Predicting Division 4 Sectional 1 in September

Brady Peterson September 5, 2026 @ 08:20 PM

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.   Sleeper Teams   McDonell Central Catholic   The Macks have always been a team at or near the top of their conference, and they consistently play a challenging schedule. No matter who is on their roster, they play together and play winning basketball year in and year out, and it'd be hard to count them out until they show us why they can't make a run to the second weekend.   Regional Champions   Shell Lake   The Lakers are a program that will pose different problems than anyone else in D4 this coming winter. Their two best players are forwards who excel at playing around the basket. Athena Lehman is an experienced forward with an excellent motor who can record a double-double anytime she's on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1278345' first='Quinn' last='Schenkenberg'] is a 6-2 rising junior who brings a skill set you won't find in many post players because she can put the ball on the floor and attack from the elbow. I like what this group can bring, and they could frustrate teams if their guards take their game to another level.   Cameron   The Comets bring back most of the talent that led them to a Sectional Final last winter. Cameron was led by newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='1241669' first='Aggie' last='Schmidt'], an impressive two-way player who was impactful on both ends of the floor in year one. The Comets will also have a core of experienced seniors this season who will provide experience and stability to the program: Bridgette Mohns, [player_tooltip player_id='1045915' first='Bailey' last='Olson'], and Inez Schmidt. Cameron has a chance to make it to the Resch Center this season.   Regis   The Ramblers had a unique offense, to say the least. Regis will have a new coach, and they lost their 6-5 post after she transferred across town. However, [player_tooltip player_id='751257' first='EllaMay' last='Cooper'] is one of the most dynamic players off the bounce and will force defenses to do things they wouldn't otherwise do. [player_tooltip player_id='1241412' first='Gemma' last='Gardow'] is also a player who can score in bunches, and when Regis was at their best last season, Cooper and Gardow were clicking offensively.   Eleva-Strum   The Cardinals were runner-ups last season in D5, but were elevated to D4 due to their enrollment. Eleva-Strum has its three leading scorers back for their senior seasons, and those three are all threats offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='751245' first='Avery' last='Glenz'] and Maddea Brown are two players who can score double figures in different ways, but are comfortable handling the ball under pressure. It also helps that they have a physical presence like Avaya Zwieflhofer, who can play around the basket on both ends and space the floor offensively.   Sectional Runner-Up: Cameron   Sectional Champion: Regis

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.