Division 2, Sectional 1: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No team immediately jumps out as a favorite among the 21 schools assigned by the WIAA to the Division 2, Sectional 1 field. Certainly, there are a few familiar powerhouse programs in the grouping such as La Crosse Central, Medford, Onalaska, River Falls and West Salem. And there are some up-and-coming teams from Fox Valley Lutheran, Menomonie, Rhinelander and Tomah as well. But entering the 2025-26 campaign, Sectional 1 appears to be wide open with any number of squads looking make a deep playoff run. <br><br>Following is a quick look at the top teams and top players in Sectional 1:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Five Players in Sectional 1</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2386579' first='Devon' last='Feck'], 6-1, Sr., G, Rhinelander<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2117026' first='Ian' last='Kowal'], 6-3, Sr., G/F, Onalaska<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561965' first='Joseph' last='Daly'], 6-6, Sr., F, New London<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371688' first='Quinn' last='Gerke'], 6-2, Jr., G, Tomah<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2426065' first='Will' last='Svendsen'], 6-4, Sr., PF, Rice Lake<br><br><strong>Five Breakthrough Performers in Sectional 1</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405197' first='Tyler' last='Kowal'], 5-11, Soph., PG, Onalaska<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2410538' first='Brody' last='Graetz'], 6-1, Sr., G, River Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2672650' first='Caleb' last='Dahlke'], 6-5, Sr., F, Fox Valley Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2226077' first='Gabe' last='Servais'], 6-0, Jr., PG, La Crosse Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'], 6-7, Jr., F, Menomonie<strong><br><br>Top Five Teams in Sectional 1</strong><br><br><strong>1. Onalaska </strong>-- Kowal is the returning Mississippi Valley Conference Player of the Year and is one of the better all-around players in the state. He can score, defend, rebound and pass. And he competes with a high basketball IQ. His younger brother, jet-quick sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2405197' first='Tyler' last='Kowal'], also figures to play a big role for the Hilltoppers. Onalaska has some size with the return of 6-foot-7 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2392274' first='Rowan' last='McGrath'] and there is some untapped potential with the addition of Melrose-Mindoro transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2399158' first='Gavin' last='McRoberts']. <br><br><strong>2. Rhinelander -</strong>- The Hodags won 19 games and the Great Northern Conference crown a year ago and return three starters in Feck, [player_tooltip player_id='2850295' first='Evan' last='Shoeder'] (6-5) and [player_tooltip player_id='2386589' first='Jatyn' last='Barkus'] (6-3). Feck is a proven performer and one of the premier shooters in the state while Shoeder and Barkus have flashed vast improvement and could be headed toward all-league type of seasons for coach Derek Lemmens, who has won 217 games in 15 years at the school.<br><br><strong>3. River Falls </strong>-- Losing the Johnson boys -- Iowa football recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2415504' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] (6-6) and Minnesota State Moorhead football recruit Preston Johnson (6-3) -- to graduation might be difficult to overcome, but second-year coach Zach Turpin has plenty of returning balance and one of the better shooters in the sectional in Graetz. <br><br><strong>4. Menomonie</strong> -- Greg Van Grunsven enters his second season in charge of the Menomonie program looking to build his squad around the considerable talents of Robert, an athletic 6-foot-7 forward who averaged 10 ppg and 7 rpg as a sophomore. Robert and senior guard Tyler Nelson (5-11) lead the cast of returning players for Menomonie, which figures to gain plenty of resolve and toughness by competing in the largely Division 1 Big Rivers Conference during the regular season. <br><br><strong>5. La Crosse Central</strong> -- Guard play is a definite asset for the Riverhawks with the return of Servais and junior classmates [player_tooltip player_id='2481761' first='Anthony' last='Jones'] (6-0) and Ezra Weise (6-1). Finding some help along the baseline from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2632143' first='Joey' last='Pretasky'] (6-3) and Marcello Jones (6-4) will be vital to the chances for success in 2025-26.<strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br><strong>Fox Valley Lutheran </strong>-- The Foxes switch conferences this school year, moving from the North Eastern to the Bay. The uptick in competition might lead to some losses for coach Tommy Stelter's squad, but also figures to prepare them for the post season. And with three regulars back from a 16-10 squad in Dahlke, [player_tooltip player_id='2381574' first='Gabe' last='Heiges'] (5-8) and [player_tooltip player_id='2385567' first='Amani' last='Dahlke'] (6-5), the Foxes could make some noise once the playoffs get underway. Look for sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2811198' first='Cael' last='Loberger'] (6-0) to make a big impact this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->