshman Showcase. She's a legitimate game-changer, and if she can figure out defenses, we could see the Prairie Hawks playing in Sectionals this March.   Sectional Runner-Up: Albany/Monticello   The championship DNA is still within the Albany/Monticello co-op. [player_tooltip player_id='448295' first='Abby' last='Hollis'], Dalana Trumpy, and [player_tooltip player_id='595865' first='Molly' last='Olson'] are back from their state title-winning group and have the tools to make another run.   The absence of some of their seniors last season, namely Alana Durtschi, the media named "Space Stallions," may have issues finding consistent half-court offense without Durtschi's ability to score and create off the dribble.   People shouldn't forget that they will fly after every loose ball and not quit until the clock reads zero. They may not be the same team, but they'll have the same mentality, so don't count them out.   Sectional Champion: Sheboygan Lutheran   The Crusaders, like Randolph, have bounced up and down over the past few years from D5 to D4 back to D5. Sheboygan Lutheran has been bested by state champions every year their seniors have been there, and this is the year where I think it all comes together.   I feel people have undervalued [player_tooltip player_id='374230' first='Addy' last='Verhagen'] in her first three seasons. She's as creative of a lead guard as you'll find anywhere in the state and creates open looks for her teammates the second she walks into the gym, which makes a massive difference in a postseason setting.   [player_tooltip player_id='521329' first='Taylor' last='Brigham'], a UW-La Crosse commit, has found her footing in her three seasons. She's the Crusaders' jack-of-all-trades and can make winning plays away from the ball.   No group will be hungrier in D5 this season.

After a quick break highlighting a few 2026s, let's return to Sectional predictions. Today, we're peeking at small-school basketball and discussing Sectionals Three and Four in D5.