Large School Sectional X-Factors

Sectionals week is here, and today, we'll look over a few large and small-school x-factors heading into a week where teams can punch their ticket to the Resch Center. Let's look at a few kids who can get their team over the hump. [player_tooltip player_id='448322' first='Torie' last='Neubauer'] Appleton East has been on a heater for a while now, and Neubauer is a significant reason behind it. The Patriot and future Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog is among the most efficient scorers in the state and is playing the best basketball of her career right now. The 6'1 senior is as reliable as anyone left in Division 1 Sectional 1 and is coming off a 23-point, nine-rebound performance on the road against Hortonville. She's the kid who can push the No. 6 Patriots to the Resch Center. [player_tooltip player_id='751281' first='Rita' last='Kuepper'] Guard play is the crux of any deep postseason run, and Kuepper is the dynamic presence in the Hartford backcourt. Her ability to create and score off the dribble opens opportunities for herself and others. Kuepper is a scorer that can score with volume if she finds her rhythm. She may not be the most highly touted player on an uber-talented Hartford roster, but her ability to score in bunches opens games up. She's a three-level scorer who can get by anyone. [player_tooltip player_id='751287' first='Tessa' last='Bryan'] The engine of the Waunakee machine is their lead guard, [player_tooltip player_id='751287' first='Tessa' last='Bryan']. Bryan is an electric athlete who can push the tempo whenever she has the ball. She's been a streaky scorer, but she can swing a game. Her ability to create for others, especially in transition, will generate open looks. In Sectional 1, nobody can contain her open space, so she'll be given special attention in opposing scouting reports. [player_tooltip player_id='914325' first='Iyanna' last='Green'] The Bradford guard is a solid athlete who's improved over the past few years. She gets downhill well and has been an excellent distributor for the Red Devils. Green has also set the tone on the defensive end at the point of attack. The senior has generated multiple turnovers per game and will be called upon to attempt to lead Bradford to the state tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='914910' first='Addison' last='Schmidt'] The force that Schmidt plays with sets the tone in every game Rice Lake plays. However, against Lakeland, her fight around the basket could make or break them. She's an elite rebounder with the skillset to finish through contact. She's been a bit streaky and gotten into foul trouble a few times, but if she can stay on the floor, it'll go a long way for the Warriors. [player_tooltip player_id='602353' first='Jordan' last='Fenske'] The Illinois State commit is the best player in Sectional 2 in Division 2. Beaver Dam lost to Menasha, opening up the sectional for teams without much hope heading into the postseason. Waukesha West had eight wins heading into the postseason and is now two wins away from state. [player_tooltip player_id='914978' first='Alexis' last='Accuardi'] DeForest went on the road to La Crosse Central and earned a narrow one-point win. The Norksies play ten kids, and Accurardi's presence in the middle is the threat that keeps opposing defenses honest. Accuardi is a solid athlete with some length to finish over defenders around the basket. The DeForest native has better hands than I expected before I saw her this season, and she can alter shots around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='751268' first='Madeline' last='Volpe'] Whitefish Bay has an embarrassment of riches in its backcourt, and Volpe is part of that group. She's shot the ball well from the three-point line this season and has been a reliable secondary option for the Blue Dukes. Vope isn't afraid of the moment and will take significant shots when necessary. Her defensive activity within the Blue Dukes' defensive structure helps make them disruptive. It also helps that she can put pressure on the ball handler.

Sectionals week is here, and today, we'll look over a few large and small-school x-factors heading into a week where teams can punch their ticket to the Resch Center. Let's look at a few kids who can get their team over the hump.
Torie Neubauer Torie Neubauer 6'0" | PF Appleton East | 2025 State WI
Appleton East has been on a heater for a while now, and Neubauer is a significant reason behind it. The Patriot and future Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog is among the most efficient scorers in the state and is playing the best basketball of her career right now. The 6'1 senior is as reliable as anyone left in Division 1 Sectional 1 and is coming off a 23-point, nine-rebound performance on the road against Hortonville. She's the kid who can push the No. 6 Patriots to the Resch Center.
Rita Kuepper Rita Kuepper 5'7" | PG Hartford Union | 2027 State WI
Guard play is the crux of any deep postseason run, and Kuepper is the dynamic presence in the Hartford backcourt. Her ability to create and score off the dribble opens opportunities for herself and others. Kuepper is a scorer that can score with volume if she finds her rhythm. She may not be the most highly touted player on an uber-talented Hartford roster, but her ability to score in bunches opens games up. She's a three-level scorer who can get by anyone.
Tessa Bryan Tessa Bryan 5'9" | PG/SG Waunakee | 2027 State WI
The engine of the Waunakee machine is their lead guard, Tessa Bryan Tessa Bryan 5'9" | PG/SG Waunakee | 2027 State WI . Bryan is an electric athlete who can push the tempo whenever she has the ball. She's been a streaky scorer, but she can swing a game. Her ability to create for others, especially in transition, will generate open looks. In Sectional 1, nobody can contain her open space, so she'll be given special attention in opposing scouting reports.
Iyanna Green Iyanna Green 5'5" | PG Kenosha Bradford | 2025 State WI
The Bradford guard is a solid athlete who's improved over the past few years. She gets downhill well and has been an excellent distributor for the Red Devils. Green has also set the tone on the defensive end at the point of attack. The senior has generated multiple turnovers per game and will be called upon to attempt to lead Bradford to the state tournament.
Addison Schmidt Addison Schmidt 6'2" | C Rice Lake | 2027 State WI
The force that Schmidt plays with sets the tone in every game Rice Lake plays. However, against Lakeland, her fight around the basket could make or break them. She's an elite rebounder with the skillset to finish through contact. She's been a bit streaky and gotten into foul trouble a few times, but if she can stay on the floor, it'll go a long way for the Warriors.
Jordan Fenske Jordan Fenske 5'11" | SG Waukesha West | 2025 State WI
The Illinois State commit is the best player in Sectional 2 in Division 2. Beaver Dam lost to Menasha, opening up the sectional for teams without much hope heading into the postseason. Waukesha West had eight wins heading into the postseason and is now two wins away from state.
Alexis Accuardi Alexis Accuardi 6'0" | PF DeForest | 2027 State WI
DeForest went on the road to La Crosse Central and earned a narrow one-point win. The Norksies play ten kids, and Accurardi's presence in the middle is the threat that keeps opposing defenses honest. Accuardi is a solid athlete with some length to finish over defenders around the basket. The DeForest native has better hands than I expected before I saw her this season, and she can alter shots around the basket.
Madeline Volpe Madeline Volpe 5'4" | CG Whitefish Bay | 2027 State WI
Whitefish Bay has an embarrassment of riches in its backcourt, and Volpe is part of that group. She's shot the ball well from the three-point line this season and has been a reliable secondary option for the Blue Dukes. Vope isn't afraid of the moment and will take significant shots when necessary. Her defensive activity within the Blue Dukes' defensive structure helps make them disruptive. It also helps that she can put pressure on the ball handler.