WIAA State Tournament Preview: Division 2 Sectional 1
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With the 2024 WIAA State Tournament tipping off this week, Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a closer look at Division 2 Sectional 1… Sectional 1 THE FAVORITE (4) Onalaska This is why you don’t let computers fully dictate seeding. Onalaska might…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2024 WIAA State Tournament tipping off this week, Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a closer look at Division 2 Sectional 1…
Sectional 1
THE FAVORITE
(4) Onalaska
This is why you don’t let computers fully dictate seeding. Onalaska might be 18-6, but they won their league with a perfect 12-0 mark, and played a strong schedule, including a win over 1-seed West Salem — and yet, the Hilltoppers are sitting with a 4-seed. They also have the best player in the region in Evan Anderson Evan Anderson 6'3" | SG Black River Falls | 2024 State WI . Of their six losses, Onalska only dropped games to Division 1 foes or top teams in the state of Minnesota with the exception of Grafton. Fielding one of the state’s top teams for the past x amount of years, this could finally be the year the Hilltoppers break through to Madison.
TOP CONTENDER
(1) West Salem
The runner-up in Division 3 each of the last two seasons, West Salme moves up a level. Despite losing a huge chunk of their core, it was business as usual for the Panthers, who went 21-3 overall and ran through the Coulee Conference. Senior guard Tamarrein Henderson Tamarrein Henderson 6'3" | CG West Salem | 2024 State WI is the straw that stirs the drive, averaging 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game.
Highlights
DARK HORSE
(2) Fox Valley Lutheran
The Foxes went 22-2 overall and won the North Eastern Conference with an 18-0 record. The duo of Adam Loberger Adam Loberger 6'4" | SG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2024 State WI (21.7 ppg) and Sam Ferge Sam Ferge 6'4" | PG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2024 State WI (19.0 ppg) have quietly been one of the best 1-2 punches in the state. FVL was very close to an unbeaten record, falling to Appleton East by six and Xavier, a top team in Division 3, but just three points.
(2) River Falls
River Falls placed third in the always tough Big Rivers Conference. As this league often does, the top teams beat up on each other as the Wildcats went 4-2 against the other top four teams in the Big Rivers, including a sweep of champion Eau Claire Memorial. Falls also has a really good 74-31 win over Prescott. Senior guard Joey Butz Joey Butz 6'1" | SG River Falls | 2024 State WI has had a breakout season, leading the way at 21.2 ppg.
Highlights
PLAYER TO WATCH
Onalaska’s Evan Anderson Evan Anderson 6'3" | SG Black River Falls | 2024 State WI is a tough, athletic, slashing guard who’s averaging 24.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game during his senior season. Committed to South Dakota, Anderson has hit the 300-point mark six times. A prospect that’s really tough to force into jumpers given his length, athletic ability, and body control, Anderson shoots a whopping 62 percent from the field.
Highlights
PLAYER WHO COULD SHAKE THINGS UP
This is quietly a good region. Case and point, Mosinee went 20-4 overall and we didn’t even talk about them at the top. Senior guard Keagen Jirschele may not have ideal height (5-9), but he makes up for it with speed on the ball. Averaging 19.9 points and 6.0 assists per game this season, Jirschele led Mosinee to a share of the Middle Border Conference title, including wins over Xavier, Brillion, and Southern Door — a trio of state contenders in Division 3.
PREDICTIONS
Sectional Semifinals
(2) River Falls over (1) Wausau East
(4) Onalaska over (3) Mosinee
Sectional Final
(4) Onalaska over (2) River Falls