WIAA Division Five Sectional Preview: Sectionals One and Two

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.   Sectional 1   No. 1 Webster vs. No. 2 Solon Springs   Webster   The Tigers have been a solid group over the past few seasons and have had an excellent year thus far. Webster is undefeated heading into sectionals this evening and has a winning mindset after falling short last year. The Tigers have a junior, in Avery Hetfleld, whom they can rely on offensively. I also like how well this team has defended this season, and they can fall back on that when shots aren't falling, which will keep them in games.   Solon Springs   The Eagles are one of the smallest schools in the state, but have punched above their weight on the floor. Now, Solon Springs has a talented newcomer in [player_tooltip player_id='1267665' first='Kalli' last='Nelson'] who can handle the ball and will carry the lion's share of the offensive responsibility, and this will be the highest-pressure environment she plays in all season. I'm eager to see how she plays against a solid Webster team this season in a win-or-go-home game in Sectionals.   No. 1 Eleva-Strum vs. No. 3 Owen-Withee   Eleva-Strum   The Cardinals have been among the elite programs in D5 this season, and will have to see the reigning sectional champions, Owen-Withee, this evening with a trip to a Sectional Final on the line. Eleva-Strum will have a talented, athletic, skilled, and experienced backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='751245' first='Avery' last='Glenz'] and Maddea Brown, who have made plenty of plays on both ends of the floor in the last two seasons, and are another remaining unbeaten team in sectionals.   Owen-Withee   The reigning sectional champions are back after traveling and winning a road game in their regional championship. They have a handful of players returning who reached the state tournament last season. The Blackhawks aren't a team that wants to get into a track meet and excel at winning on the margins in small-school basketball. Thanks to players like Carmen Freese and Madi Muller, this team can outrebound teams and make extra-effort plays that lead to hustle points.   Sectional 2   No. 1 Independence/Gilmanton vs. No. 3 De Soto   Independence/Gilmanton   The co-op has played some solid teams in the Dairyland Conference this season and will be battle-tested heading into sectionals, two wins away from a state tournament. Arabelle Kniseley leads the Indees in scoring and will be a player they rely on to generate offense in different ways, and is a player who can make plays on both ends of the floor. However, keep an eye on their sophomore, Rielynn Shaehan, who is also scoring in double digits on average this season.   De Soto   The Pirates are a solid team from the Southwestern part of Wisconsin. They boast a do-it-all junior in [player_tooltip player_id='1135350' first='Kylee' last='Venner'] who may not be the most physically imposing wing or forward, but she can record a double-double on any given night. After having to travel to earn a spot in sectionals, the Pirates will line up against one of the more well-rounded groups in their sectional. They've given themselves a chance to make a name for themselves over the next few days.   No. 1 Argyle/Pecatonica vs. No. 3 Barneveld   Argyle/Pecatonica   The co-op made the state tournament the last time they were in D5, and have an opportunity to reach the Resch Center with two more wins this week. They are led by the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='767257' first='Kylie' last='Butler'] and Brook Wellnitz, who have played together for three years now and have found plenty of success in the Six Rivers and beyond. They will test everyone's ability to handle the ball and take care of the ball against a press, and they will apply pressure whenever they're on the floor.   Barneveld   The Name to know for the Eagles is [player_tooltip player_id='533073' first='Izabel' last='Durst']. The left-handed guard led Barneveld to a runner-up finish in D5 last season and is, arguably, the best player in small-school basketball this season. Her ability to control the ball at the point of attack, create off the dribble, and score from all three levels makes her a headache to defend. She is capable of swinging any game the Eagles play the rest of the way in their favor. She is that influential.

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.