Division 3 Sectional Breakdown & Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Results from my regional final predictions followed by my overall mark in each division:<br><br><strong>Division 1:</strong>&nbsp;11-5 (45-11)<br><strong>Division 2:</strong>&nbsp;12-4 (61-14)<br><strong>Division 3:&nbsp;</strong>6-10 (63-19)<br><strong>Division 4:&nbsp;</strong>13-3 (75-8)<br><strong>Division 5:</strong>&nbsp;15-1 (93-15)<br><em><strong>TOTAL:&nbsp;</strong>57-23 (337-67) (83 percent)</em><br><br>Breakdown and predictions for the sectional semifinals:<br><br><strong>SECTIONAL 1<br><br>Semifinals</strong><br>No. 5 seed Amery (20-7) vs. No. 3 seed Northwestern (19-7) at Altoona, Thursday<br>No. 1 seed Elk Mound (22-4) vs. No. 6 seed Berlin (17-9) at Marshfield, Wednesday<br><br><strong>Amery<br>Coach:</strong>&nbsp;Tom Mackey, 3rd year<br><strong>Record at School:&nbsp;</strong>37-45<br><strong>2024-25 Record:&nbsp;</strong>20-7<br><strong>Middle Border Record:&nbsp;</strong>7-7 (Tied for third place with St. Croix Central)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong>&nbsp;11<br><strong>Results vs. Northwestern:&nbsp;</strong>Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1540033' first='Carter' last='Wollan'] (6-3, Sr., 29.6 ppg, La Crosse recruit)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'] (6-3, Soph., 20.6 ppg)<br>Sam Streich (6-4, Jr., 7.0 ppg)<br>Blake Anderson (6-3, Sr., 5.6 ppg)<br>Alex Siebenaler (5-9, Frosh., 5.4 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1540033' first='Carter' last='Wollan'] is a four-year varsity performer for Amery who has scored more than 2,350 points ... Wollan is a physical guard who can score off the bounce, from the foul line and from outside the three-point arc ... His younger brother, [player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'], is another prolific player who can put big-time points on the board ... [player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'] is closing in on 1,000 career points as just a sophomore ... Amery is averaging 73.6 ppg and has won five in a row after notching regional wins over Ellsworth and Prescott.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northwestern</strong><br><strong>Coach:</strong> Nolan Graff, 7th year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>138-44<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>19-7<br><strong>Heart O'North Record:</strong> 14-4 (Tied for first place with Cumberland)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 13<br><strong>Results vs. Amery:</strong> Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2432837' first='Boden' last='Teal'] (5-9, Sr., 18.7 ppg)<br>Kamden Kroll (6-3, Soph., 15.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2509481' first='Tysen' last='Teal'] (5-10, Soph., 11.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2627944' first='Austin' last='Lahti'] (6-4, Sr., 8.3 ppg)<br>Ethan Harms (6-1, Jr., 7.9 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny: </strong>Northwestern has always been known for putting up a lot of three-point shots and scoring a ton of points ... The Tigers still have a potent offense this season, averaging 70.7 ppg, but they've also relied on a good defense ... Northwestern tied Cumberland for the Heart O'North crown in part by allowing just 59.1 ppg ... [player_tooltip player_id='2432837' first='Boden' last='Teal'], Kamden Kroll and [player_tooltip player_id='2509481' first='Tysen' last='Teal'] are all very good shooters ... Lahti and Harms will have to hold their own in the paint and rebound at a high level in order for the Tigers to advance.<br><br><strong>Prediction:</strong> Northwestern beat Middle Border champion Osceola 65-61 in the regional final while Amery got past long-time power Prescott 47-46. [player_tooltip player_id='1540033' first='Carter' last='Wollan'] will be the best player on the floor in this one, but Northwestern is playing some really good basketball. <em>Northwestern 68, Amery 61</em><br><br><strong>Elk Mound<br>Coach:</strong> Dennis Arneson, 1st year<br><strong>Record at School:</strong> 22-4<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>22-4<br><strong>Dunn-St. Croix Record: </strong>11-3 (Third place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 10<br><strong>Results vs. Berlin:</strong> Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2441467' first='Logan' last='Jerome'] (6-5, Sr., 16.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1554804' first='Cale' last='Knutson'] (5-11, Sr., 13.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2895382' first='Victor' last='Noller'] (6-5, Jr., 12.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2418811' first='Zeb' last='Robinson'] (6-2, Frosh., 9.1 ppg)<br>Kamron Diermeier (5-10, Sr., 6.8 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny:</strong> Elk Mound finished behind Dunn-St. Croix co-champions Spring Valley and Durand-Arkansaw in the final league standings ... Knutson is the team's top three-point shooter while Jerome tops the squad in rebounding ... Jerome picked up first-team all-league honors while Knutson and Noller were second-team picks ... Elk Mound got past Altoona and Stanley-Boyd at the regional level.