WIAA Tournament Preview: Division 1

<p>Preview of the WIAA Division 1 state tournament with predictions on who will bring home the gold ball...</p> <p><strong>FAVORITES</strong></p> <p><strong>(1) Brookfield Central (21-1)</strong></p> <p>The defending Division 1 state champions won the Greater Metro Conference and swept preseason No. 1 Sussex Hamilton.  Junior forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-joplin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-joplin/">David Joplin</a></a> is having a tremendous season, posting 23.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. The Lancers are loaded with talent, featuring a supporting case of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-nau/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-nau/">Ben Nau</a></a> (12.9 ppg), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eric-radisevic/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eric-radisevic/">Eric Radisevic</a></a> (12.9 ppg),  Winona State commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/malik-abdul-wahid/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/malik-abdul-wahid/">Malik Abdul-Wahid</a></a> (11.7 ppg), and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/andrew-rohde/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/andrew-rohde/">Andrew Rohde</a></a> (8.5 ppg).  </p> <p><strong>(1) Racine Case (18-4)</strong></p> <p>One of the state's most improved teams from last season, Racine Case won the  Southeast Conference by three games. Sophomore guards JaKobe Thompson (19.9 ppg) and  Terryon  Brumby (14.0 ppg) have been a lethal backcourt pair this season. They'll benefit from a weaker sectional as the Eagles were trounced by Sussex Hamilton 99-64 in their regular season finale.</p> <p><strong>(1) Kimberly (19-3)</strong></p> <p>The Papermakers probably have a bad taste in their mouths after failing to reach the state tournament last season.  Winning the Fox Valley Association for the second-straight season, Kimberly is getting  18.9 points and 4.5 assists per game from senior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jake-buchanan/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jake-buchanan/">Jake Buchanan</a></a>, a Rockhurst commit. UW-Platteville commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/logan-pearson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/logan-pearson/">Logan Pearson</a></a> (13.8 ppg) and sophomore guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-paveletzke/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-paveletzke/">Jackson Paveletzke</a></a> (13.5 ppg) are having breakout seasons, while  junior forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grant-asman/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grant-asman/">Grant Asman</a></a> (9.4 ppg) could be the x-factor for this team if they're going to make it to Madison. </p> <p><strong>(1) Madison LaFollette (20-1)</strong></p> <p>The only team standing between Brookfield Central and a perfect record, La Follette won the Big Eight Conference and  were a double-overtime loss  to Madison East away from a perfect regular season themselves. One of the biggest surprises in the state, the Lancers  have a guard-oriented lineup  that thrives on generating backcourt pressure and creating turnovers. Seniors  <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-stewart/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-stewart/">Isaiah Stewart</a></a> (15.8 ppg), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-probst/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-probst/">Ben Probst</a></a> (15.5 ppg), and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/derek-gray/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/derek-gray/">Derek Gray</a></a> (14.0 ppg) lead the way for La Follette.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>NEXT IN LINE</strong></p> <p><strong>(2) Sussex Hamilton (19-3)</strong></p> <p>The Chargers only lost to one team within the state of Wisconsin all season and that was Brookfield Central.  Hamilton also has key wins over Kimberly, Brookfield East, East Troy, and Racine Case -- four other state contenders.  The best pure scorer in the state, junior wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/patrick-baldwin-jr/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/patrick-baldwin-jr/">Patrick Baldwin Jr.</a></a> averaged 24.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this season. Baldwin has plenty of shooters around him as well, including <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tanner-resch/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tanner-resch/">Tanner Resch</a></a> (15.1 ppg) and  <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-smith/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-smith/">Carson Smith</a></a> (14.9 ppg). </p> <p>(<strong>2) Neenah (20-2)</strong></p> <p>One of the hottest teams in the state, the Rockets won their final 11 games of the season, including a  71-49 stomping of top seed Kimberly.  Wofford commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-klesmit/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-klesmit/">Max Klesmit</a></a> (26.1 ppg)  looks to lead Neenah back to the state tournament for the second-straight season.  Should the Rockets get to the sectional finals, they'll likely get the Papermakers, who they knocked out of last year's tournament as well. </p> <p><strong>(2) Madison East (17-4)</strong></p> <p>The Purgolders have to be feeling good after taking down top seed and Big Eight champion LaFollette. East won its final 11 games of the season against in-state foes. Seniors <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-washington/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-washington/">Anthony Washington</a></a> (16.2 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keonte-jones/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keonte-jones/">Keonte Jones</a></a> (14.5) form one of the more athletic wing combos in the state. Junior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jevan-boyton/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jevan-boyton/">Jevan Boyton</a></a> could be the x-factor for the Purgolders if they're going to reach the Kohl Center.</p> <p><strong>(3) Arrowhead (21-1)</strong></p> <p>The Classic Eight champs are a huge victim of a loaded sectional that features Brookfield Central, Sussex Hamilton,  undefeated Milwaukee King, and Brookfield East.  