Previewing the Top Sectional Games in Division-One
What are some of the most intriguing sectional games in D-1? #2 Brookfield Central Vs. #3 Brookfield East Both Brookfield East and Brookfield Central were able to pull off two comfortable wins en route to this game. The two teams have…
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Continue ReadingWhat are some of the most intriguing sectional games in D-1?
#2 Brookfield Central Vs. #3 Brookfield East
Both Brookfield East and Brookfield Central were able to pull off two comfortable wins en route to this game. The two teams have also played twice this year. In the first matchup, Brookfield Central coasted to a 60-47 road victory. However, things were different in the second meeting. East won by 11 points when the two schools played on January 22nd.
Both squads also will enter this matchup on impressive hot streaks. Brookfield East has won 11 out of their last 12 games, while Central has been victorious in eight out of their nine contests.
Brookfield East’s Riley Le Tourneau and Brookfield Central’s David Joplin will be the most important matchup in this game. Le Tourneau and Joplin both lead their teams in scoring and the two will likely guard each other. Expect both players to play their best in this high-profile elimination game.
#1 Kimberly Vs. #4 Neenah
In two games against Neenah this year, Kimberly was able to sidestep losing both times. Kimberly took down the Rockets by just three points in both games against Neenah this year.
While the chances of a Neenah victory may seem bleak, don’t count out the Rockets. Max Klesmit is playing as good as any guard in the state, and the players surrounding him have done more than enough to make Neenah a serious contender.
Kimberly also has some players that are more than ready for the big stage. The trio of Jake Buchanan, Reed Miller, and Levi Nienhaus-Borchert have proven to one of the best trios that the state of Wisconsin has to offer. The three players are combining for 48.3 points per game.
Expect this Neenah-Kimberly tilt to be just as interesting and entertaining as the first two were.
#8 Racine Horlick Vs. #4 Sun Prairie
Racine Horlick shocked #1 Madison East in the regional finals, taking down East by a final score of 74-67. In their upset win, Marquise Milton poured in a game-high 34 points and led his squad to the surprising victory.
Sun Prairie had a less dramatic path to this game. The Cardinals picked up a convincing win over Verona Area, then beat Madison Memorial by two points.
In order for Racine Horlick to get another upset win, Marquise Milton can be nothing short of spectacular. Milton is leading his team in scoring with 27 points per game.
On the other hand, Sun Prairie was forced to replace their top three leading scorers from last season. Jalen Johnson, who led the Cardinals in scoring last year, transferred to Nicolet. Sun Prairie’s second and third leading scorers both graduated.
Because they lost so much from last year, Sun Prairie is very dependent on their depth. The Cardinals have eight players who are scoring over five points per game. This includes their two leading scorers. Brock Voigt and Delaware Hale are both scoring over 15 points per game.
Neither team was able to earn a top-three seed, but both Sun Prairie and Racine Horlick now have a shot to make an unexpected trip to the Kohl Center.
#1 Sussex Hamilton Vs. #5 Homestead
Behind 2021 standout Patrick Baldwin Jr., Sussex Hamilton has had a fantastic season. The Chargers have four total losses on the year, but just two of them have come against Wisconsin opponents. Sussex Hamilton’s challenger has quietly had a surprisingly good year. After having a mediocre 2017-18 season, Homestead has tallied 20 wins and lost just four games.
Plenty of ink has been spilled about how brilliant of a season Patrick Baldwin Jr. is having, but Baldwin has had more than enough help. Carson Smith, Tanner Resch, Tyler Ellingson, and J.T Hoytink are all scoring over eight points per game. Baldwin will fill up the stands, but Hamilton’s role players will win games.
Homestead’s Ryan Waddell will need to play well in order for the Highlanders to pull off this upset. The senior guard is coming off a 31 point performance that came in a win against Arrowhead. Waddell is the nucules for Homestead. When he is playing well, so are the Highlanders.
In playoff basketball, no team is a lock to advance to the next round. Homestead is very capable of playing with Wisconsin’s best. Expect the Highlanders to give Hamilton a run for their money.