Previewing Sectional 3 in Division 1

<!-- 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>Waunakee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors had an early postseason exit this past year, and they have a talented crew returning this season. Waunakee boasts one of the most talented players in the rising senior class in [player_tooltip player_id='751287' first='Tessa' last='Bryan']. Bryan is the engine of this group and can help it become one of the better transition offenses in the state. The key to this team taking that final step and reaching the state tournament will be the development of [player_tooltip player_id='1216145' first='Nora' last='Meudt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874384' first='Keira' last='Van Wie']. Those two were in the Warriors' rotation last season, but more will be needed from them if this group reaches the levels they could this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La Follette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancers have the opportunity to be the first Madison public school to reach the state tournament since Madison East in the 1990 tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='874372' first='Nyajuacni' last='Riak'] is among the nation's best players in the 2028 class, and will be the best player in every game her team plays this season. Outside of Riak, [player_tooltip player_id='1229695' first='Ndey' last='Cham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888035' first='Jacela' last='Fields'] are experienced high school players who have improved since they stepped foot onto a high school floor. La Follette will also have some newcomers who could play a role this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kettle Moraine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lasers had a long streak of reaching sectionals snapped last year after a narrow loss to La Follette in their first postseason game. However, this is a young, guard-oriented group who could be one of the deeper teams in sectionals this coming season. [player_tooltip player_id='992511' first='Quinn' last='Lodes'] came into her own last season and was a reliable offensive threat for Kettle Moraine. They also have a lot of scrappy guards with motors to help this group win on the margins, specifically [player_tooltip player_id='1307706' first='Tenley' last='Neal'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Verona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is hard to bet against what the Verona Wildcats have been over the past handful of years. No matter what, this group has found a way to compete against talented programs, and will likely be at or near the top of the Big Eight for the foreseeable future. A handful of talented seniors moved on, but there are a few players to be excited about, namely [player_tooltip player_id='992508' first='Macy' last='Stremlow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1049239' first='Noelle' last='Rauwolf']. They also do an excellent job at getting the most out of their role players and developing kids to play those roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dark Horses</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Janesville Craig</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The duo of [player_tooltip player_id='917003' first='Yana-Aaliyah' last='Stevens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='877660' first='Destinii' last='Green'] is an incredibly talented pairing who could help take this team further than people expect. I like what they bring to the floor individually, and after a year of playing together, they could be all they need to make this team a sneaky fun team to watch this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monona Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing Sydney Glynn will sting for the Silver Eagles. However, this program hasn't had any one player in recent years that's been the sole reason for their success. Monona Grove has a culture where the players are invested in each other's success, and it will be the same this season. I don't expect them to be entirely off the pace in this sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->