Predicted Division 5 regional champions

Ben Ross (front) of Alma Center Lincoln and Cam Schurck (back) of Pacelli.

Mark Miller February 26, 2025 @ 01:12 PM

The WIAA Division 5 playoffs get underway next Tuesday with regional quarterfinal games all over the state. The regional semifinals are scheduled for March 7 with the regional finals on March 8. Here's a quick look at my projected regional champions in each sectional.   SECTIONAL 1 No. 1 seed (top half) Turtle Lake (17-4) -- Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2406762' first='Brandon' last='Wagner'] (6-6) is a consistent double/double performer for the Lakers. No. 2 seed (top half) Spring Valley (17-5) -- Opponents in the respected Dunn-St. Croix Conference have prepared Spring Valley well for post season. No. 4 seed (bottom half) Rib Lake (17-6) -- Run away champions of Marawood North Conference also boast a double/double performer in improved junior [player_tooltip player_id='2629220' first='Jed' last='Henderson'] (6-5). No. 3 seed (bottom half) Owen-Withee (18-5) -- Coach Russ Weiler's squad tied Columbus Catholic for title in Eastern Cloverbelt Conference. SECTIONAL 2 No. 1 seed (top half) Almond-Bancroft (19-5) -- Two-time defending Central Wisconsin South Conference champions boast one of the state's most productive post players in 6-foot-7 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1544739' first='Ayden' last='Phillips']. No. 2 seed (top half) Pacelli (17-6) -- Cardinals got the No. 2 seed with an inferior record to third-seed Tigerton (21-1), but Pacelli played a far more difficult schedule. No. 1 seed (bottom half) Sheboygan Lutheran (19-4) -- Crusaders finished in a three-way deadlock for first place in the Big East South Conference along with Division 3 Oostburg and Division 4 Kohler. This team is battle tested, to say the least. No. 6 seed (bottom half) Elkhart Lake (14-10) -- Resorters' non-league schedule was not strong, but they were tested night in and night out in the Big East North Conference. That rugged competition against a bunch of Division 4 schools will pay off in the post season. SECTIONAL 3 No. 1 seed (top half) Cochrane-Fountain City (21-2) -- Pirates take an undefeated Dairyland Conference mark into regular-season finale Thursday at dangerous Alma Center Lincoln. No. 3 seed (top half) Alma Center Lincoln (18-5) -- The Hornets will likely enter a "hornet's nest" in a potential regional final at defending Division 5 state champion Columbus Catholic. It won't be easy, but I like senior [player_tooltip player_id='2417878' first='Jace' last='Paul'] and Co. to come out with a hard-earned win and advance to sectionals. No. 5 seed (bottom half) River Ridge (21-2) -- The Timberwolves were seeded a bit low in this difficult half of the sectional. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2501092' first='Brandon' last='Davis'] (5-11) leads a talented cast hungry to prove they are better than a fifth seed. No. 2 seed (bottom half) Royall (24-0) -- This team has the potential to win a state championship as is led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2426884' first='Carter' last='Uppena'] (6-2) and Landon Lipske (6-7). SECTIONAL 4 No. 1 seed (top half) Southwestern (18-5) -- Only losses have come to Mineral Point, Darlington (twice), Potosi and Cuba City. Also handed Mineral Point its lone loss of the season. No. 2 seed (top half) Abundant Life Christian (17-6) -- Defending sectional champions can get no less than a of share the Trailways South Conference title with a win Thursday over Parkview. No. 1 seed (bottom half) Cambria-Friesland (18-5) -- The Hilltoppers finished below both Pardeeville and Fall River in the Trailways West Conference standings, but have the best team in this regional and figure to advance to sectional play. No. 2 seed (bottom half) Oakfield (16-7) -- The Trailways East Conference champions have won eight of their past nine outings and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2637722' first='Mitchell' last='Moser'] (5-9) recently surpassed 1,000 career points.

The WIAA Division 5 playoffs get underway next Tuesday with regional quarterfinal games all over the state. The regional semifinals are scheduled for March 7 with the regional finals on March 8. Here's a quick look at my projected regional champions in each sectional.