<br><br><strong>Berlin<br>Coach</strong>: Jeremy Mercer, 4th year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>58-44<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>17-9<br><strong>East Central Record:</strong> 6-6 (Fourth place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 8<br><strong>Results vs. Elk Mound:</strong> Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2387128' first='Hayden' last='Redington'] (6-6, Jr., 17.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492774' first='Aaron' last='Bartol'] (6-4, Sr., 16.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2913732' first='Carter' last='Hess'] (6-0, Jr., 11.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2913773' first='Blake' last='Metoxen'] (5-11, Jr., 7.2 ppg)<br>Ryder Beulen (5-10, Sr., 4.1 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny:</strong> Berlin competes in the competitive East Central Conference with some strong programs, including Waupun, Plymouth and Kettle Moraine Lutheran ... The Indians finished fourth in the league, but have played well of late ... Redington is an inside/outside player with very good strength and athleticism ... Bartol can do a bit of everything and he is very versatile on defense ... Berlin beat Winneconne, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau and Bloomer at the regional level.<br><br><strong>Prediction:</strong> Berlin's strength of schedule might be the difference in this one, although the Dunn-St. Croix is a solid league in its own right. Redington has had a breakout campaign for coach Jeremy Mercer and his ability to score and rebound will be key for Berlin. <em>Berlin 66. Elk Mound 62</em><br><br><strong>SECTIONAL 2<br><br>Semifinals</strong><br>No. 1 seed Freedom (25-1) vs. No. 7 seed Wrightstown (16-11) at Oconto Falls, Thursday<br>No. 5 seed Xavier (21-6) vs. No. 3 seed Little Chute (20-6) at Menasha, Wednesday<br><br><strong>Freedom</strong><br><strong>Coach:</strong> Andrew Gibbons, 2nd year<br><strong>Record at School:</strong> 48-6<br><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 25-1<br><strong>North Eastern Record:</strong> 18-0 (First place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 8<br><strong>Results vs. Wrightstown</strong>: Freedom won both league outings, 66-50 Jan. 17 in Wrightstown and 80-41 Feb. 27 in Freedom.<br><strong>Top Players: </strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] (6-8, Soph., 22.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492814' first='Drew' last='Kortz'] (6-1, Sr., 19.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2724372' first='Kaden' last='Vandenberg'] (6-1, Soph., 11.6 ppg)<br>AJ Wesolowski (6-2, Sr., 6.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2402529' first='Owen' last='Henkel'] (6-2, Frosh., 5.6 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny:</strong> Freedom breezed through its North Eastern Conference schedule without a blemish ... The lone loss on the campaign came at the hands of Division 2 power Slinger, a team Freedom also beat at the start of the season ... Davis owns scholarship offers from Iowa State, Marquette and Wisconsin ... Davis was named Player of the Year in the North Eastern while Kortz joined him on the first team.<br><br><strong>Wrightstown<br>Coach:</strong> Cory Haese, 27th year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>387-263<br><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 16-11<br><strong>North Eastern Record:</strong> 10-8 (Tied for fifth place with Oconto Falls)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 14<br><strong>Results vs. Freedom</strong>: Freedom won both league outings, 66-50 Jan. 17 in Wrightstown and 80-41 Feb. 27 in Freedom.<br><strong>Top Players: </strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381604' first='Ethan' last='Cyra'] (6-0, Sr., 17.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2538797' first='Aiden' last='Humphreys'] (6-1, Sr., 10.9 ppg)<br>Kaden Colwell (6-1, Sr., 10.3 ppg)<br>Jaeden Kittoe (5-10, Sr., 7.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2955660' first='Truman' last='Morschauser'] (6-6, Jr., 5.2 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny:</strong> Wrightstown won three regional games to advance to sectionals ... The Tigers beat visiting Amherst in the quarterfinals before going on the road to beat Wittenberg-Birnamwood in the semifinals and Seymour in the finals in overtime ... Cyra earned unanimous first-team all-North Eastern honors and leads the team with 63 made three-point shots ... Morschauser will have to use his size to help offset the dominance of [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], a tall task to be sure.