Division 4 Sectional Preview

Today, 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 D3 to D5, and I'll make my sectional predictions tomorrow.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 1</h2>   Colfax   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Vikings upset a few Lakeland Conference schools in Clear Lake and Shell Lake to get here behind solid guard play from Jordyn Bone, Kaysen Goodell, and Sierra Shipman. Those three have been solid when they've been on the floor, and Shipman and Bone will have to be productive for the Vikings to make another shock run to Green Bay.   What could go wrong?   The offensive consistency hasn't been there, but their ability to generate extra possessions will be massive to keep dancing this weekend.   Durand-Arkansaw   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Panthers have been a solid unit all season, beaten some of the top teams in the Cloverbelt this season, and competed well with some D3 schools. Emma Hoyt has been the most consistent in the Durand-Arkansaw offense, but multiple kids can hurt you.   What could go wrong?   Their offense has been inconsistent, and Durand-Arkansaw doesn't have elite guard play, which could catch up with them.   Cameron   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   After avenging their Regional loss to Phillips last season, Cameron is a No. 1 seed in a Sectional Semifinal. Lexi Kuffel is the engine of this team as the lead guard. She's an elite athlete who flies all over the floor, and [player_tooltip player_id='1045915' first='Bailey' last='Olson'] has improved as their best offensive weapon.   What could go wrong?   Olson is the main offensive threat. After her, it gets inconsistent.   McDonell Central Catholic   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Macks are different than the last three seasons. However, that hasn't changed the results. McDonell was still competitive in the Cloverbelt.   What could go wrong?   The talent isn't where it used to be, and that may be challenging for them without the type of players they've had in the past.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 2</h2>   St. Mary Catholic   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   There's a solid core of kids who've played well this season. [player_tooltip player_id='448256' first='Emily' last='Vogel'], [player_tooltip player_id='751240' first='Autumn' last='Crowe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='892088' first='Lucy' last='Norville'] are part of a talented group of kids that won a share of the Big East-North this season. The Zephyrs have the ball handling, length, and athleticism to make some noise.   What could go wrong?   The Zephyrs haven't played many teams people would consider better than them and haven't tested their metal against some of the larger schools in the Fox Valley.   Bonduel   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Bears do an excellent job of mucking the game up and giving their offense a chance to make some plays. Their defense is solid, which has led them to a better season than expected.   What could go wrong?   The offense may not have the tools to keep up with teams that made the second weekend.   Manitowoc Lutheran   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   I could say the same thing about Manitowoc Lutheran I said about SMC. Ginerva Ernis, [player_tooltip player_id='914530' first='Marissa' last='Melhorn'], and [player_tooltip player_id='884547' first='Makiah' last='Krause'] have been a reliable trio for them, leading them to a better season than anyone expected.   What could go wrong?   Like SMC, the Lancers haven't tested themself in the Fox Valley or Green Bay area. We don't know how good they are.   Kewaunee   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='777574' first='Jade' last='Kroll'] is the focal point for the Storm on both ends of the floor. Everything runs through her. Kids like [player_tooltip player_id='448315' first='Lexi' last='Hanrahan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220487' first='Braelyn' last='Chevalier'] add to a scrappy group that can generate extra possessions.   What could go wrong?   Their offense may not be versatile enough to allow other kids than Kroll to thrive, and if she gets schemed out by a defense, it could get challenging for Kewaunee.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 3</h2>   Neillsville   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='914312' first='Sydney' last='Subke'] is among the top seniors left unsigned, and her shooting has been productive as always. Madi Davel has added another ball handler to the mix, which has helped them play through some pressure defense.   What could go wrong?   The depth of talent isn't where it's been in the past, and in the toughest D sectional, that may catch up to them.   Aquinas   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Outside of a weird loss to Assumption, the Blugolds have been the hottest team in D4 after a slow start. [player_tooltip player_id='533058' first='Samantha' last='Davis'] is an athletic kid who can take over a game with her physical tools. Olivia Passehl and [player_tooltip player_id='751241' first='Ava' last='Fernholz'] have grown in the Aquinas backcourt these past few seasons.   What could go wrong?   The Blugolds are an aggressive defensive unit. Teams who can control the ball will give them some trouble.   Cuba City   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='374234' first='Olivia' last='Olson'] is back, which is huge for them. [player_tooltip player_id='914523' first='Ashley' last='Rowe'] has done well this season, [player_tooltip player_id='534426' first='Dea' last='Crist'] has been her usual self, and their role players have stepped up in Olson's absence. However, [player_tooltip player_id='600825' first='Ella' last='Vosberg'] being back in the fold added a new element they lacked with another lengthy athlete who could run the floor, defend, and make things happen.   What could go wrong?   Olson being back is a positive, but if they can't figure out how to make these new rotations work on short notice, this could be where it ends for them. It's been solid so far, but it's win or go home now.   Belleville   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Wildcats have a few kids they can rely on. Toria Devoe is a knockdown shooter, and Madi DeSmet is a double-double kid. Those two have been reliable for a few years and have gotten production from their role kids.   What could go wrong?   In games where Devoe gets flustered by pressure defenses, the Wildcats struggle to get their offense rolling.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 4</h2>   Pardeeville   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Sneakily, the Bulldogs have one of the better cores in D4, with [player_tooltip player_id='874583' first='Bronte' last='Hulberg'] creating on the perimeter and [player_tooltip player_id='649413' first='Ava' last='Wagner'] on the block. Those two know each other well and how to play off each other.   What could go wrong?   The depth and lack of experience could lead to issues in this coming sectional run for them.   Westfield   Reasons they could go to the state tournament   [player_tooltip player_id='448289' first='Haddie' last='Showen'] is still around from their previous trip to the state tournament. Her ability to control the game at the point of attack gives them a chance. She's quick and can score at all three levels.   What could go wrong?   After Showen, the offensive production isn't quite there. Their offensive depth will be to the test against Pardeeville on Thursday.   The Prairie School   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='374228' first='JJ' last='Glass-Barnes'] is the most experienced and talented kid in D5. [player_tooltip player_id='338967' first='Meg' last='Decker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533081' first='Amiyah' last='Galica'] fit next to her with their athleticism and ability to create chaos on the defensive end of the floor.   What could go wrong?   Teams who can handle the pressure the Hawks place on opposing ball handlers give themselves a puncher's chance.   Cambridge   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='448317' first='Brooke' last='Stenklyft'] is an all-time talent at Cambridge. Her name's littered over the history books for the Blue Jays. She can affect every facet of the game at the D4 level.   What could go wrong?   The depth hasn't been there this season, and if Stenklyft is slightly off, teams in sectionals will make the Blue Jays miserable.

Today, 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 D3 to D5, and I'll make my sectional predictions tomorrow.