Predicting Division 1 Sectional 2 in August

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Usually, I get to predictions well before this time of year and have something posted around sectionals. However, because they were posted so late due to rule changes, and because of my schedule at the time they were originally posted, I couldn't do this sooner. That said, today, we're starting to predict what the results of this sectional could look like well before the season starts, and we'll see how right or wrong I am come February and March. We'll dive a little deeper into my picks as we move along through the divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sleeper Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Neenah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rockets will look different now that Rowan Klesmit and Ellie Buss are off and playing scholarship-level basketball at the next level. However, if anyone develops rotational players at an elite level, it's Neenah Head Coach Andy Braunel. Every season, a few players who usually play multiple sports rise to the occasion when called upon. Last season, I was impressed by the steps that [player_tooltip player_id='1230665' first='Alissa' last='Ebel'] and Celia Gentile took and how well they played against high-level opponents. That said, the higher-end talent players in [player_tooltip player_id='732637' first='Sydney' last='Michalkiewicz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874401' first='Farrah' last='Danforth'], growing into more prominent roles, will be massive for how good this team could be this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Germantown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There may not be a more unique program in the state than the Germantown Warhawks. Head Coach Matt Stuve had a subbing pattern last season designed to produce a 15-player rotation, and overall I thought it helped them when I saw them play. Conventional wisdom usually says to have a seven- or eight-player rotation, and ride your best players as much as you can. On any given day, any one of the 15 rostered players could make a difference, and they had solid showings against elite teams at times last winter. They also avenged a loss to Sussex Hamilton and beat the Chargers in back-to-back games to end the regular season and kick off the postseason. They're going to run all game, and that can unsettle teams as this talent continues developing within the Germantown program. I loved watching this team last winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oshkosh West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For as long as I've known Oshkosh West, they have always wanted to instil a defensive identity and make every game a struggle for opposing defenses. The Wildcats also return three of their four leading scorers from last season, and all of those players will only be juniors this season. [player_tooltip player_id='992501' first='Kinslee' last='Nelson'] is a player with the athletic tools to swing a game on both ends of the floor, and when she's at her best, so is Oshkosh West. [player_tooltip player_id='874394' first='Mya' last='Johnson'] brings an edge to the floor that fits what the Wildcats want to be, and her defensive tenacity will be needed if this group wants to surprise folks. [player_tooltip player_id='874396' first='Kamryn' last='Stauffacher'] will also be a key piece for this group as a perimeter shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Regional Champions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pewaukee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There may not be a team in Division 1 that lost as much production as Pewaukee did with their 2026 class graduating. However, the cupboard is far from empty for Head Coach Jim Reuter. The Pirates have a talented group of kids back this season who could continue making an impact on winning for Pewaukee. The one to watch will be sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1361656' first='Peace' last='Petzold']. She has the size and skill to control the area around the basket and knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers. After missing most of last season after suffering a knee injury, [player_tooltip player_id='888382' first='Eva' last='Denzien'], who had an impressive start to her junior season, could surprise some people once she returns. I also liked [player_tooltip player_id='764926' first='Kendall' last='Pieper'] as a floor spacer last season, and others like [player_tooltip player_id='992483' first='Alyssa' last='Gloudeman'], Kyleigh Grass, and Etta Powell could prove pivotal as rotation players. They also add a newcomer named [player_tooltip player_id='888339' first='Charlee' last='Johnsen'], who could earn early minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brookfield East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whenever you think about the Spartans, their 2-3 zone is one of the first things that come to mind, and with good reason. Brookfield East has relied on its defense en route to a runner-up finish in 2023, a state appearance in 2022, and sectional appearances in each season since 22-23. No matter what you get from their offense, the defense that Head Coach Tyler Saxton implements gives this team a chance to do something special every year. Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='747942' first='Josie' last='Piurkowski'] will likely be the leading scorer this season and is a good enough shooter to space the defense well beyond the three-point line and knock down numerous three-pointers in any given game. I also like what some of the younger talent brought last season. [player_tooltip player_id='889268' first='Maria' last='Pluemer'] had her moments last season, Avery Mantei has an unbelievable motor, and Josie Yttre had an impressive first season of high school basketball last winter. The Spartans will still be a tough team to score on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hartford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Orioles will look different this season after losing Bella Klages, Lauren Voss, and Reagan Resheske to graduation. However, there may not be a team more prepared for what's coming than a Vinny Daniels-coached group. He has coached elite teams in recent years, gotten this program to sectionals almost every year that I've been around, and led Hartford to the 2024 State Tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='751281' first='Rita' last='Kuepper'] is among the most dynamic guards in the state and can score in bunches at any moment, and has been one of the more efficent creators in the state over the last three seasons. The X-factor for Hartford the last few seasons has been [player_tooltip player_id='751236' first='Alexis' last='Shelsta']. Shelsta is a talented perimeter scorer, and when she's played her best, the Orioles have been the best version of themselves. [player_tooltip player_id='991141' first='Keira' last='Bailey'] also showed positive signs last season and will have a role in the Hartford frontcourt, and I will be curious to see how the rest of the rotation sorts itself out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Appleton East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots returned the most from last season. Appleton East had an excellent season after making a state tournament appearance and was one of the top teams in D1, and lost a few key figures who graduated in 2025. [player_tooltip player_id='749048' first='Ella' last='Sweeney'] is the headliner for this group and is one of the top perimeter shooters in the state this season. She is also a smart guard who can make quick reads with the ball and never gets sped up. However, they have a stable of players who play hard and help their team win on the margins. [player_tooltip player_id='992484' first='Ambria' last='Fischer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='904623' first='Emilia' last='MontMarquette'] are players who could not score a point and have a significant impact on their team, playing winning basketball. They will also likely have another solid year from rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='900184' first='Brooklyn' last='Feller'], who played quality minutes last winter, and Aubrie Erickson, who played well all season for the Patriots. There is something about the kids East has produced since I've been around; all of them know how to make plays on both ends of the floor, and they compete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Runner-Up</strong>: Hartford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Champion</strong>: Appleton East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->