WIAA Division 1 Sectional Preview: Sectionals Three and Four

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first weekend of the postseason is in the books, and in seven days, we will know who will be the final four teams left in each division playing for a Gold Ball in Green Bay. Through Thursday morning, I will be previewing the sectional participants as we inch closer to the State Tournament in a few weeks. We will start with Division One and work our way through Division Five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Three</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 1 Arrowhead vs. No. 4 Mukwonago</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arrowhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warhawks have been in the past two State Tournaments, and are looking to win their second Gold Ball in three years. Arrowhead has Ms. Basketball candidate [player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow'], who can score in bunches and win her team games offensively. They also have a talented backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='751284' first='Sidney' last='Zehner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533069' first='Presly' last='Samz'], who complement each other's skill sets. They also have a defensive anchor in [player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore'], who can switch defensively and rebound at an elite level. The x-factors for the Warhawks will be their two shooters, [player_tooltip player_id='843757' first='Karina' last='Klemz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='764907' first='Ellyana' last='Petersen'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mukwonago</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mukwonago has the size that will make things awkward for anyone they match up against. The [player_tooltip player_id='652141' first='Rachael' last='Chilicki'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1232213' first='Peyton' last='Cochenet'] frontcourt is as talented as any frontcourt you'll find. Chilicki is a physical post who can overpower anyone around the rim, and she has the skill set to step out and knock down perimeter jumpers. Cochenet is a player who can handle the ball, attack mismatches off the dribble, and use her size to overpower guards around the basket. The supporting cast making open shots and taking care of the ball will be key for Mukwonago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 3 Brookfield East vs. No. 7 Vel Phillips Memorial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brookfield East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Brookfield East 2-3 zone will stick out to anyone who watches the Spartans play. The entire program buys into what they do defensively, and it's led to a successful run for the Spartans. [player_tooltip player_id='497476' first='Maya' last='Kovacic'] is a player who can carry her team offensively, score off the dribble, and make challenging shots from all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id='747942' first='Josie' last='Piurkowski'] is a player who can space the floor from the perimeter and knock down shots in bunches. They also have some depth this season with players like Avery Mantei, [player_tooltip player_id='889268' first='Maria' last='Pluemer'], and Adahlyn Schoen. The Brookfield East defense will give them a chance to make a run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vel Phillips Memorial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first team we'll talk about, who won on the road to get to sectionals, is Vel Phillips Memorial, who beat No. 2 Waunakee to reach this point. The Spartans have a backcourt that can make plays with the ball in their hands with [player_tooltip player_id='751263' first='Kennedi' last='Harden'], [player_tooltip player_id='533075' first='Avery' last='Blue'], and Naveyah Jackson. Those three can handle the ball against pressure. However, Jackson and Blue can knock down shots from the perimeter in bunches and will be players that defenses must key in on. NiKiera Martin may be the x-factor because of her physicality, rebounding, and ability to score in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Four</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 1 Wauwatosa East vs. No. 13 Westosha Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wauwatosa East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders will be championship favorites because of the ability [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'] has at the point of attack. She's an excellent passer who can get her teammates the ball in position to score, and get her shooters open looks by drawing defenses into the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close'] and [player_tooltip player_id='454966' first='Ellie' last='Deprey'] have shot the ball at an elite level. The other part of their game that makes them hard to defend is the versatile frontcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='992492' first='Ellie' last='Pudelko'] and [player_tooltip player_id='766594' first='Audrey' last='Sellinger']. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='877544' first='Lyndia' last='Kalumbula'] off the bench. She had an excellent showing in Green Bay last season and has found her role off the bench for a talented Tosa East group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westosha Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lone double-digit seed to reach sectionals is Westosha Central. [player_tooltip player_id='888387' first='Lana' last='Mannetter'] missed the season with a knee injury, but they've gotten solid games from junior [player_tooltip player_id='624966' first='Josie' last='Griffin']. Her versatility on the wing and reliability to put the ball in the basket have been massive for the Falcons this season. If they are going to give Wauwatosa East a game, keep an eye on Lilah Longrie and [player_tooltip player_id='888903' first='Cardin' last='Johnson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 6 Kenosha Bradford vs. No. 7 Franklin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenosha Bradford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradford has some players who can overwhelm defenses around the basket, namely [player_tooltip player_id='751280' first='Rihanna' last='Barker']. Barker is a physical player with an excellent motor. I also like what [player_tooltip player_id='1228999' first='Alise' last='Keys'] brings to the floor as a competitor on both ends of the court. However, the player to watch for the Red Devils if they make a run will be [player_tooltip player_id='874701' first='Cambria' last='Carlino']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Franklin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='992495' first='Gabriella' last='Pritchard'] is a player who runs an offense well and will maximize her team's offensive possessions. She handles the ball well under pressure and moves the ball well in half-court offense. The Sabers will also rely on her to be an offensive threat who can knock down shots from all three levels. They went to sectionals last season and will have some experience heading</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->