Division 1 Sectional Finals Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the sectional finals set to take place on Saturday, here is a preview of what's on the line. De Pere looks to cap off an undefeated season with a chance to play in Madison for the gold ball, while Franklin looks to make history with their first ever trip to the state tournament. Reigning state champion Neenah is looking to return and Arrowhead takes on a hungry Milwaukee Hamilton team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 Arrowhead vs #6 Milwaukee Hamilton </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will likely be the best game in Division 1. Arrowhead is 25-2 and has been one of the top teams in state all year. They're led by their trio of [player_tooltip player_id='953945' first='Mac' last='Wrecke'], Austin Villarreal, and [player_tooltip player_id='1142119' first='Bennett' last='Basich']. UW-Green Bay commit [player_tooltip player_id='953945' first='Mac' last='Wrecke'] leads the charge with 20.7 points per game and 2024 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1142119' first='Bennett' last='Basich'] adds 13.7 points per game in the playoffs. Bennett's been sneaky good this year and ranks 9th in the 2024 class. Arrowhead has some good depth, so it'll be interesting to see how they handle Milwaukee Hamilton's pesky defense that's anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='981001' first='Simeon' last='Murchison']. Hamilton is fresh off of two huge wins, as they beat top ranked Waunakee and Middleton in back to back games. Bradley commit [player_tooltip player_id='1138463' first='Demarion' last='Burch'] has been on a tear lately scoring 44, 42, and 18 points in his three playoff games. Unfortunately, I think Arrowhead is too deep and edges Milwaukee Hamilton in a nail-biter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 De Pere vs #7 Marquette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some may be surprised to see a 7 seed playing for the sectional championship, but Marquette's been great all year and deserves to be here. They get to the big stage thanks to incredible play by juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1203205' first='Nolan' last='Minessale'] and TJ Adams. Minessale is a rising prospect that's pouring in 22.9 points per game. His teammate TJ is garnering attention thanks to his sharpshooting abilities and three-point efficiency (42.8%). They'll give De Pere a good fight, but ultimately the 27-0 Redbirds continue their incredible season in Madison. De Pere is another team with a great trio. All three hold Division 1 scholarship offers, with senior [player_tooltip player_id='953943' first='John' last='Kinziger'] committed to Illinois State. Then there's junior [player_tooltip player_id='1193234' first='Will' last='Hornseth'], ranked 4th in Wisconsin's 2024 class, and 5th ranked sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1351717' first='Zach' last='Kinziger']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 Kettle Moraine vs #2 Franklin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm taking the Franklin Sabers in this one. This will be the first trip to the Kohl Center for the Sabers and it's all thanks to [player_tooltip player_id='1200579' first='Will' last='Gardner'] and Alex Mierow. The all-conference guards have been stellar all season. In my previous article, I mentioned that Franklin's path to state depended on their role players stepping up and that's exactly what happened vs Mukwonago. [player_tooltip player_id='1675076' first='Brandon' last='Tilley'] poured in 18 points with a huge second half effort and [player_tooltip player_id='1203054' first='Eli' last='Podoll'] continued his great defensive play, but also added 11 points. Even Brady Clark stepped up and hit a big time three-pointer. Things are clicking for the Sabers and they take on a very beatable Kettle Moraine who's struggled in the playoffs so far. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 Superior vs #6 Neenah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Superior's road to the sectional final was easier than expected thanks to 16 seed Oshkosh West knocking off 1 seed Eau Claire Memorial. Unfortunately, this is where the road ends for them. Reigning state champion Neenah will return to the Kohl Center on the backs of [player_tooltip player_id='963148' first='Cal' last='Klesmit'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1203253' first='Brady' last='Corso']. Cal is the younger brother of Badgers guard Max Klesmit who had a solid first year with the Badgers after transferring from Wofford. [player_tooltip player_id='963148' first='Cal' last='Klesmit'] is the #5 player in Wisconsin's 2023 class and helps Neenah get the job done before taking his talents to UW-Green Bay next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->