State Tournament Preview: Division 1 Sectional 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 WIAA State Tournament tips off on Feb. 27. Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a closer look at Division 1 Sectional 1...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FAVORITE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(1) Marshfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Point guard play will take you deep in March. Marshfield has one of the best floor generals in the state in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1244808' first='Brooks' last='Hinson'] (18.1 ppg). The Tigers also feature top 10 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1973149' first='Chris' last='Pohl'] (15.1 ppg), a versatile forward who can score inside and out. At 21-2 overall, Marshfield won the Wisconsin Valley Conference and beat Division 2 powers Onalaska and Ashwaubenon in non-conference play. This group can buckle down and defend as well, holding 15 opponents to 50 points or less.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1973149"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e23ee47d3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP CONTENDERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2) Stevens Point </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest surprises in the state this season, Stevens Point is currently 20-3 overall with two of those losses coming to top-seed Marshfield. The Panthers also have some impressive non-conference wins over Neenah and Waunakee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(5) Kaukauna</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The preseason favorites in the Fox Valley Association, Kaukauna didn't live up to expectations, but are finding their groove heading into March. At 17-6 overall, the Ghosts have won eight in a row. A deep and experienced lineup, Kaukauna is led by junior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1289073' first='Keegan' last='Van Kauwenberg'] (18.6 ppg), but can get production across the board from the likes of New Hampshire commit [player_tooltip player_id='1141075' first='Jonathan' last='O'Neill'] (14.4 ppg), sophomore center [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'] (14.2 ppg), UW-Superior commit [player_tooltip player_id='1208121' first='Nathan' last='Deprez'] (11.7 ppg) and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1289073"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e23ee4830"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DARK HORSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(6) Neenah</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rockets are playing their best ball at the right time. Neenah is currently on an eight-game winning streak and that includes a victory over Fox Valley Association champion Oshkosh North. St. Leo commit [player_tooltip player_id='1203253' first='Brady' last='Corso'] is one of the most dangerous players in this sectional. The senior guard is posting 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1203253"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e23ee4879"} /--> <!-- 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>(1) Marshfield over (5) Kaukauna</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(6) Neenah over (2) Stevens Point</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sectional Final</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(1) Marshfield over (6) Neenah</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->