WIAA Division Four 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 Colfax vs. No. 2 Cameron   Colfax   The Vikings ran the table in the Dunn-St. Croix had a notable non-conference victory at the Sonnetag Center over Regis. Jordyn Bowe, who recently surpassed 1,000 career points, is the player who will pose the most prominent threat to opposing defenses. Her ability to create off the dribble and score from all three levels will force defenses to bend when she has the ball in her hands, and she is more than a willing passer who will get her teammates open looks. Sierra Shipman is the other player to watch for Colfax. She has been a steady presence offensively and has been a solid spot shooter from the perimeter this season.   Cameron   Co-Champions of the Heart O'North, Cameron has a core of talented, athletic, and hard-nosed guards who will be valuable in postseason games as long as they're there. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1241669' first='Aggie' last='Schmidt'] became one of the more impressive backcourt players in the Northwest part of the state early and has helped Cameron reach another Sectional weekend. Schmidt has been an excellent defender who can put pressure on opposing ball handlers, get downhill, and score around the basket. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1045915' first='Bailey' last='Olson'] has been a player the Comets can rely on to score from all three levels, and will have an opportunity to make high-pressure shots tomorrow night. Fellow junior, Bridget Mohns, is also a player who could have an impact on tomorrow's Sectional Semifinal on both ends of the floor.   No. 1 Regis vs. No. 2 Neillsville   Regis   The Ramblers have had their ups and downs this season with their young core, but they have the talent to give anyone a run for their money. [player_tooltip player_id='751257' first='EllaMay' last='Cooper'] is a player who has been to the State Tournament before and had a 45-point outburst in Regis' Regional Championship Game against Fall Creek. One could argue that the Ramblers have the best young core in the state, with a pair of freshmen who start, [player_tooltip player_id='1241412' first='Gemma' last='Gardow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1241213' first='Evelyn' last='Borcherding']. Gardow has played off Cooper well and been one of the top scoring guards in the 2029 class, and Borcherding has been the most physically imposing post in Wisconsin. I also like what Izzy Reichart brings to the floor as a glue player on both ends of the court.   Neillsville   The Warriors won the Cloverbelt-East Conference, again, and are coming into the postseason playing well on both ends of the floor. Lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1229361' first='Madi' last='Davel'] is one of the better under-the-radar guards in Wisconsin. She has the speed, change of direction, and knack for scoring the ball that can make her one of the best guards in D4. She also orchestrates the Neillsville offense well. The other aspect of this team that will be massive for them the rest of this season is the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='1241386' first='Eden' last='Marg']. Marg has found her footing at the high school level, had a massive performance against Regis to win their Cloverbelt Crossover game, and will be a major piece of the Neillsville frontcourt for years to come. There is also a little depth with 6'1 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1241182' first='Tessa' last='Warren'] and wing [player_tooltip player_id='1241126' first='Jessica' last='Kuhn'].   Sectional 2   No. 1 St. Mary Catholic vs. No. 3 Stratford   St. Mary Catholic   The Zephyrs were the runner-ups in last season's State Tournament, and walk into sectionals with a new cast of characters they rely on. [player_tooltip player_id='751240' first='Autumn' last='Crowe'], a starter on last season's team, is back and has been among the most impressive players in Division 4 all season, and done everything for this Zephyrs team. Her scoring and rebounding have made her one of the more entertaining players to watch in Wisconsin. Gabby Guererro also impressed me when they played Laconia on the road without three starters. She took the challenge of being the focal point of her team's offense and made high-pressure shots to send that game to overtime. Also, keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='892088' first='Lucy' last='Norville'], she is an active frontcourt player who can make winning plays around the basket.   Stratford   The name to know for the Tigers this weekend is [player_tooltip player_id='1305060' first='Carly' last='Pankratz']. The guard has been the focal point of the Stratford offense and played with confidence in that role. She played a pivotal role in one of their most notable wins when Assumption travelled to Stratford for a conference game. Startford also has a solid core of players they trust outside of Pankratz in Mikayla Steuber and Tria Tubbs. They have an upperclassmen-led team that knows how to play together. Not many people will expect the Tigers to win, but they have the continuity to pull off an upset.   No. 1 Manitowoc Lutheran vs. No. 3 Kewaunee   Manitowoc Lutheran   After being swept in the season series, we may see a third matchup and a rematch from last season's Sectional Final between the Lancers and St. Mary Catholic. Manitowoc Lutheran has a few players who can make a difference in a game at this stage of the season. Marissa Mehlhorn is one of the more physical and athletic wings you'll find in the Fox Valley and has the motor to make plays on both ends of the floor. I also like the intangibles that [player_tooltip player_id='884547' first='Makiah' last='Krause'] brings to the floor. She is a solid perimeter shooter, but she organizes her team well, and all of her teammates respond to her leadership.   Kewaunee   This may be the final chance for Kewaunee to make a run to the latter stages of the postseason, and they have the talent to compete in sectionals. [player_tooltip player_id='777574' first='Jade' last='Kroll'] is a talented guard who can play either guard spot and make plays with the ball in her hands. She is a solid athlete and can use her physicality to overpower guards who try to stay in front of her. I also like the scrappiness that [player_tooltip player_id='1220487' first='Braelyn' last='Chevalier'] has always brought to the floor, which can help her team earn extra possessions in a one-game playoff. Gabby Stangel has also stepped up in her senior season and has been a player who can make high-pressure shots for the Storm.

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.