Predicting Division 1 Sectional 4 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>Oak Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights are traditionally a team that can be frustrating to play against because of their defensive prowess. They will likely defend slightly differently without having a 6-3 post player to defend around the basket. However, they do have a talented rising sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='888335' first='Sofija' last='Paldrmic'], who found her footing towards the end of her first season of high school basketball. Oak Creek will still likely be a team that can give opposing offenses headaches and make things uncomfortable in a one-game playoff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Franklin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sabers took a step forward last season after a run to sectionals two seasons ago. Franklin won the new-look Southeast Conference outright and had its younger players take steps forward. Gabrielle Pritchard has done a solid job as the Sabers' lead guard and helped her team get good looks within their offense. They may not be a group expected to make a deep run this season, but there is enough experience and success within this team to win postseason games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Regional Champions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westosha Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nothing really went right early on for the Falcons last season. From talented rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='888387' first='Lana' last='Mannetter'] hurting her knee before the season, to losing games they probably felt they should have won. However, something changed around the start of February. Westosha Central found their groove and went 6-2 in their final eight games, beating Muskego and Oak Creek to win a regional title as a double-digit seed. Now, they have experienced players in Lilah Longerie and [player_tooltip player_id='875003' first='Keara' last='Griffin'] who have won postseason games, and will welcome back Mannetter this season, who is among the most talented juniors in the region. I also like the energy their backcourt has in [player_tooltip player_id='888351' first='Katie' last='Pelli'] and a newcomer who could frustrate opposing lead guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wauwatosa East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Mary Merg has led the Red Raiders to unprecedented success that Tosa East has not experienced in decades, if ever. However, this team will be different after the class of 2026 graduated last spring. [player_tooltip player_id='992492' first='Ellie' last='Pudelko'] can play a more prominent role this season and has developed well over the last two years. If she is comfortable playing off the dribble, she could be a breakout player to keep tabs on. After that, there will be a handful of players who are stepping into roles they aren't used to, like [player_tooltip player_id='1221987' first='Amarea' last='Dantzler'] and Khloe Eimmerman. Each has the talent to be productive varsity players, but may struggle early in the season as they get their footing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mukwonago</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mukwonago had a solid season last winter and won a regional title for the first time in some time. This group also boasts one of the most versatile wings in the state in rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1232213' first='Peyton' last='Cochenet']. Cochenet is a 6-1 kid who can play in transition, finish around the basket, create for others, and defend multiple positions. Head Coach Rick Witte has done an excellent job in his time at Mukwonago and has helped take this program to new levels since the pandemic. The perimeter shooting is the one thing that concerns me most, but if they can knock down shots, this team may be better than anyone expects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenosha Bradford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Devils have always been a team on the cusp of making a deep postseason run, and were a game away from the state tournament in 2025. They have a competitive spirit in this group, and [player_tooltip player_id='751280' first='Rihanna' last='Barker'] embodies how this team wins games. The rising senior is a physical and athletic player who does all the little things to win every time she steps on the floor. I also like that this group is consistently good within the Southeast Conference and will always give themselves a chance to win in this sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Runner-Up</strong>: Wauwatosa East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Champion</strong>: Westosha Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->