Previewing Sectional 2 in Division 5

<!-- 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>Columbus Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dons have one of the best young cores in small-school basketball, and last season may be the last time Columbus Catholic doesn't make the second weekend for a while. [player_tooltip player_id='1236090' first='Elly' last='Gardner'] is a talented lead guard who can create her shot anywhere on the floor and score from all three levels. She had an excellent debut season and played well on the EYBL circuit over the summer. She plays well alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1380629' first='Izzy' last='Holz'], and there is still talent coming through the ranks who will join the Dons this season, with more on the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pacelli</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is crazy to think that the now-reigning D5 Champions were a whisker away from not making it out of Marshfield against Columbus Catholic in the Regional Title game. However, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. That said, [player_tooltip player_id='876098' first='Jaedyn' last='Zdroik'] is back after posting a triple-double in the state title game last March, and there is plenty of talent back for the Cardinals. Hayelee Cieswski is back, and hopefully, after a knee injury, Madu Pionek can help the Cardinals make another push for a state title in her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dark Horses</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Independence/Gilmanton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 22-win season, Independence/Gilmanton lost their leading scorer, Arabelle Kniseley, but did return their next six leading scorers from last season's team. Some experienced players have played on talented teams and competed against some of the top small schools in their region, and have had success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De Soto</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates bring back their top two scorers from last season, and those two have been staples of the program since they arrived. [player_tooltip player_id='1135350' first='Kylee' last='Venner'] and Sylvia Krueger are kids who play hard and will help their team win on the margins in every game. They will give this team a puncher's chance in this sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blair-Taylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats lost most of their offensive output to graduation last spring. However, [player_tooltip player_id='885633' first='Kelcie' last='Kindschy'] had a productive first season and earned her team's trust to be a high-volume offensive option. If she develops, that could help this team stay competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->