WIAA Division 1 Tournament Preview

With less than a week left in the regular season and the WIAA playoffs looming on the horizon, here is a quick look at things to watch for in Division 1.   SECTIONAL 1 The Favorites Appleton North (15-7) Eau Claire Memorial (17-4) Hortonville (15-7) Kaukauna (20-3) Marshfield (17-5) Stevens Point (16-8) Don't Be Surprised If ... A non-Fox Valley Association team finally breaks through and wins Sectional 1. Several teams from the Big Rivers and Wisconsin Valley conferences probably breathed a big sigh of relief on Sunday when the WIAA seeds came out. Why? Because Eau Claire Memorial, Eau Claire North and Hudson of the Big Rivers along with Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau West and D.C. Everest of the Wisconsin Valley, in all likelihood, will not see an opponent from the rugged Fox Valley Association in regional or sectional semifinal play. The winner of the lower half of the bracket almost assuredly will play a FVA opponent in the sectional final, but beating one FVA team in a sectional-final setting at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln is a lot easier than beating multiple opponents from that conference in both regional and sectional play. Sleeper Team Hudson. The second-place team in the Big Rivers Conference and winners of nine of its past 11 outings, Hudson received no better than a No. 10 seed in the WIAA playoffs. That is proof of how difficult this sectional is from top to bottom. The Raiders aren't a big team, but they have quickness, multiple shooters and experience. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1544741' first='Tyler' last='Lessard'] (6-3) is the Raiders' top player as the three-year starter is averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. The Minnesota State-Mankato football recruit went off for seven three-point baskets in a recent victory over River Falls. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2620374' first='Sam' last='Swavely'] (6-0), also a two-year regular for coach Brent Larson, contributes 10.2 ppg while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2811755' first='Jace' last='Mataczynski'] (6-2) has moved into a starting role and excelled, averaging 14.2 ppg. All-Sectional Teams First Team [player_tooltip player_id='1289073' first='Keegan' last='Van Kauwenberg'], 6-3, Sr., Kaukauna [player_tooltip player_id='1244808' first='Brooks' last='Hinson'], 6-2, Sr., Marshfield [player_tooltip player_id='1481178' first='Cooper' last='Jesperson'], 6-4, Sr., Eau Claire Memorial [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], 6-9, Jr., Kaukauna [player_tooltip player_id='2045262' first='Calvin' last='Anderson'], 6-6, Jr., Superior Second-Team [player_tooltip player_id='1561939' first='Ethan' last='Joling'], 6-6, Jr., Hortonville [player_tooltip player_id='1544741' first='Tyler' last='Lessard'], 6-3, Sr., Hudson [player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'], 6-2, Jr., Appleton North [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'], 6-4, Jr., Appleton North [player_tooltip player_id='2316806' first='Grant' last='Chandonais'], 6-5, Sr., Stevens Point SECTIONAL 2 The Favorites Brookfield East (15-8) De Pere (22-1) Fond du Lac (17-6) Homestead (18-5) Pewaukee (14-9) Sheboygan North (16-7) Don't Be Surprised If ... De Pere runs into some familiar post-season foes over the next couple of weeks. A year ago, De Pere came into the playoffs with a 23-1 record and expectations of perhaps repeating as WIAA Division 1 state champions. The trek to Madison was very difficult, though, for coach Brian Winchester's squad. After convincing regional wins over Green Bay Preble and Fond du Lac, the Redbirds survived 59-58 over Homestead in double overtime in a sectional semifinal before falling to Arrowhead 85-80 in the sectional final. The road to the Kohl Center could look very similar this time around. De Pere will host either Oshkosh West or Manitowoc Lincoln in a regional semifinal before potentially locking horns with a suddenly hot Arrowhead squad in the regional finals. Of course, Arrowhead would have to beat a good Germantown squad in order for that rematch to happen, no given by any means. Down the road, De Pere also could square off again with Homestead, the highest seeded team on the lower half of the bracket. Sleeper Team Oshkosh North. The Spartans are healthy, have gained confidence and boast perhaps the best player in the state in 6-foot-6 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell']. That's a recipe for success once the playoffs roll around. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'] (6-7) missed the first 17 games of the year with an injury, but the lanky, active and athletic forward is back now and playing well for the Spartans. Ott's presence gives coach Brad Weber tremendous length as Mitchell, Ott, junior [player_tooltip player_id='2498969' first='Owen' last='Weber'] (6-7) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2397160' first='Stefan' last='Stojilovic'] (6-7) all play major roles for Oshkosh North. Although Oshkosh North has sustained nine losses, the mental state of the team appears strong, especially after impressive recent wins over Fond du Lac, Neenah, Kimberly and Hortonville. And with Mitchell, who is averaging 35.