Teams to Watch This Postseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, I highlighted some teams who didn't make a run to state last season and could find themselves there this season. Today, we'll highlight some groups who aren't the favorites in their sectionals and have the talent to come out with a sectional title and a trip to the Resch Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Homestead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highlanders are a team on the cusp of making serious noise in D1. Last season, they were young and lost a game they shouldn't have. This season, they've competed with Germantown, who they'll likely see in sectionals, and shown they're ready for that challenge. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='329589' first='Madison' last='Fitzgibbon'], [player_tooltip player_id='448303' first='Grace' last='Zortman'], [player_tooltip player_id='338951' first='Natalie' last='Mueller'], and [player_tooltip player_id='338947' first='Lauren' last='Strifling'] are all dynamic kids who can score from anywhere on the floor. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='209594' first='Katelyn' last='Odem'] isn't afraid of any defensive matchup, and her physical nature of defense plays well in the postseason. They're close and could make a massive statement in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rice Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors have gone through some growing pains early on, but their talent is next level. Eli and [player_tooltip player_id='533077' first='Adaline' last='Sheplee'] are talented, athletic wings who can impose their will on any game, and there isn't anything defenses can do about it. They bring things to the floor that defenses can't simulate or plan for in advance. Their record may not look great, but nobody wants to see this team in their sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Glarus</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Glarner Knights are in a sectional with D4 powerhouse Aquinas, who get the respect they deserve. However, people overlook how good New Glarus has been. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='209591' first='Lindsey' last='Schadewalt'] has been one of the most consistent performers in the state this season, and they have not dropped a game yet. In a one-game elimination setting, Schadewalt has the scoring prowess to knock a team like Aquinas off in sectionals and go to state. They nearly went to state last season if it wasn't for a rough first half against Mineral Point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arrowhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warhawks were one game away from state 12 months ago but dropped a close one to Brookfield East. This season, they have a lot of new faces and are likely, thought of as the third-best team in their sectional behind Verona and Brookfield East. Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='533069' first='Presly' last='Samz'], [player_tooltip player_id='533082' first='Libby' last='Gilmore'], and [player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow'] are winners and have done plenty of it in AAU. They'll be ready for the moment in the playoffs. It also helps that they have senior [player_tooltip player_id='206579' first='Bella' last='Samz'], who has been through this a few times and knows what it'll take to get to the Resch Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->