Division 2 Sectional Preview

Over the next two days, we'll break down each sectional in every division and discuss what has to go right for each team to reach the Resch Center and what could hold them back from hoisting a Sectional Championship plaque on Saturday. We'll discuss D1 and D2 today and wrap it up tomorrow with the small schools.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Division 2</h1>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 1</h2>   Rice Lake   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Having the most talented in the field gives you a chance. [player_tooltip player_id='533077' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee'] has been the most aggressive I've seen from her on the offensive end of the floor, and she's affected the game on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='914910' first='Addison' last='Schmidt']'s physical and rebounding presence gives them an edge on the boards.   What could go wrong?   The supporting cast has been good in the postseason. Anna Lipke, Harper Schommer, Sydney Schradle, and Emily Kalina have all played a role for them. However, each of them has been up and down throughout the season.   Lakeland   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Having a Ms. Basketball candidate means you have someone who can swing a game, and that's what [player_tooltip player_id='338940' first='Kristina' last='Ouimette'] can do. She's an efficient and high-volume three-point shooter who makes shots in bunches. [player_tooltip player_id='448291' first='Saylor' last='Timmerman'] also adds a physical presence around the basket.   What could go wrong?   Similar to Rice Lake, the Thunderbirds' backcourt will be the difference. Their backcourt was solid in conference, but sectionals are a different ball game.   Shawano   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Hawks have a scrappy bunch of kids willing to throw themselves around for the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='474774' first='Leah' last='Nordin'] is also an elite talent. Her ability to score from all three levels opens up the floor for her teammates to make plays.   What could go wrong?   Shawano has the same issue as Rice Lake and Lakeland. Their backcourt has helped them beat some of the top teams in the Bay Conference, but they've also fought through some inconsistencies.   Marinette   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Marines battled a challenging Northeast Conference schedule and won their second conference title. [player_tooltip player_id='878148' first='Chloe' last='Seymour'] and Rieley Kieffer have set roles and are the tone setters on each end of the floor.   What could go wrong?   Marinette's offense will be the looming question mark. Kieffer is the main threat from the three-point line. However, compared to the rest of the sectional, the Marines don't have the size to compete around the basket.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 2</h2>   West De Pere   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Guards win games in March, and [player_tooltip player_id='448251' first='Faith' last='Walder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='329595' first='Ella' last='Francois'] are among the most talented backcourts left in D2. Maddisyn Berggren has shot the ball well from the perimeter this season, and a four-three-pointer night could swing a game. [player_tooltip player_id='448302' first='Mia' last='Racine']'s return from her ACL injury last season also adds a different element to the Phantoms.   What could go wrong?   In the Phantoms' most notable games, they've been played off the floor by teams like Laconia and Hortonville. Teams who can match their talent worry me, but the teams in this sectional may not match their talent level.   New Berlin Eisenhower   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The defense is real. [player_tooltip player_id='448297' first='Megan' last='McDowell'] is a perfect lynchpin for them. Her switchability and length allow her to defend inside and out. Expect some junky games for the Lions.   What could go wrong?   Any game into the high 40s or 50s is scary for the Lions. Eisenhower doesn't have much offensive firepower this season.   Waukesha West   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Future Illinois State Red Bird [player_tooltip player_id='602353' first='Jordan' last='Fenske'] is the most talented kid in this sectional. [player_tooltip player_id='533083' first='Taylor' last='Gifford'] is healthy heading into sectionals after being out for a while. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='751242' first='Ava' last='Spratt'] is also a solid perimeter shooter.   What could go wrong?   The Wolverines lack a true lead guard. They've made do with Fenske taking the ball up the floor, but that's their kryptonite.   Menasha   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The surprise of the regional rounds was Menasha beating the road at No. 1 Beaver Dam. [player_tooltip player_id='891648' first='Aria' last='Bilke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='914331' first='Hannah' last='Neubert'] set the physical tone for Menasha. They will try to junk things up and make it a low-possession game.   What could go wrong?   The Bluejays guard play without [player_tooltip player_id='636285' first='Rayanna' last='Jenkins'] may catch up to them, especially against West De Pere.   