One of the top three contenders for Mr. Basketball, Wisconsin commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carter-gilmore/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carter-gilmore/">Carter Gilmore</a></a> is averaging  25.8 points per game as a senior.  The Warhawks' only loss this season came at the hands of Brookfield Central.</p> <p><strong>(4) Milwaukee King (21-0)</strong></p> <p>Speaking of victims of a loaded sectional, the Generals are unbeaten, won the City Conference, and were granted a 4-seed. Junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quinton-murrell/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quinton-murrell/">Quinton Murrell</a></a> (18.4 ppg) had a fantastic breakout year.  King hasn't been overly battle-tested this season, but does have wins over Milwaukee Academy of Science, Whitefish Bay, and Milwaukee Bay View. Of their 21 victories, 20 came by double-digits.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>DARKHORSE TEAMS</strong></p> <p><strong>(3) Chippewa Falls (17-5)</strong></p> <p>The Big Rivers Confernece champs won nine of thier final 10 games, with the one loss coming by one point on the road to River Falls. Junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joe-reuter/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/joe-reuter/">Joe Reuter</a></a> (17.0 ppg) and senior wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/peyton-rogers-schmidt/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/peyton-rogers-schmidt/">Peyton Rogers-Schmidt</a></a> (16.9 ppg) will make Chippewa Falls a tough out in March.</p> <p><strong>(3) West Allis Central (14-8)</strong></p> <p>The Bulldogs haven't reached their full potential yet, but have showed some signs with wins over Pewaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran. Central reached the Kohl Center last season rather unexpectedly. Senior forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shilo-bowles/">Shilo Bowles</a> (18.2 ppg) will look to end his career on a high note.</p> <p><strong>(4) Sun Prairie (16-6)</strong></p> <p>You don't count out Jeff Boos and Sun Prairie come tournament time. The Cardinals faded a bit down the stretch, finishing tied for third in the Big Eight Conferece, but this is a group with state tournament experience, led by senior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/collin-schaefer/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/collin-schaefer/">Colin Schaefer</a></a> (17.8 ppg), who's playing outstanding basketball. </p> <p><strong>(4) Eau Claire North (15-7)</strong></p> <p>If you have <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dalton-banks/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dalton-banks/">Dalton Banks</a></a>, you have a chance. The Southern Illinois commit put up 24.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game during the regular season. The Huskies finished third in a very good Big Rivers Conference.</p> <p><strong>(5) Brookfield East (18-4)</strong></p> <p>Can the Spartans win the Division 1 state tournament? Probably not. But can they beat anyone on any given night? Absolutely.  Only two teams, Brookfield Central and Sussex Hamilton, beat East all season.  A blue-collar program that doesn't beat themselves,  the Spartans get high-IQ, winning basketball from <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hayden-doyle/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hayden-doyle/">Hayden Doyle</a></a> (20.5 ppg),  <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-mcgath/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-mcgath/">Sam McGath</a></a> (15.9 ppg), and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-poker/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-poker/">Michael Poker</a></a> (14.4 ppg). </p> <p><strong>(5) Waunakee (17-5)</strong></p> <p>Waunakee's biggest advantage is that they haven't faced most of the teams in their sectional. The Warriors are going to come in  without their opponents having a real feel for them. Waunakee doesn't have stars, but they have a balanced, unselfish lineup who can all shoot 3's and will put you in a fistfight for 36 minutes. Don't be surprised if the Badger North champs wreck sectional 3.</p> <p>Others: Kenosha Tremper (2), Kenosha Bradford (4), Hudson (5), Madison Memorial (5), Bay Port (6),  Oconomowoc (6), Marquette (6)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PREDICTIONS</strong></p> <p><strong>SECTIONAL FINALS</strong></p> <p>(1) Kimberly over (2) Neenah</p> <p>I know the Rockets are hot. I know Neenah trounced Kimberly in the last meeting. I just think the Papermakers are too good to be denied two years in a row. When this team locks in, they can absolutely explode offensively. </p> <p>(1) Brookfield Central over (2) Sussex Hamilton</p> <p>Beating any team, let alone a team like Hamilton three times in one season is extremely tough.  The Chargers found that out last season when they swept Central during league play, but were upset by the Lancers in the 2019 sectional final.  However, I think Central is a little deeper and has the luxury of throwing bodies at a guy like Baldwin. </p> <p>(1) Madison La Follette over (5) Madison Memorial</p> <p>Memorial has been extremely close to knocking off Madison East and they very well could pull off the upset to reach a sectional final.   When it comes to someone upsetting La Follette, I'm not sure there's another team that can matchup with this backcourt and really take them out of what they like to do.</p> <p>(1) Racine Case over (3) West Allis Central</p> <p>This is sectional is the weakest in terms of true state title contenders and depth. Case is the one team in this field that's been consistent throrughout the year. I'll ride with them, even though the Eagles are a little young still. </p> <p><strong>State Semifinals</strong></p> <p>(1) Madison La Follette over (4) Racine Case</p> <p>This could be one of the highest-scoring games of the season and these backcourts would absolutely go at each other. Have to take La Follette and their seniors on a big stage with a sizable homecourt advantage playing in Madison.</p> <p>(2) Brookfield Central over (3) Kimberly</p> <p>Kimberly likes to  play small and depend on its guards. I don't know how well that works against a front line of Joplin, Radisevic, and Abdul-Wahid, who also have the mobility to defend on the perimeter. </p> <p><strong>State Championship</strong></p> <p>(2) Brookfield Central over (1) Madison La Follette</p> <p>La Follette smashed Central in the first meeting at the WBY Shootout. The Lancers will be ready this team and rely on the experience of that and last season's state championship game in order to repeat. </p>