Predicting Division 2 Sectional 2 in September

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Usually, I get to predictions well before this time of year and have something posted around sectionals. However, because they were posted so late due to rule changes, and because of my schedule at the time they were originally posted, I couldn't do this sooner. That said, today, we're starting to predict what the results of this sectional could look like well before the season starts, and we'll see how right or wrong I am come February and March. We'll dive a little deeper into my picks as we move along through the divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sleeper Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McFarland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans have a talented rising sophomore in Ali Charbonneau. She is a physical and athletic kid who can make winning plays on both ends of the floor. McFarland will also boast [player_tooltip player_id='992502' first='Kylie' last='Ganshert'], who has been a productive piece for them over the past few seasons. There is some talent to work with here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beaver Dam</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Golden Beavers are coming off a run to a state championship and were close to pulling off a miraculous comeback to take the D2 crown. However, they will be without core pieces in Nataya Donaldson, Emma Julka, and Sheamarie Ashley, who all graduated last spring. There are still pieces to work with in this program in players like Luci Gonzalez and Joelee Drzonek, but it will take a different kind of style for Beaver Dam to reach the heights it did last winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>La Crosse Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Alahnna Simpson graduated last spring, the Riverhawks are left with a major void offensively, and they may have a player who can fill it. [player_tooltip player_id='1753992' first='Ellie' last='Apuan'] is an athletic rising sophomore who had her moments last season and has the tools to be a high-level two-way wing in the Southwestern part of the state. She is the likely piece that could take this team over the top in the top half of the sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Regional Champions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Onalaska</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hilltoppers are one of the teams to watch in this sectional and have their entire rotation back from last season. The name to get to know from Onalaska is [player_tooltip player_id='1744831' first='Kayla' last='Ketelhut']. She hasn't played grassroots basketball up until this next spring and summer, but she has put together an impressive first two seasons for the Hilltoppers. Beyond Ketelhut, the Hilltoppers have players who understand their roles and buy into what their team is trying to do. Having Olivia Passehl's perimeter shooting, Natalie Marso's physicality around the rim, and Finley Walters' passing helps make this group what it is. They'll have a chance to make a run next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeForest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every season, without fail, the Norskie's are a team as well coached as anyone around the state. They do all the simple things well, and it gives them a puncher's chance in games most don't expect them to compete in within the Badger Conference. DeForest also has a trio of rising seniors who have developed over the past three seasons and improved each season. [player_tooltip player_id='914978' first='Alexis' last='Accuardi'], Brinley Goninen, and [player_tooltip player_id='1230038' first='Addyson' last='Heuer'] each had impressive junior seasons and have the experience to give anyone a handful on any given night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Milton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Hawks broke out last season and were a game away from making a trip to the Resch Center. Not having a staple in their backcourt like Nayeli Kilen will make things harder for Milton, but there are plenty of players for this program to be excited about. [player_tooltip player_id='881307' first='Kylee' last='Buttchen'] proved a lot last season and was the best player they had at creating their own shot. I also thought [player_tooltip player_id='884030' first='Aubrey' last='Klug'] took a step forward throughout the season and was a crucial part of the rotation down the stretch. However, I also thought that we saw a new side of [player_tooltip player_id='879894' first='Mady' last='Vind'], who showed herself to be one of the top slashers in D2 last winter. Each season, this program has been better than it was the year before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edgewood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After making back-to-back trips to the state tournament, once in D3 and once in D2, the Crusaders are back and boast the best lead guard in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='764918' first='Anna' last='Miller'] did her best to will Edgewood past Milton in a Sectional Semifinal, but it wasn't to be. Miller will be the engine for the Crusaders on both ends of the floor this season, but the ceiling for this program will be on the rest of the rotation. [player_tooltip player_id='914983' first='Beanie' last='Thompson'] has the skill set to make plays on both ends of the floor and will be a key piece for Edgewood in her senior season. However, besides those two, it will be intriguing to see who else steps forward to help this program in high-profile games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Runner-Up</strong>: DeForest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Champion</strong>: Milton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->