<br><br><strong>Prediction:</strong> Freedom is one of the favorites to perhaps win the Division 3 state championship, although most figure Milwaukee Academy of Science is the team to beat. Still, the Irish have a lot of firepower, a true high-major Division I prospect in Davis and some stellar senior leadership from Kortz. <em>Freedom 73, Wrightstown 51</em><br><br><strong>Xavier</strong><br><strong>Coach: </strong>Matt Klarner, 14th year<br><strong>Record at School:</strong> 296-72<br><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 21-6<br><strong>Bay Record:</strong> 12-2 (Second place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 12<br><strong>Results vs. Little Chute</strong>: Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2434543' first='Logan' last='Ramczyk'] (6-2, Soph., 20.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2398588' first='Luke' last='Oelhafen'] (6-3, Sr., 15.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2616479' first='Kyler' last='Bleck'] (5-10, Jr., 10.0 ppg)<br>Cole Hietpas (6-3, Sr., 8.9 ppg)<br>Joe Gallucci (6-1, Sr., 6.7 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny:</strong> Xavier rallied from an 11-point deficit with just over seven minutes left to turn back host Laconia in a regional final ... Ramczyk is one of the better sophomores in the state and is averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.8 steals ... Oelhafen has had a strong senior season and can score off post ups in the lane or from outside the three-point arc ... Hietpas provides physical strength and athleticism against bigger opponents while Bleck is a skilled shooter.<br><br><strong>Little Chute</strong><br><strong>Coach</strong>: Jack VanRoy, 7th year<br><strong>Record at School:</strong> 109-64<br><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 20-6<br><strong>North Eastern Record:</strong> 15-3 (Second place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships: </strong>12<br><strong>Results vs. Xavier:</strong> Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1598984' first='Nolan' last='Jakubek'] (6-6, Sr., 13.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2501117' first='Cooper' last='Effa'] (6-2, Jr., 9.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1598960' first='Deyten' last='Magnussen'] (6-0, Sr., 8.5 ppg)<br>Trevor Verhagen (6-0, Soph., 8.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2393072' first='Jacob' last='Verhagen'] (6-1, Sr., 6.2 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny:</strong> In addition to its two losses to Freedom in league play, Little Chute also dropped games to Wausau East, Roncalli, Kohler and Waupaca ... The Mustangs rely heavily on a stingy defense as opponents are averaging just 48.7 ppg ... Little Chute dominated Kiel in the regional final 54-31 as nine different players scored for coach Jake VanRoy ... Jakubek tops the squad in both scoring (13.6 ppg) and rebounding (5.5 rpg). <br><br><strong>Prediction: </strong>Little Chute's zone defense features lots of length and excellent movement, and those two things, along with a tough shooting night, spelled doom for defending sectional champion Kiel in the regional finals. Xavier, on the other hand, averages 74.5 ppg and loves to push the ball, shoot three-pointers and get to the rim. <em>Xavier 65, Little Chute 57</em><br><br><strong>SECTIONAL 3<br><br>Thursday's Semifinals</strong><br>No. 1 seed Platteville (19-7) vs. No. 2 seed Wisconsin Dells (21-5) at Richland Center<br>No. 1 seed Lake Mills (22-4) vs. No. 3 seed Edgerton (23-3) at Fort Atkinson<br><br><strong>Platteville<br>Coach:</strong> Mike Huser, 17th year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>219-189<br><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 19-7<br><strong>Southwestern Wisconsin Record:</strong> 10-0 (First place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 15<br><strong>Results vs. Wisconsin Dells:</strong> Platteville beat Wisconsin Dells 81-67 in Wisconsin Dells on Dec. 5. Click on link <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/12/game-report-platteville-81-wisconsin-dells-67/">here</a> for game report of that contest.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2390176' first='Lucas' last='Ludlum'] (6-3, Sr., 20.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637314' first='Myron' last='Reuter'] (6-0, Jr., 16.0 ppg)<br>Eli Langmeier (6-5, Sr., 8.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637318' first='Nathan' last='Mumm'] (6-2, Sr., 7.