WIAA Playoff Preview: Division 1 Sectional 2

Evan Flood

February 21, 2023 @ 01:35 PM

It would be a massive upset if anyone but De Pere emerges from this sectional. The favorites to win the gold ball, the Redbirds have been dominant all season, living up to high expectations. Able to come at you in so many ways, De Pere has three Division 1 prospects in its starting lineup -- John Kinziger John Kinziger 6'0" | CG De Pere | 2023 State #257 Nation WI (18.9 ppg), Will Hornseth Will Hornseth 6'8" | PF De Pere | 2024 State #208 Nation WI (16.0 ppg), and Zach Kinziger Zach Kinziger 6'3" | CG De Pere | 2025 State #127 Nation WI (15.2.). In their 23 wins, the Redbirds have won 21 by double digits with only the top two teams in Division 2, Pewaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran, able to hang in there for 36 minutes.

TOP CONTENDERS

(2) Fond du Lac

The biggest surprise team in the state, Fond du Lac went 17-6 and won the Fox Valley Association, coming out of nowhere to do it after going 4-22 in 2021-22. The Cardinals have come back down to earth as of late, dropping three of their last six games, but still won the FVA by two games. Senior guard Jamariea Dalton Jamariea Dalton 6'3" | SG Fond du Lac | 2023 State WI has been outstanding this winter, averaging 21 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game.

(4) Homestead

The Highlanders are a little under-seeded here. Homestead is 18-5 overall and won the North Shore Conference. An experienced group that's played a lot of ball together, the Highlanders also have four players averaging in double figures -- Solomon Garrison Solomon Garrison 5'10" | PG Homestead | 2023 State WI (15.7 ppg), Tim Franks Tim Franks 6'5" | SG Homestead | 2024 State WI (15.1 ppg), Trevor Polite Trevor Polite 6'6" | SF/SG Homestead | 2025 State WI (11.1 ppg), and Chris Djurasovic Chris Djurasovic 6'8" | PF Homestead | 2023 State WI (11.3 ppg). Probably doesn't hurt that they've already seen top seed De Pere as well this season and know what to expect.

DARK HORSE

(7) Marquette

Speaking of under-seeded, perhaps no team got a worse draw from the computers than Marquette. A top 10 ranked squad, the Hilltoppers are 17-5 overall with wins over Wauwatosa West, Catholic Memorial, Sussex Hamilton, and Brookfield Central. Junior wing Nolan Minessale Nolan Minessale 6'5" | SF Marquette | 2024 State WI is putting up huge numbers, going for 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game.