WIAA Playoffs Preview: Division 2 Sectional 3
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The WIAA boy’s basketball playoffs continue this week. Here’s a closer look at the field in Division 2 Sectional 3… THE FAVORITES (1) Westosha Central Losing a bunch of starters, including a Division 1 guard, Westosha Central was not supposed…
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Continue ReadingThe WIAA boy’s basketball playoffs continue this week. Here’s a closer look at the field in Division 2 Sectional 3…
THE FAVORITES
(1) Westosha Central
Losing a bunch of starters, including a Division 1 guard, Westosha Central was not supposed be a state tournament contender this season. Yet somehow, the Falcons have somehow gotten better from last season’s 25-3 squad. The Southern Lakes champs went 21-2 and haven’t dropped a game since Dec. 16. Central is also the only team to defeat D3 title contender Racine St. Catherine’s. Led by sophomore guard Elijah Griffin Elijah Griffin 6'1" | PG Westosha Central | 2025 State #352 Nation WI , who is averaging 13 points and eight assists per game, the Falcons are riding a 16-game winning streak heading into March.
(2) Whitnall
At 20-3 overall, the Falcons won the Woodland East. This was supposed to be somewhat of a rebuilding year, but Whitnall has been far ahead of schedule. The guard-play on this team has been fantastic, headlined by sophomore Jack Lutz Jack Lutz 6'0" | SG Whitnall | 2025 State WI (16.7 ppg) and senior Austin Herro Austin Herro 6'2" | CG Whitnall | 2023 State WI (14.6 ppg). Of their three losses, the Falcons have lost two of them while not at full strength.
TOP CONTENDERS
(1) McFarland
The Spartans rolled to a Rock Valley Conference title, finishing 21-3 overall. Senior wing Dadon Gillen (18.1 ppg) has gone a bit unnoticed with his breakout season, adding to what’s a very solid core that features senior Deven Kulp Deven Kulp 6'2" | CG Mcfarland | 2023 State WI (15.6 ppg), senior Aidan Chislom Aidan Chislom 6'5" | SF McFarland | 2023 State WI (15.5 ppg), and junior Andrew Kelley Andrew Kelley 6'1" | PG McFarland | 2024 State WI (8.3 ppg). McFarland has won seven-straight games and have knocked off the likes of Oregon and Turner (twice).
(2) Stoughton
The Vikings finished second in the Badger East conference. Junior guards Ty Fernholz Ty Fernholz 6'2" | SG Stoughton | 2024 State WI (20.2 ppg) and Sawyer Schipper Sawyer Schipper 6'1" | SG Stoughton | 2024 State WI (13.3 ppg) lead an excellent backcourt. Stoughton has been right there in some high level games, falling to Waunakee, Middleton, and Newman Catholic.
DARK HORSE
(3) Burlington
Think you could possibly move these guys up into the top contenders category. For a large chunk of the season, Burlington was looking like the 1-seed in this region. The Demons finished 19-5 overall and one game back of Westosha Central for the Southern Lakes title. Following a three-game losing streak, Burlington has bounced back to win four-straight heading into the playoffs. Senior J.R. Lukenbill J.R. Lukenbill 6'4" | SG Burlington | 2023 State WI (17.3 ppg) and junior Connor Roffers Connor Roffers 6'5" | SF Burlington | 2024 State WI (16.5 ppg) make up arguably the best duo in this sectional.
PREDICTIONS
Sectional Semifinals
(2) Stoughton over (1) McFarland
(2) Whitnall over (1) Westosha Central
Sectional Finals
(2)Whitnall over (2)Stoughton