Division 1 Sectional Preview

Over the next two days, we'll break down each sectional in every division and discuss what has to go right for each team to reach the Resch Center and what could hold them back from hoisting a Sectional Championship plaque on Saturday. We'll discuss D1 and D2 today and wrap it up tomorrow with the small schools.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 1</h2>   Eau Claire Memorial   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Old Abes' backcourt may not have household names, but they fit their identity. [player_tooltip player_id='1045830' first='Raya' last='Shaw']-[player_tooltip player_id='1173395' first='Norah' last='Kling']-[player_tooltip player_id='448296' first='Ashlynn' last='Schroeder'] are defensive-minded kids who can guard multiple positions.   [player_tooltip player_id='1173395' first='Norah' last='Kling'] is the standout of this group that's become their best offensive perimeter option and has been among the best in the Big Rivers Conference this season.   Among all the defensive talent and Kling becoming a prominent player in the Old Abes' rotation, [player_tooltip player_id='653806' first='Rayna' last='Welsch'] balances this group out. Her ability to finish around the rim allows the Old Abes to attack mismatches in the post and get results.   What could go wrong?   Earlier in the season, especially against a possible Sectional Final opponent, Stevens Point, they've shown they can have rough patches on the offensive end. That issue stems from kids who look to pass first.   The other main question will be their perimeter shooting. Kling has been solid to close out the season, but having kids like Schroeder, Shaw, and Welsch be someone defenses have to close out on with purpose would be helpful.   Stevens Point   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='764935' first='Jada' last='Seubert'] is the most talented kid in this sectional, and she's played like it to close the season. Her ability to create for others, score with volume and efficiency, and defend on the perimeter is a significant reason why the Panthers are a few games away from Green Bay.   Paired with Seubert is Bemidji State forward [player_tooltip player_id='1135163' first='Lindsey' last='Weiler']. Weiler has been the perfect screen and roll partner with Seubert. Her ability to catch in traffic, paired with Seubert's vision and passing and how teams want to get the ball out of Seubert's hands, Weiler is the perfect kind of post to pair with an uber-talented guard.   What could go wrong?   The production outside Seubert and Weiler has been inconsistent, but they've had flashes of solid production. No team will win a state title with two kids dominating the stat line. They'll need [player_tooltip player_id='936786' first='Leah' last='Awe'], [player_tooltip player_id='874956' first='Ellie' last='Strong'], and [player_tooltip player_id='874955' first='Lydia' last='Johnson'] to make plays.   A sneaky aspect of their game to watch is the fouls they rack up. Seubert has gotten into foul trouble a few times this season, and if she does that again, they'll have an uphill battle.   Neenah   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='533065' first='Rowan' last='Klesmit'] is the kind of player you want in a one-game playoff. Her ability to create off the dribble whenever she wants can help you get a basket in a pinch, and Klesmit can score at all three levels.   The supporting cast has stepped up these last two games. [player_tooltip player_id='509694' first='Ellie' last='Buss'] has knocked down shots, Celia Gentile has been an excellent perimeter defender, Rae Schultz has been a solid presence around the basket, and Alissa Ebel even had a significant way on the road against Hudson.   Neenah's kids will run through a wall, and that's scary for opposing teams.   What could go wrong?   There have been games the Rockets' leading scorer hasn't been at her best, and the supporting cast can't always replace that lost offense. Klesmit is what makes this team run. I could see a world where the Old Abes give them a world of issues and one where they make one of the more unexpected runs to state in recent memory.   Appleton East   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Patriots are the hottest team in this sectional. After some of their top kids missed games early, they've found their groove in the second half of the season. [player_tooltip player_id='448322' first='Torie' last='Neubauer'] has been playing her best basketball, and her versatility opens up the floor for her guards to operate in space.   The backcourt pairing of [player_tooltip player_id='338969' first='Lilly' last='Meulemans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='749048' first='Ella' last='Sweeney'] has also found a balance. Sweeney has been a talented half-court playmaker, and Meulemans hasn't forced as much as she has in the past, which has led to better results.   The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='904623' first='Emilia' last='MontMarquette'] as the glue kid has also steadied a ship that has been as up and down as any other around the state.   