Previewing Sectional 3 in Division 2

<!-- 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>Kettle Moraine Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enrollment bumped the Chargers to Division 2 this season after coming up just short of reaching the Division 3 State Championship Game. Most of the core players for Kettle Moraine Lutheran are back, headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='931583' first='Brooklyn' last='Luehring'], who has had an unbelievably impressive grassroots season. [player_tooltip player_id='932119' first='Mya' last='Mayer'] found her footing at the varsity level this past season and will be an integral aspect of this team. Outside of those two juniors, they have a productive senior leader in [player_tooltip player_id='751259' first='Hayden' last='Lauer']. I also love the effort this entire team plays with, and they have experience playing deep into the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitefish Bay</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blue Dukes are the reigning Division 2 champions, defeating Beaver Dam in a thriller to hoist the gold ball last season. That Whitefish Bay team was loaded with a talented junior class who've won at the highest level and have made plays at the Resch Center with their backs against the wall. The backcourt trio of [player_tooltip player_id='751283' first='Rowan' last='Counsell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1228363' first='Madeline' last='Volpe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='751252' first='Carrington' last='Balthasar'] will play prominent roles in the Blue Dukes' quest to retain their crown. However, something to note: if the Blue Dukes earn another gold ball, they will play the 2027-28 season in Division 1 due to the tournament performance factor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oostburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Dutch won back-to-back Division 3 State Championships and have been elevated into Division 2 due to the tournament performance factor. Oostburg lost a plethora of productive seniors, including the Ketterhagen twins. However, the Lady Dutch still have one of the most talented players in our borders in [player_tooltip player_id='880796' first='Kinsley' last='Ketterhagen'], who could be one of the most impressive offensive talents this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grafton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Black Hawks have an experienced group that had a 20-win season this past year. Grafton has been the 'best of the rest' in the North Shore Conference these past few years, and has the continuity this season you won't find in many places around Wisconsin. The senior group of [player_tooltip player_id='769179' first='Cali' last='Tagliapietra'], [player_tooltip player_id='1099058' first='Ava' last='Dotson'], [player_tooltip player_id='751272' first='Melanie' last='Morgan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='883074' first='Liliana' last='Verplancke'] could make a deep run if everything clicks this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dark Horses</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nicolet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights have a talented group that had some impressive showings in the North Shore this past season, and could be a program that surprises some people this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->