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2922012' first='Jauron' last='Blevins'] (5-8, Jr., 6.6 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny: </strong>Ludlum is a player who gets things done on a lot of different levels as he leads Platteville in scoring (20.2 ppg), ranks second in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and tops the squad in assists (3.4 apg) and steals (3.1 spg) ... Ludlum earned Player of the Year honors in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference as a junior and is expected to earn that honor again this time around ... Guard play is a big strength for the Hillmen, who won their third straight league title and have won 29 of 30 conference outings over the past three seasons. <br><br><strong>Wisconsin Dells</strong><br><strong>Coach:</strong> Brad Rohling, 19th year<br><strong>Record at School:</strong> 345-124<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>21-5<br><strong>South Central Record: </strong>9-1 (Tied for first place with Westfield)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships: </strong>20<br><strong>Results vs. Platteville:</strong> Platteville beat Wisconsin Dells 81-67 in Wisconsin Dells on Dec. 5. Click on link <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/12/game-report-platteville-81-wisconsin-dells-67/">here</a> for game report of that contest.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493653' first='Jaren' last='Ward'] (6-8, Sr., 19.8 ppg)<br>Isaiah Hanna-Funmaker (6-3, Sr., 14.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2636721' first='Brady' last='Young'] (6-4, Sr., 13.0 ppg)<br>Corey Hindsley (6-5, Soph., 8.2 ppg)<br>Zion Alwin (6-0, Sr., 4.7 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny: </strong>Wisconsin Dells won yet another South Central Conference championship, their eighth in a row ... Ward is an improved post player who is averaging a double/double at 19.8 ppg and 10.8 rpg ... He is also a shot blocker at 1.1 bspg ... Hanna-Funmaker can create things off the dribble for both himself and his teammates ... Young is probably the best passer and shooter on the squad ... Wisconsin Dells beat Lodi during the regular season and then posted a 50-40 triumph over the Blue Devils in the regional finals to advance to sectionals. <br><br><strong>Prediction: </strong>Two programs that have dominated play in their respective conferences over the past 10 years or so meet in this one, and it figures to be close as each team is playing well. Platteville might have a slight edge with Ludlum on the floor as he does so many positive things on both ends of the court. His awareness, ability to score and solid defense are all big assets. Wisconsin Dells counter with a talented 6-foot-8 post player in Ward, who could control things in the paint and make it difficult for Platteville to get to the basket. <em>Platteville 67, Wisconsin Dells 62</em><br><br><strong>Lake Mills</strong><br><strong>Coach: </strong>Steve Hicklin, 13th year<br><strong>Record at School:</strong> 249-82<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>22-4<br><strong>Capitol North Record: </strong>8-0 (First place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 12<br><strong>Results vs. Edgerton: </strong>Edgerton registered a 61-60 victory over Lake Mills on Feb. 10 in Edgerton.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1412881' first='AJ' last='Bender'] (6-3, Sr., 19.1 ppg, Minnesota State-Mankato recruit)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1745860' first='Brady' last='Benish'] (6-0, Jr., 12.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2346694' first='Tyler' last='Wollin'] (6-4, Soph., 11.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621035' first='Ty' last='Schaefer'] (5-11, Sr., 8.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2819684' first='Tanner' last='Wendorf'] (6-5, Sr., 8.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2253829' first='Ryan' last='Horkan'] (6-1, Sr., 6.7 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny: </strong>Lake Mills took care of business at the regional level and in the process beat rival Lakeside Lutheran for the third time this season ... The L-Cats are led by Bender, a NCAA Division II recruit for Minnesota State-Mankato and a four-year varsity performer ... Bender recently surpassed 2,000 career points and is an athletic wing who can get to the hoop, guard different positions and make some perimeter shots ... Benish is one of the better long-distance shooters in the state and tops the team with 63 made three-point baskets ... Wollin is one of the better all-around athletes in Wisconsin in the 2027 class and is another versatile piece in the L-Cats' potent lineup ... Lake Mills is averaging 73.1 ppg while allowing just 53.3 ppg.<br><br><strong>Edgerton</strong><br><strong>Coach: </strong>Daryl Fox, 9th year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>155-72<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>23-3<br><strong>Rock Valley (Rock Division) Record: </strong>15-0 (First place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 6<br><strong>Results vs. Edgerton: </strong>Edgerton registered a 61-60 victory over Lake Mills on Feb. 10 in Edgerton.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1729222' first='Olin' last='Zellmer'] (6-0, Sr., 19.