Predicting Division 2 Sectional 4 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>New Berlin Eisenhower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions had a solid season in a challenging Woodland-West Conference, which traditionally has some of the best D2 programs in the state. Eisenhower has an intriguing guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1775861' first='Sophia' last='Hermann'], who came into her own last season and had a productive spring and summer playing grassroots basketball. I also think [player_tooltip player_id='751251' first='Callie' last='Griffith'] can help this team in a more prominent role this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Regional Champions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pius XI</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Popes have a talented group of players back this season and should be one of the most talented programs in D2 and in Wisconsin this winter. [player_tooltip player_id='1319432' first='Chelinda' last='Spector'] was excellent in her junior season and has plenty of confidence heading into her senior season. Lillee and [player_tooltip player_id='1173638' first='Lizzie' last='Jackson'] also found their footing last season and should be one of the better frontcourt duos around Wisconsin. I also like what the rest of the guards, Pius, can roll out like [player_tooltip player_id='1820200' first='Maricella' last='Rivera'], Sydney Tilley, and a debuting Cayle McGowan who missed last season due to injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wisconsin Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings will also have one of the most talented groups around the state regardless of division. Hopefully, Wisco will have a healthy [player_tooltip player_id='879927' first='Londyn' last='Hollins'] for a full season, which will make a massive difference for the program as a whole. There is also plenty of experience among most of the rotational players. [player_tooltip player_id='888379' first='Layla' last='Walz'] has handled herself well against aggressive defenses. [player_tooltip player_id='751248' first='Beth' last='Langebartels'] has developed as well as anyone; [player_tooltip player_id='751277' first='Reese' last='Grudzielanek'] does all the stuff that doesn't show up on box scores and will be crucial if she plays her senior year, and there are plenty of young talented players coming through the ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waterford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines were a young group last winter and had mixed results in Southeast Wisconsin, but they competed against most programs they played. [player_tooltip player_id='877604' first='Sophia' last='Milosh'] is an intriguing young post player who is physical around the basket and can make plays on both ends of the floor. I also like [player_tooltip player_id='888381' first='Kayla' last='Brechtl'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888355' first='Alyson' last='Brechtl'], who had an excellent first season and played winning basketball. I like what this team can bring to the floor and how they play as a unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greenfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hustlin' Hawks have been one of the better teams in the Woodland-East and used to compete well agaisnt the top teams on the other side of the conference. [player_tooltip player_id='751238' first='Armani' last='Tauschek'] has had a productive first three seasons at Greenfield and will be a player her program relies on to get the most out of a potential postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Runner-Up</strong>: Waterford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sectional Champion</strong>: Wisconsin Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->