Way-Too-Early D1 and D2 State Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, when I did my way-too-early state predictions for the 2024-25 season, I did them before the sectionals came out, not knowing that Edgewood's enrollment would pull them up to D2. I want to fly blind in my state tournament picks for next season. Next week, we'll audit my predictions and your picks for the state tournament this past summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">D1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kimberly defeats Arrowhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some rumblings about a new face at Arrowhead next season. However, I have no clue who that may be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If everyone is at 100% next season, I don't see anyone coming near the talent of Arrowhead at Kimberly. Both programs have an abundance of depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Papermakers are coming off a D1 title last March and lost two starters, [player_tooltip player_id='448243' first='Katelyn' last='McGinnis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='448245' first='Raegan' last='Krueger'], but every other rotational player is back besides [player_tooltip player_id='338966' first='Bentley' last='Drout']. [player_tooltip player_id='764903' first='Ava' last='Van Vonderen'] had an excellent tournament run, [player_tooltip player_id='764909' first='Haylie' last='Dulas'] has developed into an elite defender, and [player_tooltip player_id='764927' first='Kennedy' last='Ebben'] has turned into their defensive ace on the perimeter. None of that even mentions the log jam they'll have to round out their rotation like Kendyll Bortchrup, Kylie Ver Boeckel, [player_tooltip player_id='922655' first='Kinnley' last='Fulcer'], and Lainey Sitek, not even mentioning what may be in their incoming 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arrowhead wasn't healthy all season and showed the heart of a champion battling through Waunakee in an uphill battle to return to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow'], [player_tooltip player_id='533069' first='Presly' last='Samz'], and [player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore'] are seniors and have all the experience to make another run at a gold ball. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='843757' first='Karina' last='Klemz'], [player_tooltip player_id='963592' first='Addison' last='Pommerening'], and [player_tooltip player_id='764907' first='Ellyana' last='Petersen'] all have experience in high-level games and can help the Warhawks get over the hump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other contenders: Eau Claire Memorial, Pewaukee, Hudson, Waunakee, and SPASH</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">D2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edgewood defeats Whitefish Bay</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edgewood is coming off a heartbreaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders still have elite guards in [player_tooltip player_id='764918' first='Anna' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='914983' first='Beanie' last='Thompson']. However, losing a player like [player_tooltip player_id='914305' first='Erin' last='Schauer'], especially for significant moments in the postseason, will hurt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitefish Bay has been in Tosa East's sectional for two years, but the Red Raiders are gone. The Blue Dukes' backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='751283' first='Rowan' last='Counsell'], [player_tooltip player_id='509716' first='Sage' last='Miskel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1228363' first='Madeline' last='Volpe'] is the best in their sectional, and I don't see another team upsetting after the success they've had.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D2 has been the most intriguing division in Wisconsin the last few years, and the similar makeups these teams have would make another fun title game. Elite guard play leads to good basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other contenders: Rice Lake, Shawano, Milton, Wisconsin Lutheran, Beaver Dam, Xavier, and Pius XI</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->