What could go wrong?   We've seen the Patriots play with some bad habits in the past, and if they find themselves in a hole early in a game, we'll see their mental makeup. The talent is there, but I'm eager to see what they do when facing adversity.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 2</h2>   Pewaukee   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='374229' first='Amy' last='Terrian'], [player_tooltip player_id='448223' first='Anna' last='Terrian'], and [player_tooltip player_id='333100' first='Kennedy' last='Retherford'], among others, have all played high-leverage games before. Nothing that gets thrown in front of them will shock them. All of them play fearlessly and can make shots at any given time. They are as mentally tough as any team I've seen in the last four years, and they have a new field to conquer in D1.   What could go wrong?   The talent is there. However, injuries have become a concern for the Pirates. Missing kids like [player_tooltip player_id='533087' first='Aubree' last='Spitzner'], [player_tooltip player_id='533086' first='Kylie' last='Pieper'], and [player_tooltip player_id='536013' first='Giselle' last='Janowski'] significantly changed what the rotations would have looked like. Pewaukee has been solid without those three, but in a win-or-go-home game, you'd prefer to have those kids than not.   Kimberly   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Nobody has the depth the Papermakers boast. Kimberly has JV kids who could play a role in other Regional Championships in D1. [player_tooltip player_id='448243' first='Katelyn' last='McGinnis'] has been an excellent shooter and all-around offensive hub for the Papermakers, and [player_tooltip player_id='764903' first='Ava' last='Van Vonderen'] has been a solid scoring option. I could go on forever about the talent in Kimberly's ranks but know, they have all the tools to lift a gold ball and then some.   What could go wrong?   The Papermakers showed they could have some defensive lapses in the last postseason, and their guards have struggled against pressure this season. If they play Pewaukee in a Sectional Championship, those issues could pop up again, and defending Hartford is no easy task.   Hartford   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Offensively, few teams can put the ball in the basket at the level of the Orioles. [player_tooltip player_id='533085' first='Bella' last='Klages'], [player_tooltip player_id='338945' first='Makena' last='Christian'], [player_tooltip player_id='751281' first='Rita' last='Kuepper'], and [player_tooltip player_id='751236' first='Alexis' last='Shelsta'] can knock down shots in bunches from the perimeter and are never out of a game until the clock hits zero.   What could go wrong?   They've struggled with teams who can push the pace at a high level at every position. Early in the season, when Waldrop was healthy, Notre Dame ran Hartford up and down the floor. Athletic lineups that move with a purpose can create mistakes for Hartford on the defensive end of the floor.   Brookfield East   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Spartans' defense will always give them a chance against anyone they play. Their structure within the 2-3 zone they run can frustrate teams, and they're athletic enough to get out to shooters when the other team throws a skip pass. [player_tooltip player_id='747942' first='Josie' last='Piurkowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='497476' first='Maya' last='Kovacic'] are both kids who can consistently put points on the board and Kovacic, in particular, can create something out of nothing.   What could go wrong?   The supporting cast has some kids who are inconsistent. Hannah Christianson, [player_tooltip player_id='448299' first='Addison' last='Doyle'], and [player_tooltip player_id='888438' first='Adalyn' last='Schoen'] can do a little of everything but have been up and down. However, those three must be at their best to get past their sectional semifinal on Thursday.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 3</h2>   Arrowhead   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Warhawks have the most proven talent in their sectional. The reigning state champions have an elite national prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow'], who played her basketball in the state tournament last season, and [player_tooltip player_id='533069' first='Presly' last='Samz'], who ran the offense for the Warhawks en route to a gold ball.   What could go wrong?   Outside of those two, the Warhawks are different. [player_tooltip player_id='843757' first='Karina' last='Klemz'] moved in from the Los Angeles area and has figured out her role throughout the season. [player_tooltip player_id='751284' first='Sidney' last='Zehner'] has shown flashes in an increased role, and [player_tooltip player_id='509719' first='Teresa' last='Kescenovitz'] is playing significant minutes for the first time in her career. Anytime you have that many new rotational pieces, not including their bench pieces, you could have outlier rough games, like the first Muskego and Catholic Memorial games.   