State Tournament Preview: Division 3
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MADISON, Wis. — Who will take home the gold ball in Division 3? Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a closer look at the four finalists. NO. 1 WEST SALEM vs. NO. 4 MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE – 1:35 P.M. West Salem…
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Continue ReadingMADISON, Wis. — Who will take home the gold ball in Division 3? Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a closer look at the four finalists.
NO. 1 WEST SALEM vs. NO. 4 MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE – 1:35 P.M.
West Salem has been the favorite all year since reaching the state title game in 2021-22. However, this could be a very difficult test against a MAS squad that’s peaking right now.
The Novas, top to bottom, have more talent than anyone in this field. It’s just very young. Sophomore forward Devin Brown Devin Brown 6'7" | PF Milwaukee Academy Of Science | 2025 State #196 Nation WI (21.7 ppg) and sophomore guard Jamarion Batemon Jamarion Batemon 6'3" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2025 State #174 Nation WI (20.6 ppg) lead a deep, talented, and athletic lineup. MAS can play 36 minutes of organized chaos as well, picking up full court and just wearing teams down. The Novas are 18-6 overall, played a loaded schedule, and head to Madison having won 13 of their last 14 with the lone loss coming to D2 favorites Pewaukee.
The Panthers are 27-1, including 26-0 against Wisconsin foes. Seniors Carson Koepnick Carson Koepnick 6'2" | SG West Salem | 2023 State WI (15.3 ppg) and Peter Lattos Peter Lattos 6'5" | SF West Salem | 2023 State WI (14.6 ppg) lead an experienced, unselfish group that has unfinished business. The x-factor, junior Tamarrien Henderson (10.2 ppg) is a two-way player that might be the team’s best prospect.
NO. 2 BRILLION vs. NO. 3 LAKESIDE LUTHERAN
Speaking of unfinished business, Brillion was a state qualifier last season as well, falling to West Salem in the semifinals. For most of the season, the Tigers were neck and neck with the Panthers for the No. 1 spot in Division 3, going 27-1 overall.
Wofford commit Jeremy Lorenz Jeremy Lorenz 6'8" | PF Brillion | 2023 State WI (21.1 ppg) is the best player and toughest matchup in this field. The 6-foot-8 forward is a versatile prospect who can step away and shoot the ball or handle it on the perimeter. Brillion has some good depth too in the form of junior forward Grady Geiger Grady Geiger 6'6" | PF Brillion | 2024 State WI (11.9 ppg), senior guard Caeden Holly Caeden Holly 5'11" | PG Brillion | 2023 State WI (9.4 ppg), and senior guard Parker Braun (9.1 ppg) who were all big parts of last season’s squad as well.
If Lakeside Lutheran is going to pull off this upset, they’re going to need Levi Birkholz Levi Birkholz 5'2" | SG Lakeside Luthersn | 2023 State #290 Nation WI to be special. The Citadel commit has unique leaping ability and heads to the Kohl Center averaging 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game — all team highs. The Spartans, who went 25-3 thus far, got 20 points or more from Birkholz in all four playoff wins, including a 41-point effort in the sectional finals.
PREDICTIONS
Semifinals
(1) West Salem over (4) Milwaukee Academy of Science
(2) Brillion over (3) Lakeside Lutheran
State Championship
(1) West Salem over (2) Brillion