Division 2, Sectional 4: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milwaukee Academy of Science makes the move from Division 3 to Division 2 in the upcoming year due to the WIAA's success formula, and the Novas are part of a 24-team Sectional 4 field that includes teams from eight different conferences in southeast Wisconsin.<br><br>Academy of Science, which plays an independent schedule, has a new coach in Raymont McElroy and must replace four starters from last year's Division 3 state-title squad, including NCAA Division I recruits Jamarion Batemon (Iowa State) and Devin Brown (Coastal Carolina). But with [player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'] (5-11), [player_tooltip player_id='1501903' first='Deuce' last='Burkes'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2487652' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown'] (6-7). Gavin Valeri (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2614854' first='Tylen' last='Kingsby'] (6-6) all back, Academy of Science again figures to rank among the elite in the state. <br><br>Following is a look at the top teams and top players in Sectional 4:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Five Players in Sectional 4</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1749722' first='Jakari' last='Smith'], 6-5, Sr., G/F, Milwaukee Bradley Tech<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien'], 6-3, Jr., G, Whitefish Bay<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2733016' first='Azon' last='Juarez-Quinn'], 6-6, Sr., F, Greenfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561893' first='Caden' last='Gustafson'], 6-4, Sr., G, Waterford<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2510585' first='Cooper' last='Markee'], 6-6, Sr., F, Whitnall<br><br><strong>Five Breakout Performers in Sectional 4</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492539' first='Grant' last='Sulik'], 6-4, Sr., F, Burlington<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2872290' first='Griffin' last='Schultz'], 6-0, Sr., G, Union Grove<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2487652' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown'], 6-7, Jr., F, Academy of Science<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'], 5-11, Sr., G, Academy of Science<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'], 5-10, Soph., PG, Whitefish Bay<br><br><strong>Top Five Teams in Sectional 4</strong><br><br><strong>1. Milwaukee Academy of Science</strong> -- Even though McElroy is the new head coach at Academy of Science, he is very familiar with many of the top players in the program after serving as a coach with the [program_tooltip program_id='2076433' first='Kevon' last='Looney Power 5'] club program that features many MAS players. Look for Batemon to take on a leadership role and Kingsby to have a big season while Brown partrols the paint and Valeri and Burkes score from multiple spots on the floor. <br><br><strong>2. Whitefish Bay </strong>-- Competing in the ultra-tough North Shore Conference might result is some losses during the regular season, but keep an eye on Whitefish Bay as this young, talented and hungry squad will be a handful to handle once the playoffs get underway in March. Julien, Miskel, senior [player_tooltip player_id='2500873' first='Marcus' last='Webb'] (6-1), junior Jack Broderson (6-1) are returning starters for coach Ryan Fiet. Size and depth are concerns, but guard play is a huge asset along with perimeter shooting and defense.<br><br><strong>3. Waterford</strong> -- Gustafson, a Northern Michigan recruit, is one of the elite perimeter shooters in the state and headlines a talented group of returning players for coach Nick Roeglin, who guided the Wolverines to a 24-4 record and the Southern Lakes crown a year ago. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2847615' first='Colin' last='Lepisto'] (5-10). Gavin Roeglin (5-10), [player_tooltip player_id='2278489' first='Beau' last='Veit'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2809011' first='Jayce' last='Brechtl'] (6-6) also return.<br><br><strong>4. Burlington </strong>-- The Demons have an intriguing blend of holdovers and newcomers, one that could help coach Kyle Scott's squad contend for the Southern Lakes Conference title. Sulik and fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561957' first='Cole' last='Walby'] (6-0) are returning starters while sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2618915' first='Vincent' last='Kendall'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2459339' first='Djordje' last='Ninkovic'] (6-3) each earned substantial playing time as freshmen. Senior Zach Deans (6-2) returns after missing last year with an injury while Union Grove transfer Matthew Burtkart (6-3) and Pius XI Catholic transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2304321' first='Emmett' last='Munson'] (6-2) also could earn their way into the regular playing rotation. <br><br><strong>5. Whitnall -</strong>- The Falcons lost a pair of stellar guards to graduation in Ohio State recruit Myles Herro (6-2) and South Florida baseball recruit Jack Lutz (6-0), but coach Andrew Wojik begins his second year with three stellar players in Markee, [player_tooltip player_id='2400311' first='Max' last='Michalak'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1561921' first='Tyler' last='Michalak'] (5-10). Toss is talented senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2832082' first='Aiden' last='Garcia'] (6-1) and Whitnall appears to have enough three-point shooting and speed to have another successful season in the Woodland East. <br><br><strong>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br><strong>Catholic Memorial </strong>-- Catholic Memorial bounces back up to Division 2 after a couple of seasons in Division 3 as the school has experienced a recent enrollment increase. Playing in the mostly Division 1 Classic Eight Conference will prepare coach Kyle Johnsen's squad for the post season. And Johnsen has a lot to work with as senior [player_tooltip player_id='2496343' first='Jake' last='Pfister'] (6-1) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2505474' first='Dusty' last='Roach'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140928' first='Jackson' last='Albee'] (6-0) are returning starters from a club that won 16 games. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2414753' first='Rigg' last='Waterman'] (6-4), Matt Goedheer (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2731450' first='Will' last='Kinateder'] (6-0) also figure to play key roles and look for freshman Karti Calvert (6-5) to log some varsity minutes in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->