Previewing Sectional 3 in Division 3

<!-- 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>Edgerton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crimson Tide have been among the top teams in Division 3 for the last handful of seasons, but have run into some elite programs in sectionals. Edgerton will look a little different without some of the productive seniors who have been staples in their rotation over the past four years. However, they do boast a talented senior guard in [player_tooltip player_id='914989' first='Claudia' last='Jenny'], who can lead a lineup and get the most out of the players around her. There will be some growing pains, I'm sure, but they have some experience back within their rotation in [player_tooltip player_id='887466' first='Jo' last='Schlag'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888414' first='Brooke' last='Kahl'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Platteville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hillmen earned a share of the SWC title in the final regular season game of the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1219523' first='Avery' last='Richard'] has been a reliable creator who can handle the ball and generate open looks for her teammates. She has developed into a versatile lead guard who can get downhill and put pressure on the basket. They also have kids who know how to play alongside her, including [player_tooltip player_id='1223311' first='Quinn' last='Temperly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1220407' first='Soraeya' last='Stone'], and Kinley Bendorf, who played roles in Platteville's success last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Laconia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans have a talented guard in [player_tooltip player_id='764914' first='Finley' last='Morgan'], who has played high-pressure games in her previous three seasons at Laconia. Outside of Morgan, there will be players with experience, like Gabby Pinno and [player_tooltip player_id='1812289' first='Lillianne' last='Zimmerman'], who did well in their first season playing in the Spartans rotation last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dark Horses</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Country Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lightning have their three leading scorers back from last season and will be led by [player_tooltip player_id='885270' first='Aubri' last='Elmore'] and Eden Mueller this coming winter. They have a solid backcourt they can rely on to help them win close games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeside Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors also have their three leading scorers back this season and are led by [player_tooltip player_id='1230033' first='Nadia' last='Murphy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='615460' first='Paige' last='Murphy'], who led this team in most statistical categories. [player_tooltip player_id='1801730' first='Alex' last='Moore'] also had an impressive first season of high school basketball, and should take another step forward this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->