WIAA Division Three Sectional Preview: Sectionals Three and Four

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 3   No. 2 Winnconne vs. No. 4 Brillion   Winneconne   The Wolves have had a rough stretch to end the season, and weren't playing as well as they could coming into the state tournament, but they'll have an opportunity to right some of those wrongs this week. Winneconne has the talent to beat anyone in Division 3 in a one-game playoff. [player_tooltip player_id='751291' first='Grace' last='Mitchell'] is the one player who can play multiple positions and is comfortable taking and making challenging shots from all over the floor. She's also played with junior post [player_tooltip player_id='1162234' first='Harper' last='Neace'], who brings plenty of physicality to the painted area. I also think their role players, [player_tooltip player_id='1325497' first='Jada' last='Kaiser'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1223776' first='Ari' last='Reetz'], have the tools to be swing players in a playoff game.   Brillion   The Lions, as a No. 4 seed, hosted a Regional Championship after No. 8 Freedom upset No. 1 Denmark. Brillion has been a solid group in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference, and has an opportunity to surprise people now that they are only two wins away from the State Tournament. The Lions are led by a Freshman guard, [player_tooltip player_id='874408' first='Kaitlyn' last='Schuman']. Schuman is a dynamic guard who can play either backcourt spot, knock down high-pressure perimeter shots, move the ball around the floor, and get to the basket. Outside of Schuman, [player_tooltip player_id='842230' first='Amaya' last='Brooks'] is a player who has played solid basketball for the Lions for the last handful of seasons. She has the experience and skill to make winning plays in a win-or-go-home postseason game.   No. 1 Oostburg vs. No. 2 Laconia   Oostburg   The overall favorite for the State Title in Division Three are the Oostburg Lady Dutch, and with good reason. The Ketterhagen sisters have been excellent all season, and [player_tooltip player_id='533060' first='Ady' last='Ketterhagen'] is a finalist for Ms. Basketball. Her versatillity to play as a ball handler and with her back the basket make her one of the most challenging players to defend in an isolation setting. [player_tooltip player_id='880796' first='Kinsley' last='Ketterhagen'] has also been one of the most frustrating defensive assignments since she debuted last season. [player_tooltip player_id='533061' first='Riley' last='Ketterhagen'] being healthy has also been needed for the Lady Dutch. Her ability to move the ball, space the floor, and knock down perimeter shots has been valuable. Oostburg has also had a plethora of role players with players like [player_tooltip player_id='1359856' first='Soraya' last='Benton'], Macy Bruggink, and Taylor Brasser, among others.   Laconia   After losing most of their rotation to graduation last season, the Spartans have found their way back to Sectionals, and they'll have an opportunity to pull off a massive upset. [player_tooltip player_id='764914' first='Finley' last='Morgan'] has stepped into a more prominent role, and found success as the primary ball handler. She has still been a periemetr threat, but she has also been able to get downhill and put pressure on the basket. I also think their role players have taken a step forward this season. [player_tooltip player_id='842233' first='Marissa' last='Johnson'] has done a little of everything on both ends of the floor, Kendyl Pluim has had massive performances, and [player_tooltip player_id='889690' first='Mylee' last='Redman'] is also a dynamic ball handler who can score from all three levels.   Sectional 4   No. 1 Kettle Moraine Lutheran vs. No. 3 Lakeside Lutheran   Kettle Moraine Lutheran   Quietly, one of the top teams in the state this season has been Kettle Moraine Lutheran. The Chargers have a talented group of young players who play well together. The duo who will lead the way for the Chargers are a pair of juniors, [player_tooltip player_id='931583' first='Brooklyn' last='Luehring'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932119' first='Mya' last='Mayer']. Luerhing is a talented left-handed guard who has excelled as a two-way player for KML and has taken a step forward in her sophomore season. Mayer is a physical post player who has been a double-double threat since she stepped on the floor, and has thrived once she earned a role this season. I also love the depth this team has from [player_tooltip player_id='751259' first='Hayden' last='Lauer'], to Evie Ehlke, to Emma Wagner, to [player_tooltip player_id='751264' first='Kennedy' last='Thistle'], among others, this team has all the tools to compete for a Gold Ball. Don't count them out.   Lakeside Lutheran   The Warriors emerged from the bottom of this sectional and have a talented guard/wing in [player_tooltip player_id='1230033' first='Nadia' last='Murphy'] who will carry the lionshare of the responsibility for Lakeside Lutheran. Murphy is comfortable scoring from all three levels, and can play through contact when she gets into the paint. She is also a player who will dig on defensively and battle for defensive rebounds. If the Warriors compete against a talented KML team, they'll need Murphy to be at her best.   No. 1 Milwaukee Academy of Science vs. No. 2 St. Thomas More   Milwaukee Academy of Science   The Lady Novas are one of the most unique programs because they are the one Indendepnt program who plays all over the state. They've played a talented schedule and will be one of the most battle tested teams in the state heading into sectionals. [player_tooltip player_id='882114' first='Ariell' last='Allen'] is their primary ball handler and will look for her shot with the ball in her hands, or attempt to turn the corner on her defender. The other name to know for this group is [player_tooltip player_id='743735' first='Kourtlyn' last='Guy'], who is one of the more talented defensive prospects in the state and will take the other team's most challenging assingment. Outside of those two players, keep an eye on Kimora Smith and Aniyah Jones.   St. Thomas More   St. Thomas More has a group of juniors and seniors who have the edge in experience over nearly everyone in the Division Three field. [player_tooltip player_id='842243' first='Hanna' last='Bultman'] is one of the most challenging post players to defend, and she loves to crash the boards. [player_tooltip player_id='624974' first='Zoë' last='Dispennette'] is another talented senior who can space the floor and knock down multiple shots from beyond the three-point line. She can be a player who swings a game on any given night. [player_tooltip player_id='824200' first='Leigha' last='Wardlow'] is thier lead guard who sets the tone for her team's offense. Her ability to handle the ball and create for her teammates make her a valuable member of her team's offense. However, they have some reliable role players with players like Olivia LaVigne and Janai Blakely.

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.