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561732' first='Bryce' last='Appel'] (6-6, Sr., 14.6 ppg, Wisconsin Lutheran recruit)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2346660' first='Jack' last='Fox'] (6-1, Sr., 12.8 ppg)<br>Vinny Fox (6-0, Soph.)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2731454' first='Eli' last='Kittleson'] (5-9, Soph.)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1908469' first='Cole' last='Langer'] (6-3, Sr.)<br><strong>Skinny: </strong>The Crimson Tide enter their outing with Lake Mills on a 14-game winning streak ... Edgerton beat league-rival Beloit Turner and Midwest Classic Conference champion Lake Country Lutheran at the regional level ... Zellmer is a shifty and creative point guard who can score and set up his teammates ... Appel can score inside or outside and is averaging 8.5 rpg in addition to his 14.6 ppg ... Fox is a skilled wing who can make shots from outside the arc and from the mid range ... Edgerton won the Rock Division title of the Rock Valley Conference for the second year in a row and is hoping to earn a trip to the state tournament for the first time since 1941.<br><br><strong>Prediction: </strong>The Fort Atkinson gym figures to be buzzing when these two Division 3 powers clash on Thursday. Led by two of the better coaches in the state and featuring plenty of outstanding players, this game figures to live up its billing as one of the better in Wisconsin at the sectional semifinal level. Lake Mills might have just a bit more firepower and would be difficult to beat if it plays from ahead. Edgerton, on the other hand, loves to control tempo, work for the best shot possible and defend with purpose. <em>Lake Mills 55, Edgerton 52</em><br><br><strong>SECTIONAL 4<br><br>Semifinals</strong><br>No. 5 seed Carmen Northwest (16-10) vs. Oostburg (20-6) at West Bend East, Wednesday<br>No. 1 seed Milwaukee Academy of Science (21-1) vs. No. 3 seed Racine Lutheran (24-2) at Milwaukee South, Thursday<br><br><strong>Carmen Northwest</strong><br><strong>Coach:</strong> Dupree Fletcher, 3rd year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>56-22<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>16-10<br><strong>Milwaukee City (Gold Division) Record</strong>: 10-2 (Second place)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships: </strong>2<br><strong>Results vs. Oostburg: </strong>Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players: </strong><br>Javantae Edwards (6-1, Sr., 30.6 ppg, Canisius recruit)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631846' first='Josiah' last='Posey'] (6-3, Sr., 14.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2685659' first='Carmelo' last='Fletcher'] (5-8, Sr., 14.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2423304' first='Taejon' last='Kelly'] (5-11, Soph., 6.4 ppg)<br>Javir Boyd (6-1, Sr., 3.4 ppg)<br>D'Keese Martin-Hart (5-10, Jr., 3.4 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny: </strong>Edwards went off for 29 points to help Carmen Northwest win at Dominican 73-65 in the regional finals ... Edwards is a blur on the court and is super aggressive with the ball in his hands ... He had 54 points in a narrow loss to Menomonee Falls, 51 in a one-point loss to Milwaukee Lutheran and 44 in a win over Racine St. Catherine's ... The NCAA Division I Canisius recruit was voted Player of the Year in the Gold Division of the Milwaukee City Conference ... [player_tooltip player_id='2685659' first='Carmelo' last='Fletcher'], the son of head coach Dupree Fletcher, earned second-team all-league honors while Posey picked up honorable mention laurels. <br><br><strong>Oostburg</strong><br><strong>Coach: </strong>Kevin Bruggink, 27th year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>506-160<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>20-6<br><strong>Big East South Record: </strong>10-2 (Tied for first place with Kohler and Sheboygan Lutheran)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 28<br><strong>Results vs. Oostburg:</strong> Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players: </strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1970502' first='Cade' last='Dirkse'] (6-2, Jr., 22.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2117025' first='Jamison' last='Zavatchin'] (6-4, Jr., 21.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508205' first='Westin' last='Zavatchin'] (6-5, Frosh., 7.0 ppg)<br>Chase Townsend (5-10, Jr., 6.6 ppg)<br>Devon Wilterdink (5-11, Jr., 3.6 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny:</strong> Dirkse was named Player of the Year in the Big East South and leads the Flying Dutchmen in scoring (22.0 ppg), rebounding (6.9 rpg), assists (6.6 apg) and steals (2.8 spg) ... [player_tooltip player_id='2117025' first='Jamison' last='Zavatchin'] has come on strong during the second half of the season and gives long-time coach Kevin Bruggink a scorer in the paint ... Zavatchin's younger brother, Westin, is a long, athletic freshman who has made strides in his game ... Oostburg has some familiarity with the Milwaukee City Conference after beating a very good Milwaukee School of Languages squad 67-62 in the regional finals.