WIAA PLAYOFFS PREVIEW: DIVISION 2 SECTIONAL 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The WIAA boy's basketball playoffs continue this week. Here's a closer look at the field in Division 2 Sectional</strong> <strong>1…</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FAVORITES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2) Onalaska</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hilltoppers finished 18-5 and won a share of the Mississippi Valley Conference. Led by a fantastic duo of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1203029' first='Evan' last='Anderson'] (18.9 ppg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1390114' first='T.J.' last='Stuttley'] (16.0 ppg), this could finally be Onalaska's year to get to Madison. The Hilltoppers have wins over Wauwatosa West, Medford, La Crosse Central, and Waunakee. They also enter March having won 13 of their last 15 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(3) La Crosse Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you think of the D2 state contenders, you almost start with La Crosse Central annually. This could be the last run for the River Hawks, who are led by two seniors, Nick Williams (17.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1022499' first='Bennett' last='Fried'] (16.4 ppg), both of whom were part of last season's runner-up finish. Central is 19-5 overall and split the Mississippi Valley title with Onalaska, beating the Hilltoppers 53-34 in the most recent matchup. After a three-game losing streak in January, the River Hawks have bounced back with 10-straight wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP CONTENDERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(1)Medford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Medford has seen both La Crosse Central and Onalaska this season, falling competitive games. The Raiders ran the table in the Great Northern Conference and finished 20-4 overall. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1024439' first='Logan' last='Baumgartner'] (20.4 ppg) is a load and going to be a handful for any opponent in this sectional. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(1) Fox Valley Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Foxes went 21-3 overall and split the North Eastern Conference crown. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1893305' first='Adam' last='Loberger'] (16.8 ppg) leads the way for FVL, who have won 12-straight games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DARK HORSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(5) Rice Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Getting out of the Big Rivers Conference, which has quietly been among Wisconsin's best leagues as of late, Rice Lake could benefit. A team that's better than its record, the Warriors have beaten a solid Baldwin-Woodville squad and been right there against the likes of Hudson and Eau Claire Memorial, a pair of top seeds in Division 1. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1200577' first='Tyler' last='Orr'] (23.0 ppg) and sophomore Zach Orr (13.4 ppg) can put up points in a hurry and play very well off one another.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PREDICTIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sectional Semifinals</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2) Onalaska over (1) Medford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(3) Mosinee over (1) Fox Valley Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sectional Finals</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2) Onalaska over (3) Mosinee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->