Previewing Sectional 2 in Division 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The grassroots season for me is over, and I'm shifting my attention towards the 2026-27 WIAA Girls Basketball Season. I haven't had much time to look at the new sectionals over the past month, so as I start previewing sectionals, I will be taking a deep dive into each field for the first time. That said, let's look at the fields in each division and sectional for this upcoming season. After we finish up previewing each sectional, I'll make my predictions in each division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorites</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Neillsville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning Division 4 State Champions are back in D4 and have many of the pieces back that helped this program hoist a gold ball last March. [player_tooltip player_id='1229361' first='Madi' last='Davel'], [player_tooltip player_id='1241182' first='Tessa' last='Warren'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1241386' first='Eden' last='Marg'] were the core trio the Warriors relied on to make plays, and they did down the stretch last season. Warren and Marg, in particular, had their moments at the Resch Center last winter, and all have gained experience that could make a difference this season. We know what this team will look like this season, and we know that, at their best, they could be back-to-back D4 State Champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deerfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Demons have a reliable group of players back from last season and are led by a talented post player in [player_tooltip player_id='992515' first='Sydney' last='Loerke']. She is one of the better interior defenders in D4 and will set the tone in the paint on both ends of the floor. I also liked what I saw from [player_tooltip player_id='889178' first='Tia' last='Anderson'] last winter, and think she can grow in the role she earned last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lancaster</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Flying Arrows did a lot for the first time in a long time last season. Lancaster made a trip to sectionals in D3, and they have one of the most athletic players in small-school basketball in [player_tooltip player_id='1229670' first='Lexie' last='Olmstead']. The Flying Arrows also return [player_tooltip player_id='1789525' first='Addison' last='Morgan'] and Maddie Driscoll, who will play crucial roles for Lancaster this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albany/Monticello</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Space Stallions were a few possessions away from a D4 State Title last season, coming up just short agaisnt Neillsville in the title game. Albany/Monticello returns four of their five leading scorers last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1092830' first='Heidi' last='Olson'] stepped up and became their leading scorer. I also believe [player_tooltip player_id='1308138' first='Emersen' last='Butts'] can reach another level this winter. There is still plenty of talent here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dark Horses</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cuba City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cubans have been a staple in basketball in Southwest Wisconsin. There may be the same players or the same level of talent they had when they won a state title, but this is always a well-coached group that can make any game uncomfortable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->