Waunakee   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Nobody has an offense that can consistently outscore Waunakee when they're clicking. [player_tooltip player_id='751287' first='Tessa' last='Bryan'] flies up and down the floor, and they have kids who fit perfectly around her. [player_tooltip player_id='509699' first='Graycin' last='Phillips'] can pull posts away from the rim and knock down shots, Ellen Dotzler is among the elite shooters in the state this season, [player_tooltip player_id='533066' first='Audrey' last='Meudt'] is a perfect half-court initiator, Katie Gnorksi moves away from the ball well, and Kiera Van Wie is the spark plug for them off the bench.   What could go wrong?   The Warriors can be a bit streaky from the perimeter and are liable to take some ill-advised shots. If they have to chase a game, I worry that habit may rear its ugly head. Also, foul troubles have bit them in behind a few times this season.   Verona   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Wildcats have an experienced unit with Alli Jirsa, [player_tooltip player_id='448288' first='Emily' last='Jensen'], and Allison Bostley. Those three have played in high-leverage games and competed with teams that have gone to state in their time at Verona. Adding sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1049239' first='Noelle' last='Rauwolf'] to the fold also added stability to their backcourt.   What could go wrong?   Verona has had its offensive struggles against talented teams. The Wildcats lack consistent scoring threats. All are capable scorers but haven't done it consistently.   Kettle Moraine   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Sneakily, the Lasers have one of the better backcourts in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='767268' first='Emily' last='Gomez'], [player_tooltip player_id='338955' first='Lola' last='Bond'], and [player_tooltip player_id='992511' first='Quinn' last='Lodes'] do an excellent job facilitating and putting the ball in the basket. Gomez and Bond have had slight injuries and illnesses throughout the season, but they're ready to go. Having a frontcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='602360' first='Keegan' last='Lodes'], a D1 track athlete, allows the Lasers to get up and down the floor in transition for some easy baskets.   What could go wrong?   Foul trouble has been an issue all season. The Lasers aren't the deepest team in the field. However, if they can keep their five on the floor, they'll give themselves a chance to do something special.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 4</h2>   Muskego   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Warriors are the heavy favorite to come out of this sectional. They're deep, have proven everyone wrong this season, and have the seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='528116' first='Autumn' last='Dibb'], [player_tooltip player_id='528122' first='Melena' last='Glysch'], and [player_tooltip player_id='528119' first='Rachel' last='Agg'] to earn a trip to Green Bay.   What could go wrong?   Muskego has had issues playing from behind. There are solid pieces around the floor, but on any night, they can play down to their opponent's level.   Kenosha Bradford   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Quietly, Bradford has put together a core that can win this sectional. [player_tooltip player_id='914325' first='Iyanna' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='751280' first='Rihanna' last='Barker'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1228873' first='Alise' last='Keys'] win their 50/50 balls and give themselves a chance to take advantage of extra possessions.   What could go wrong?   Teams that have kids who fly around the floor could nullify that advantage. In a game where one or two baskets could swing a game, the Red Devils don't have many tough-shot makers.   Oak Creek   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Knights are notoriously among the best-coached groups in the state. Oak Creek can muck up a game and make it one played in the 30s if they want and have enough discipline to make plays in crunch time.   What could go wrong?   Against teams who can score the ball, I worry the Knights don't have enough offensive weapons to keep up. However, they have solid athletes who could find easy baskets in transition.   Franklin   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The No. 14 seed Sabers had some luck in the regional round. However, they'll have confidence as one of the three Southeast teams left in this sectional.   What could go wrong?   The youth in Franklin's ranks may not be ready for the pressure and magnitude of where they find themselves, but that's why you play the game.

Over the next two days, we'll break down each sectional in every division and discuss what has to go right for each team to reach the Resch Center and what could hold them back from hoisting a Sectional Championship plaque on Saturday. We'll discuss D1 and D2 today and wrap it up tomorrow with the small schools.