Way-Too-Early D3-D5 State Predictions

Brady Peterson May 9, 2025 @ 10:07 AM

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.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">D3</h2>   Oostburg defeats Edgerton   After winning a D3 title last season, it's hard to bet against the Lady Dutch.   The Ketterhagen girls should all be back, barring health, but those three made it happen last season. Riley is the glue kid who does all the little things. Ady added a physical presence around the basket, and Kinsley came in and was the most talented kid in D3.   Edgerton got stuck in Laconia's sectional with their 2025 class. Now, they're ready to make a run.   [player_tooltip player_id='914989' first='Claudia' last='Jenny'] is an excellent leader, [player_tooltip player_id='533071' first='Marti' last='Rebman'] has the sectional experience, and [player_tooltip player_id='624854' first='Gracee' last='Langer'] is a physical kid around the rim. There's also depth in the Crimson Tide's program. The 25-26 is their best chance to make a run.   Other contenders: St. Thomas More, Kettle Moraine Lutheran, Wisconsin Dells, Winneconne, Aquinas, and Wittenberg-Birnamwood   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">D4</h2>   Deerfield defeats Belleville   Division 4 will look different next season.   Deerfield had an excellent season with a young group of kids. [player_tooltip player_id='992515' first='Sydney' last='Loerke'] may be the best post in the 2028 class and has the skill to dominate a game. [player_tooltip player_id='842265' first='Emerson' last='Drobac'] is a talented guard who can knock down shots and defend well on the perimeter. The Demons will not have to see a team like The Prairie School in their sectional, which helps.   Belleville has been on the rise with their 2026 class. The Wildcats got hammered by Cuba City in sectionals, but it gave them a taste of what sectionals feel like. Toria Devoe and Maddi DeSmet have been a productive duo for a while, and they've tested themselves against the top programs in the area over the last few years. Next season is their chance to make a deep run.   Other contenders: Dominican, Poynette, Fall Creek, Regis, Neillsville, and Albany/Monticello (if they don't stay in D5)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">D5</h2>   Argyle/Pecatonica defeats Pacelli   The Six Rivers is the best D5 conference in the state, and I think we get another D5 champion from there.   I project that Argyle/Pec will be back in D5. They've been a young group for a while, but they'll have an older group with experience this season. [player_tooltip player_id='767257' first='Kylie' last='Butler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874373' first='Brooke' last='Wellnitz'] are an elite duo and would be challenging to beat in D5.   Pacelli has had one of the best players in D5 in [player_tooltip player_id='876098' first='Jaedyn' last='Zdroik']. She's been a triple-double and quadruple-double threat in her first two seasons with the Cardinals.   Other contenders: Barneveld, Assumption, Shullsburg, Webster, Pittsville, and Albany/Monticello (If they stay in D5)

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.