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists, as a trump card, don't count out the Spartans in March. All-Sectional Teams First Team [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'], 6-6, Sr., Oshkosh North [player_tooltip player_id='1351717' first='Zach' last='Kinziger'], 6-3, Sr., De Pere [player_tooltip player_id='1908410' first='Pryce' last='Gregoire'], 6-7, Sr., De Pere [player_tooltip player_id='1435902' first='Trevor' last='Polite'], 6-6, Sr., Homestead [player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'], 6-8, Sr., Pewaukee Second Team [player_tooltip player_id='2392418' first='Marvin' last='Haslett III'], 6-0, Sr., Fond du Lac [player_tooltip player_id='2116495' first='Cahlil' last='Jones'], 6-2, Jr., Germantown [player_tooltip player_id='1428204' first='Roan' last='Demovsky'], 6-2, Sr., De Pere [player_tooltip player_id='1853686' first='Cale' last='Buboltz'], 6-2, Sr., Sheboygan North [player_tooltip player_id='2388792' first='AJ' last='Ohrmundt'], 6-7, Sr., Arrowhead SECTIONAL 3 The Favorites Kettle Moraine (23-0) Madison Memorial (17-6) Sun Prairie East (17-6) Sun Prairie West (14-8) Verona (17-6) Waunakee (18-5) Don't Be Surprised If ... High-scoring Sun Prairie East and defensive minded Kettle Moraine square off in a battle of wills in the sectional semifinals. It would be fascinating to see which style wins out if these two advance past the regional level and meet at Mukwonago in a sectional semifinal on March 13. Kettle Moraine, the lone undefeated Division 1 team in the state, is allowing a mere 47.8 ppg. The Classic Eight Conference champions have held five opponents to 40 points or less this winter. Meanwhile, Sun Prairie East is putting up points in abundance behind the scoring exploits of Arkansas State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1481176' first='Chris' last='Davis Jr.'] (6-5), who is averaging a state-best 36.7 ppg for a team that is putting up an average of 88.9 points a contest. Sleeper Team Janesville Craig. The Cougars have had a good year under first-year head coach Jack Hoag, winning 13 of 23 games to date. Not bad for a team that lost four starters from a year ago when then-coach Ben McCormick guided the program to a 19-9 mark. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2492732' first='Judson' last='Henkel'] (6-8) is the lone returning regular from a year ago and has overcome some injuries to have a solid season for the Cougars. He is averaging 21.5 points to lead Craig. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2422338' first='Nolan' last='Duffy'] (6-6) likely will be football in college, but he's also a heck of a basketball player. He is averaging 12.1 ppg. In the backcourt, Craig gets good production from both sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2452081' first='Keyon'Dre' last='Thornton'] (5-6) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561960' first='Jamar' last='Jenkins Jr']. (6-2). All-Sectional Teams First Team [player_tooltip player_id='1481176' first='Chris' last='Davis Jr.'], 6-5, Sr., Sun Prairie East [player_tooltip player_id='1561889' first='Amare' last='Hereford'], 6-2, Jr., Beloit Memorial [player_tooltip player_id='2045301' first='Vaughn' last='Karvala'], 6-7, Jr., Oregon [player_tooltip player_id='1156904' first='Drew' last='Murphy'], 6-5, Sr., Verona [player_tooltip player_id='1611623' first='Roman' last='Thompson'], 6-5, Sr., Kettle Moraine Second Team [player_tooltip player_id='2042435' first='Kaden' last='MacKenzie'], 6-3, Sr., Waunakee [player_tooltip player_id='2606542' first='Zach' last='Froemming'], 6-4, Sr., Kettle Moraine [player_tooltip player_id='2045266' first='Mikey' last='Wilson'], 6-3, Jr., Madison West [player_tooltip player_id='1481177' first='Tyler' last='Haney'], 6-1, Sr., Sun Prairie West [player_tooltip player_id='2492732' first='Judson' last='Henkel'], 6-8, Sr., Janesville Craig SECTIONAL 4 The Favorites Franklin (15-8) Kenosha Bradford (13-9) Milwaukee King (13-8) Oak Creek (17-6) West Allis Central (17-5) Westosha Central (15-8) Wisconsin Lutheran (21-2) Don't Be Surprised If ... Woodland West powers West Allis Central and Wisconsin Lutheran meet for a third time in the sectional final. Wisconsin Lutheran defeated West Allis Central in league play 87-70 on January 10, but the upstart Bulldogs reversed the outcome a month later on their home court, turning back Wisconsin Lutheran 78-70. The Vikings of Wisconsin Lutheran won the league title, but West Allis Central is playing its best basketball of the season and is led by a dynamic junior in Iowa State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'] (6-4), who is averaging a league-best 24.1 ppg. Coach Dave Mlachnik's squad also has size with 6-foot-10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2411140' first='Kevin' last='Pittman'] in the post. Wisconsin Lutheran, the defending Division 2 state champion, is a balanced team with several players who can get double figures on any given night. The Vikings' best player is 6-foot-6 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'], who leads the team in scoring (22.0 ppg) and is second in rebounding (5.9 rpg). Sleeper Team Marquette. The Hilltoppers were on a roll until dropping contests to Wauwatosa West and Arrowhead last week. Still, Marquette has improved greatly since dropping a 82-46 decision to Wisconsin Lutheran on December 26 at the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout. Marquette is 9-8 since that loss, nothing all that substantial, but not bad for a team that lost all five starters from its Division 1 title team last season. Marquette's path in regionals is very difficult, though, as the Hilltoppers host Milwaukee Hamilton in the regional semifinals before a likely rematch with powerful Wisconsin Lutheran. All-Sectional Teams First Team [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'], 6-5, Jr., West Allis Central [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'], 6-6, Jr., Wisconsin Lutheran [player_tooltip player_id='1289064' first='Elijah' last='Griffin'], 6-2, Sr., Westosha Central [player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie'], 6-6, Soph., Milwaukee King [player_tooltip player_id='2500826' first='Jacob' last='Misslich'], 6-4, Jr., Franklin Second Team [player_tooltip player_id='1485498' first='Isaiah' last='Mellock'], 6-1, Sr., Wisconsin Lutheran [player_tooltip player_id='2411140' first='Kevin' last='Pittman'], 6-10, Jr., West Allis Central [player_tooltip player_id='2423538' first='Daniel' last='Franklin'] IV, 6-3, Sr., Oak Creek [player_tooltip player_id='1874951' first='Andy' last='Sauer'], 6-4, Sr., Kenosha Bradford [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'], 6-8, Soph., Wisconsin Lutheran

With less than a week left in the regular season and the WIAA playoffs looming on the horizon, here is a quick look at things to watch for in Division 1.