Division 1, Sectional 3: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All 10 teams from the Big Eight Conference are somehow stacked into Sectional 3, even though it would be relatively easy from a geography standout for the WIAA to move at least a handful to Sectional 4. In addition to the 10 Big Eight squads, strong teams from Beloit Memorial of the Southern Lakes, Kettle Moraine from the Classic Eight and both Monona Grove and Waunakee from the Badger Large are grouped in Sectional 3. <br><br>Following is a look at the top teams and top players in Sectional 3:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Five Players in Sectional 3</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561889' first='Amare' last='Hereford'], 6-2, Sr., G, Beloit Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561953' first='Thian' last='Riak'], 6-4, Sr., G/F, Madison La Follette<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045266' first='Mike' last='Wilson'], 6-2, Sr., G, Madison West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140876' first='Austin' last='Luchetti'], 6-6, Jr., F, Monona Grove<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508313' first='Evan' last='Ploeckelman'], 6-6, Jr., F, Mukwonago<br><strong><br>Five Breakout Players in Sectional 3</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045264' first='Ezra' last='Liggon'], 6-5, Sr., G/F, Madison Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561947' first='Caleb' last='Liggon'], 6-5, Sr., G/F, Madison Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140977' first='Reece' last='Jordan Jr']., 6-2, Jr., G, Madison La Follette<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561928' first='Brock' last='Walser'], 6-1, Sr., G, Badger<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2626535' first='Jackson' last='Guerrero'], 6-0, Sr., Middleton<br><br><strong>Top Five Teams in Sectional 3<br><br>1. Madison Memorial </strong>-- The Liggon twins are a handful to defend because of their versatility, athleticism and strength. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1756988' first='Anthony' last='Miller'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2831343' first='Joseph' last='Rodriquez'] (5-10), Brayden Banyai (5-11), [player_tooltip player_id='2495043' first='Andrew' last='Braun'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2452484' first='Devin' last='Prosser'] (6-2) also return for long-time coach Steve Collins, now in his 28th year as the Spartans' head coach.<br><br><strong>2. Madison La Follette </strong>-- Much of the Lancers' success this winter will depend on the health of the talented but often injured Riak. Hopefully, he stays healthy and plays at a high level to go along with the talents of junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2140977' first='Reece' last='Jordan Jr']. (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140969' first='Origin' last='Prewitt'] (5-10).<br><br><strong>3. Monona Grove </strong>-- The Silver Eagles are young, but they are extremely talented. There is size, athleticism, depth, and strong guard play. Luchetti is a very difficult matchup because he can score from deep and off the bounce, and he keeps coming at you for the full contest. <br><br><strong>4. Beloit Memorial </strong>-- Hereford is one of the elite players in Wisconsin and is coming off a season where he averaged 26.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Other returning starters for coach Todd Marks include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1552453' first='Brock' last='Hodges'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='1561945' first='James' last='Ford'] III (5-9) and [player_tooltip player_id='2830234' first='JJ' last='Martin'] (5-10). <br><br><strong>5. Waunakee </strong>-- Coach Tyler Selk lost all five regulars from a team that went 23-6 and lost in the semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament. But Waunakee is a perennial power and the JV1 squad went 19-3. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140989' first='Wes' last='Ducharme'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2642394' first='Mac' last='Johnson'] (6-6) will play big roles in 2025-26.<br><br><strong>Sleeper Team<br><br>Verona</strong> -- Lots of holes to fill for coach Curtrel Robinson with the starting five from a year ago all graduating last spring. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2505503' first='Will' last='Stremlow'] (6-2), who recently picked up a NCAA DII scholarship offer from Michigan Tech, leads a crew that also includes senior [player_tooltip player_id='2381701' first='Eli' last='Andres'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2390112' first='Maddox' last='Boado'] (6-3) and Owen Ayite-Atayi (6-3) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2618890' first='Terrin' last='Jackson'] (6-0), Deonote Phillips (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2682935' first='Max' last='Crimmings'] (6-4).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->