Predicting Division 2 Sectional 1 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>Fox Valley Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Foxes have a young group who should be around for the next two or three years. [player_tooltip player_id='1264437' first='Kinley' last='Peterson'] is the player to know and had one of the more impressive first seasons of high school basketball among the newcomers last winter. Fox Valley Lutheran will also have a handful of newcomers entering the high school ranks this winter who could help take this team to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West De Pere</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach Chris Abaray has done an excellent job with the Phantoms over the last few seasons, helping them compete at the highest level. [player_tooltip player_id='879987' first='Molly' last='Walder'] is back for her senior year and was one of the better perimeter shooters in Northeast Wisconsin last season. After how this team has played since the class of 2025 graduated, I still expect West De Pere to be one that could give teams trouble this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Regional Champions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rice Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors have reached the Resch Center the past few seasons, but lost arguably the best player in program history, Adaline Sheplee. The good news for Rice Lake is they return [player_tooltip player_id='914910' first='Addison' last='Schmidt'], who, in my opinion, is the best post player in Wisconsin right now. They also have a developing guard in [player_tooltip player_id='884745' first='Brielle' last='Balts'] who played crucial minutes for Rice Lake last season and seems ready to step into a more prominent role this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rhinelander</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hodags reached a sectional semifinal last season and came up short against a talented Shawano team. The backcourt is still reliable with a pair of sisters in [player_tooltip player_id='874375' first='Aubryn' last='Clark'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874406' first='Teagan' last='Clark']. Each is a reliable perimeter shooter who can knock down shots consistently from beyond the arc. Rhinelander will also be tested in their non-conference schedule and will have some experience heading into the postseason again this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notre Dame</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the Tritons came up short against Wauwatosa East in the D1 State Semifinals, they dropped back down to D2. Head Coach Sarah Rohde will have a different rotation because of the kids in the 2026 class who graduated last spring, but there is plenty of young talent. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='874404' first='Ava' last='Cumicek'] is a skilled guard who could thrive as a lead guard this winter, and numerous young talents are coming through the ranks. I'm also eager to see how [player_tooltip player_id='874383' first='Brianna' last='Breese'] plays in a more prominent role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopefully, [player_tooltip player_id='751258' first='Elle' last='Krull'] can play her senior season without any more injury issues. In her first season, she was among the more impressive newcomers in her class and swung a state semifinal game in Xavier's favor. She can be a productive two-way player at her best and could make a difference even after missing most of the last two seasons. The Hawks also bring back Hailey Hafner and [player_tooltip player_id='1232585' first='Kayla' last='Standish'], who each played productive roles last season and have played winning basketball against high-profile opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Runner-Up</strong>: Rice Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Champion</strong>: Notre Dame</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->