<br><br><strong>Prediction:</strong> Oostburg has tradition on its side with 28 regional titles and a coach with more than 500 wins. It also has one of the better juniors in the state in do-everything guard [player_tooltip player_id='1970502' first='Cade' last='Dirkse']. Still, Carmen Northwest is an extremely quick team led by one of the state's elite players in Edwards. If Oostburg can dictate tempo it can win as it holds teams to just 51.3 ppg. If not, Carmen Northwest is likely to reach its average of 78.5 ppg and win the game.<em> Carmen Northwest 71, Oostburg 59</em><br><br><strong>Milwaukee Academy of Science</strong><br><strong>Coach:</strong> Agape Keys, 19th year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>270-134<br><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 21-1<br><strong>Conference Record: </strong>MAS plays an independent schedule<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships:</strong> 10<br><strong>Results vs. Racine Lutheran: </strong>Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] (6-3, Sr., 26.4 ppg, Iowa State recruit)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'] (6-7, Sr., 18.5 ppg, Coastal Carolina recruit)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1390442' first='Agape' last='Keys Jr.'] (6-3, Sr., 15.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1481181' first='Amare' last='Jackson'] (6-4, Sr., 11.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'] (5-10, Jr., 6.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140923' first='Gavin' last='Valeri'] (6-2, Soph., 5.6 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny: </strong>As talented as any other team in the state, regardless of division, the seniors in the Academy of Science program are laser-focused on getting to the state tournament and hoisting a gold ball ... [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] is a finalist for the Mr. Basketball award and leads the team in virtually every statistical category ... He is an unselfish wing who can shoot it, defend, rebound and make shots with the game on the line ... Brown is a beast near the basket and finishes through contact at a very high level ... Keys Jr., the son of the head coach, is a solid defender and good shooter while Jackson competes with tremendous energy and has the ability to get to the basket, particularly in transition. <br><br><strong>Racine Lutheran</strong><br><strong>Coach: </strong>Justin Hullum, 4th year<br><strong>Record at School: </strong>52-50<br><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>24-2<br><strong>Metro Classic Record: </strong>13-1 (Tied for first place with Racine St. Catherine's)<br><strong>Number of Regional Championships: </strong>6<br><strong>Results vs. Academy of Science:</strong> Did not play.<br><strong>Top Players:</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2224532' first='Sam' last='Pitrof'] (6-4, Jr., 18.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2552505' first='Justin' last='Jones'] (6-3, Sr., 16.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2398434' first='Bryce' last='Austin'] (6-2, Soph., 11.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2429738' first='Isaiah' last='Cosey'] (5-11, Jr., 9.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2833117' first='Deeon' last='Brumby'] (6-1, Soph., 7.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2423535' first='Mario' last='Orta'] (6-0, Sr., 6.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140959' first='Michael' last='Pratt-Hassan'] (6-1, Soph., 6.1 ppg)<br><strong>Skinny: </strong>Racine Lutheran is one of the deeper teams in the Division 3 field and boasts one of the premier players in the division as well in Pitrof, an athletic wing with size, passion and the ability to make big plays ... The Crusaders tied Racine St. Catherine's for the league title, split with the Angels during the regular season and then went to St. Cat's and posted a 78-74 victory in the regional finals ... Pitrof had 26 and Jones added 19 to lead the way for the Crusaders ... Racine Lutheran has won nine straight games heading into its confrontation with Academy of Science.<br><br><strong>Prediction: </strong>Academy of Science meets its third straight opponent from the Metro Classic Conference after beating Shoreland Lutheran and Kenosha St. Joseph in the regionals. While Racine Lutheran is an outstanding team and one worthy of a state-tournament appearance, it runs into one of the top teams in the midwest in Academy of Science. There is simply too much talent and size to overcome for the Crusaders. <em>Academy of Science 92, Racine Lutheran 77 </em><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->