My D4 Sectional Three Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today marks the first day we preview D4. We'll have a new champion this season, with Laconia elevating to D3, but there are plenty of contenders and scenarios where multiple teams could lift a gold ball in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional Three produced eventual Runner-Ups, Cuba City, hoping for one final bite at the apple. However, there are threats to that happening on both sides of their sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Champion: Neillsville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Opelt kids have been staples at Neillsville and have dominated the Cloverbelt Conference. Three of the previous four players of the year have either been Bella or Paris Opelt, and they're both gone. So, let's see who's all still around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madi Davel came into her first season of high school basketball and showed plenty of poise in the Warrior backcourt. She did an excellent job of figuring out her role and playing off a talent like Opelt. Davel shot the ball well in year one and has earned a more significant role in her sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another name that will play a pivotal role will be [player_tooltip player_id='914312' first='Sydney' last='Subke']. The 5'10 wing is as consistent of a spot-shooter as you'll find, and her gravity will open the floor for her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After those two, we'll see who steps up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Champion: Argyle/Pecatonica</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an odd elevation for a co-op. A/P is a threat in this sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A duo of [player_tooltip player_id='767257' first='Kylie' last='Butler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='874373' first='Brooke' last='Wellnitz'] is a balanced pairing that can lead to quick offense from their aggressive defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler does an excellent job pushing the ball up the floor and can make passes that few are willing to make. Butler has proven to be a solid scorer at the high school level and will be the focal point of what they do offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wellnitz is their defensive ace who set up at the top of their press. Against small schools, Wellnitz was a nightmare for teams in the Six Rivers, and even in their state semifinal game last season, grabbed 17 rebounds. That kid makes winning plays and doesn't care about scoring. She'll have to score more this season, but I love her mentality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Runner-Up: Aquinas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A traditional D4 powerhouse, the Blugolds are heading into year two without a Donarski playing for Aquinas, and there were plenty of new pieces last season settled in this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='533058' first='Samantha' last='Davis'] played as the focal point for the Blugolds for the first time and had her ups and downs, but her athleticism and motor are impressive. Her continued growth on the offensive end will be intriguing to follow this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddie Murphy is off to UW-Stevens Point and having a solid start to her career there, but the younger guards must step up. [player_tooltip player_id='751241' first='Ava' last='Fernholz'] and Olivia Passhel are two kids to keep tabs on in their sophomore seasons. They fit the frantic style of basketball Aquinas has played in the past and have the tools to excel alongside a kid like Davis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sectional Champion: Cuba City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A knee injury for [player_tooltip player_id='374234' first='Olivia' last='Olson'] could alter how this sectional looks, but I'm choosing to be hopeful and see her back on the floor later this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A healthy [player_tooltip player_id='374234' first='Olivia' last='Olson'] makes this Cubans group the favorites in D4, but the universe didn't want to cooperate with that. Olson's ability to run an offense and get the most out of her teammates while being the kid opposing defenses are terrified of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='914523' first='Ashley' last='Rowe'] is talented enough to hold down the fort in Cuba City's backcourt until Olson is healthy, and having a presence around the basket like [player_tooltip player_id='534426' first='Dea' last='Crist'] should be enough to continue their dominance in SWAL. However, the goal for this team is a gold ball, and they are good enough to lift it in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->