X-Factors To Watch In D1 Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff brackets have released with regional games getting kicked off next week! I'll be taking a look at a few x-factors on teams seeded 8-18 who could help their team put together a run in the playoffs. Stats via wissports.net</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561908"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Though just a freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'] is leading North in scoring and rebounding, and while playing in the Fox Valley Association he's battle tested. At 6'3 he's able to handle the ball like a guard but has good size on the wing, allowing him to feature in multiple roles for his team. Grant is shooting it at 38% from beyond the arc, and putting up 11.9 ppg on the year. Appleton North comes in as the #12 seed and will match up with #5 seed Marshfield. North hasn't had the best record on the year, but they're putting together some momentum late as they're 4-1 over their last five games with wins over Kimberly, Appleton East, Fond du Lac, and Appleton West.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1203186"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Sticking with Sectional 1, we have another FVA prospect. Appleton East comes in as a #10 seed and will be taking on #7 D.C. Everest. East has a nice blend of size and skill, with [player_tooltip player_id='1203186' first='Tyson' last='Keil'] being among their difference makers. At 6'7 he has rare athleticism at that size, and is a force in transition as he runs the floor better than most bigs and can take flight towards the basket. Tyson scores 10.6 points per game to go along with 6 boards, but he'll also be needed on the defensive end. His size and athleticism could help slow down [player_tooltip player_id='1289040' first='Marcus' last='Hall'], a prolific scoring option at 6'6 for D.C. Everest. If Tyson gets going on both ends, Appleton East has the potential to put together some upsets.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1598988"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1598988' first='Peyton' last='Mckenna'] is the third leading scorer for a balanced Germantown team, and as the #12 seed they'll be taking on #5 seeded Kimberly. His shooting numbers are down this season, but make no mistake, Peyton is a player who can catch fire and light a team up once he gets into a rhythm. He showed that with a 25 point outburst against Kenosha ITA this season, as well as multiple games with 4 3P makes. This team is battle tested playing the the Greater Metro Conference, and if Peyton's shot is falling they'll be a tough out.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1756988"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1756988' first='Anthony' last='Miller'] is another freshman capable of making an impact in the Division One playoffs. Madison Memorial as a #10 seed is questionable to say the least, and they'll face off against a good Brookfield Central team in. Miller has such a dangerous pull-up jumper from three or mid-range, and is very active off the ball. Currently scoring 8.2 ppg, the freshman is pretty consistent, but has had a handful of scoring outbursts against teams like Middleton and Madison La Follette, showing his ability to step up in big games.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1289134"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"You don't find many guys scoring under 3 ppg who impact a game like Weah does. At 6' he's an explosive guard who gets after it defensively, and can run the show on the offensive end. He's always looking to get his teammates involved, is very unselfish, and is good at creating open looks for his shooters with drive and kick passes. Sun Prairie West comes in at a #9 seed and will take on Madison La Follette, a team they beat twice during the regular season. With Weah running the show, Sun Prairie West will be a tough out for anyone.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1039325"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Schmainda missed most of the season, but is back healthy and has Brookfield East picking up steam late. Because their record wasn't the best in his absence, I think people are forgetting about them a bit. They're fresh off a win over Madison La Follette, a game that saw Matt pour in 27 points to lead his team to a win. Schmainda is a knockdown shooter from outside who has to be accounted for at all times, but he's also a very strong guard who can attack the basket and utilize his frame to finish through contact. Brings not only scoring ability, but poise and a high basketball IQ to the floor.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Rico Yarbrough","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Beloit Memorial","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"When you have someone who can put points on the board like Rico, you can never fully count a team out. I know Beloit Memorial doesn't have the best record,  which is why they have the #14 seed, but they've been right there with some very good teams. Rico has had some of the biggest scoring performances of the year with games of 61, 48, 48, and 37. He has a very long frame, a smooth lefty shot from beyond the arc, and above the rim finishing ability.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f774bc2e367"} /-->