Way Too Early Predictions: 1A/2A State Tournament Attendees

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"fontSize":"medium"} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size">Over the years, there's always been a clear choice about which programs will make it to the state tournament, but this season I can confidently say... almost every class is up in the air. In my opinion, the playing field is almost even across the board. High level talent and overall depth seem about the same per program, so these predictions are solid guesses with some reasoning behind them. Below are my selections for some teams in both the 1A and 2A classes that could be there in March.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"textAlign":"center","fontSize":"56px"}}} --> <p class="has-text-align-center" style="font-size:56px"><strong>1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MT PULASKI </strong>- <em>Making another trip to the state tournament this year will be more difficult than last year, and a huge reason for that is the roster loss of Alyson Murphy. However, the talent on this team has all the tools to take that next step. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1796676' first='Addison' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1796763' first='Olivia' last='Smith'] will be key in how deep their run goes. Addison will be tasked with a bulk of the scoring load, while Olivia's ability to hustle and play within the system gives them another layer of impact that may not always show up on the stat sheet. Audrey Cooper was their leader in assists last season, and if she can take over the role as a facilitator this year, the scoring could come a little easier with her setting everyone up.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BROWN COUNTY</strong> - <em>The big three on this program are returning ([player_tooltip player_id='1320444' first='Kenzie' last='Kassing'], [player_tooltip player_id='1796675' first='Hope' last='Ingram'] and Magi Henry), and with a team full of players who know how to play with and without the ball, that can only point to another successful season for Brown County. Kenzie takes over as the primary scorer and truly is a two level threat, but has the confidence to extend her range beyond the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='1796675' first='Hope' last='Ingram'] is your X factor in the fact that she can defend and finish around the rim just as well as anyone on the court. Magi knows how to complement both of these players and understands how to make an impact without needing to be the main focal point. With all three returning, Brown County has the right amount of experience and talent to make another deep run this season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ROCKFORD CHRISTIAN</strong> - <em>The Royal Lions will be out a big scoring piece this year, but there are some players on this program who have shown that they can carry the weight of that. [player_tooltip player_id='1796821' first='Josie' last='Becker'] and Jaden Connerly will be key in how much scoring can be done, but Teagan Lawver will be the X factor in my opinion. She's high energy on the boards, and with some work being done in the summer on her offensive game, I'm sure the confidence will translate and she'll be able to add on to the 6 points she was putting up last year. Look for Ava Reese to possible take a leap as well. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"textAlign":"center","fontSize":"56px"}}} --> <p class="has-text-align-center" style="font-size:56px"><strong>2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NASHVILLE -</strong> <em>Nashville is no stranger to the state tournament; they've been down here twice in the past couple of seasons and have brought a state title back home. They'll lose some energy and a bulk of scoring with Emma Behrman graduating, but the big three of [player_tooltip player_id='863111' first='Samantha' last='Brinkmann'], [player_tooltip player_id='863112' first='Summer' last='Brinkmann'], and [player_tooltip player_id='863113' first='Makayla' last='Gajewski'] can do a lot of damage between them. The complementary pieces on this team all play their roles as well, and watching them each time they've been downstate, you realize they all play for each other, which shows no ego and all heart. Wouldn't be surprised to see them finish first this spring.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JOHNSBURG -</strong> <em>Reaching the Sweet Sixteen last year wasn't easy, even with a 14-0 conference record, and they ran into a team clicking at the right time, but that doesn't take anything away from either side. Both [player_tooltip player_id='911247' first='Summer' last='Toussaint'] and [player_tooltip player_id='910407' first='Skye' last='Toussaint'] are big pieces for this team, and their individual success will definitely move the needle on how much winning they can do again this season. They've proved they can make a deep run before, and this could definitely be the year they make it all the way.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ELGIN (ST. EDWARD)</strong> - <em>The energy, competitiveness, and scoring output [player_tooltip player_id='856509' first='Savannah' last='Lynch'] provides for her program are a big reason they were in last year's Final Four. Though they lost a big chunk of their starting five from last season, players like Sarah Gurley and Layne Dawson will be up to make a big leap. Taylor Dawson will be another X factor because she's so present on the boards (4th on the team's stat chart), and can give you some scoring down low as well and isn't afraid to shoot the 3 ball. Looking forward to seeing if they can make this run again.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->