Sectional 3   West Salem   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='448247' first='Megan' last='Johnson'] has had explosive performances in Sectionals, and the Panthers have been to the state in the last two seasons. The experience is there, and they won't flinch in against pressure.   What could go wrong?   A possible matchup with Edgewood is challenging because they don't have the guards to contain elite guard play.   DeForest   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Norskies are as structured as always, and DeForest will give themselves chances by creating good looks all over the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='842268' first='Jordyn' last='Derlein'] can make some shots, and [player_tooltip player_id='914978' first='Alexis' last='Accuardi'] can control the area around the basket.   What could go wrong?   Teams that can create turnovers by flying around the court on the defensive could generate some live-ball turnovers and fast breaks. The Norskie offense isn't a high-powered one.   Edgewood   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   We saw what makes this group elite a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='764918' first='Anna' last='Miller'] can control the tempo, [player_tooltip player_id='914983' first='Beanie' last='Thompson'] will win all her 50/50 balls, [player_tooltip player_id='914305' first='Erin' last='Schauer'] has a knack for making plays when the lights are at their brightest, forward [player_tooltip player_id='995775' first='Maren' last='Schmotzer'] has shown her best self these past few months, and their depth is legit.   What could go wrong?   The Crusaders' overall perimeter shooting is a concern for this group. However, Edgewood had their best shooting night of the season and earned a statement win without [player_tooltip player_id='764918' first='Anna' last='Miller'].   Stoughton   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='401056' first='Ella' last='Hamacher'] has aided this team through a challenging regional and has been their do-it-all leader for a few seasons. Her effort levels never drop, and she'll compete with anyone. Their depth has also made plays this past week to get them to this point.   What could go wrong?   The guard play will be an issue when locking horns with an elite backcourt like Edgewood.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 4</h2>   Wauwatosa East   Reasons they could make a trip to the state tournament.   The Red Raiders boast one of the top backcourts in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='400915' first='Mikaia' last='Litza'], [player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close'], [player_tooltip player_id='454966' first='Ellie' last='Deprey'], and [player_tooltip player_id='509715' first='Sadie' last='Kubacki'] are a balanced stable of kids who can make plays on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='528123' first='Makenzie' last='Hawk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='766594' first='Audrey' last='Sellinger'] add some physicality to the frontcourt with athleticism, but Sellinger is the glue kid of this unit.   What could go wrong?   Teams who can match them at the point of attack and go toe-to-toe with the Tosa East backcourt may be able to force some turnovers and steal some transition baskets.   Whitefish Bay   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   Nobody in D2 plays as frantic as the Blue Dukes. At any time, Whitefish Bay can overwhelm opposing guards with pressure and generate easy baskets in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='751283' first='Rowan' last='Counsell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='751268' first='Madeline' last='Volpe'] can score from the perimeter in volume. [player_tooltip player_id='751252' first='Carrington' last='Balthasar'], [player_tooltip player_id='509716' first='Sage' last='Miskel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='751282' first='Rose' last='Mussoline'] can all handle and create for others.   What could go wrong?   Defending size has been an issue. Anyone who can play through the post or has a forward who can rebound could cause problems for the Blue Dukes.   Union Grove   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   The Broncos have a formula that works. Playing through UW-Parkside commit [player_tooltip player_id='995793' first='Samantha' last='Hafferkamp'] has worked the last two seasons and earned them a trip to a Sectional Final game a year ago. It'll be more of the same for Union Grove.   What could go wrong?   A team with athletic guards and wings who can stay in front of Hafferkamp will force them to look for offense elsewhere, which may not go well.   Whitnall   Reasons they could go to the state tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='654832' first='Riley' last='Ward'] played her best basketball as a junior and has been a kid who can attack off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='489577' first='Ella' last='Koch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='529688' first='Amari' last='Ogleton'] have controlled the boards every game, allowing them to close out defensive possessions and earn extra possessions on the offensive end.   What could go wrong?   The talent level of some of the top teams in D2 may overwhelm the Falcons. The guards, outside of Ward, can also be inconsistent.

Over the next two days, we'll break down each sectional in every division and discuss what has to go right for each team to reach the Resch Center and what could hold them back from hoisting a Sectional Championship plaque on Saturday. We'll discuss D1 and D2 today and wrap it up tomorrow with the small schools.