WIAA Division Two 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 Rice Lake vs. No. 2 La Crosse Central   Rice Lake   The Warriors won Sectional One last season and return to sectionals this season with a similar core of players. [player_tooltip player_id='533077' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee'] is among the state leaders in scoring and has done most of her damage inside the three-point line. However, her length and athleticism allow her to make a significant impact on both ends of the floor, and still provide a perimeter threat as a shooter, which defenses will respect. She will be the difference maker for Rice Lake. [player_tooltip player_id='914910' first='Addison' last='Schmidt'] is the player who gives this team its identity. Schmidt, in my opinion, is the best rebounder in the state and will help her team win the rebounding battle in almost every game they play the rest of the way. They outrebounded Medford in a Regional Championship game 44-25, so even if they don't shoot well from the field, it is nearly impossible to keep this team off the offensive boards.   La Crosse Central   The Riverhawks have had an odd end to the season because of an injury senior wing Alahnna Simpson suffered against Aquinas. Simpson is the heart and soul of La Crosse Central and will be the player the Riverhawks rely on to make things happen with the ball in her hands, and her teammates will look to play off her. Her younger sister, [player_tooltip player_id='1229373' first='Malayah' last='Simpson'], has been a positive member of her team this season and has the confidence to take high-pressure shots. However, the name to watch will be a freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='1753992' first='Ellie' last='Apuan']. Her ability to knock down perimeter shots could open the floor for her unit.   No. 1 Shawano vs. No. 3 Rhinelander   Shawano   Shawano was a game away from the state tournament, and they have another opportunity to earn a trip to Green Bay this season. [player_tooltip player_id='474774' first='Leah' last='Nordin'] is among the most talented wings in the state. Her ability to get to her spots and put the ball in the basket will create issues for any defense they play against the rest of the season. She will be the difference maker for them if they reach the state tournament. The other player to note on this team is senior forward Anna Drier. She may not be a player who will score 20 and grab ten rebounds on most nights, but she plays with an edge around the basket that could prove vital in their ability to control the paint.   Rhinelander   The Hodags of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, are led by the Clark sisters, [player_tooltip player_id='874375' first='Aubryn' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874406' first='Teagan' last='Clark']. Aubryn is a junior and leads the Hodags in scoring this season. She is a physical and athletic guard who will handle the ball most of the time down the floor and be responsible for creating for her teammates offensively. Teagan is more of an off-ball guard who can handle the ball at times when needed and be trusted to make plays for her teammates. However, her main threat against any teams they see the rest of the way will be her perimeter shooting and overall ability to space the floor.   Sectional 2   No 1. Edgewood vs. No. 2 Milton   Edgewood   Edgewood came as close as a team can come to a state title last season, losing a talented Wauwatosa East in multiple overtimes. They have one of the top lead guards in [player_tooltip player_id='764918' first='Anna' last='Miller'] running the show for the Crusaders, and she has been as aggressive as I've seen her this season, and will hunt her shot when she needs. She is still a pass-first player at heart, but they've needed her to be a scoring guard, and she's done that. Outside of her, some players've been around a while, like [player_tooltip player_id='914983' first='Beanie' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888846' first='Macey' last='Faust']. Each has played on the biggest stage in Wisconsin high school basketball and will make winning plays. Outside of those two, some inexperienced players are new to the rotation, so kids like [player_tooltip player_id='992514' first='Siena' last='Rabach'], Eva Akpandja, and Juju Thompson will be x-factors for the Crusaders.   Milton   The Red Hawks came up short in regionals last season and returned this season with a challenging non-conference schedule. Milton has also been playing its best basketball since the turn of the new year, only losing to Waunake on the road. They have excellent balance in their backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='881307' first='Kylee' last='Buttchen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888860' first='Nayeli' last='Kilen'], who have figured out how to play with each other and get the best out of each other's games. I also love how [player_tooltip player_id='879894' first='Mady' last='Vind'] is playing on the wing for the Red Hawks down the stretch, and will be a handful for opposing defenses. However, they also have roles carved out for [player_tooltip player_id='884030' first='Aubrey' last='Klug'], [player_tooltip player_id='883195' first='Allison' last='Kojo'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1220819' first='Sydney' last='Grady'].   No. 1 Elkhorn vs. No. 2 Catholic Memorial   Elkhorn   The Elks had a few challenging opponents in regionals, compared to others, and in the game I attended against Waukesha West, they didn't put a foot wrong. [player_tooltip player_id='533068' first='Kyrin' last='Lile'] pushed a triple-double, [player_tooltip player_id='556153' first='Kylie' last='Schultz'] moved the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='667660' first='Emilyn' last='Bonow'] knocked down perimeter jumpers, and they got some contributions from their reserves. I thought there was a chance they could struggle in their regional, but they did reach sectionals with relative ease. They will look to continue playing through [player_tooltip player_id='533068' first='Kyrin' last='Lile'], allowing her teammates to play off her, and hopefully generate open looks all over the floor.   Catholic Memorial   The Crusaders have been a fixture in sectionals for the last handful of years, but this is their first year back in Division Two after a long enrollment hiatus, and they are among the smallest schools in the division. This season, [player_tooltip player_id='533059' first='Kelly' last='Boinski'] has been the focal point of the Crusader offense and recently became the program's all-time scoring leader. She is a physical player who is willing to force her way to the basket and play through contact. The other player to know is [player_tooltip player_id='842222' first='Sami' last='Sarner'], a rangey wing who can make plays on both ends of the floor and knock down perimeter jumpers in bunches when given space.

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.