Division 3, Sectional 3: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The largest of the four Division 3 sectionals with 26 teams, Sectional 3 figures to be enormously competitive with any number of teams emerging with a state-tournament berth next March. Defending Division 4 champion Aquinas moves to Division 3 and is placed in Sectional 3 by the WIAA. The Blugolds will be a big factor with the return of key players [player_tooltip player_id='1890447' first='Logan' last='Becker'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140896' first='Calvin' last='Bahr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2224510' first='Finley' last='Strom'], among others. Lake Mills won this sectional a year ago and also boasts a large returning core of players led by [player_tooltip player_id='2346694' first='Tyler' last='Wollin'], [player_tooltip player_id='2505500' first='Collin' last='Christian'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1745860' first='Brady' last='Benish']. Toss in traditional powers Beloit Turner, Edgerton, Lakeside Lutheran, Mineral Point, Platteville, Wisconsin Dells and it's easy to see the depth and quality of this sectional grouping. <br><br>Following is a look at the top players and top teams in Sectional 3:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Five Players in Sectional 3</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2025184' first='Wes' last='Rahn'], 6-8, Sr., F, Lakeside Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2346694' first='Tyler' last='Wollin'], 6-3, Jr., G, Lake Mills<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1890447' first='Logan' last='Becker'], 6-3, Sr., G, Aquinas<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140896' first='Calvin' last='Bahr'], 6-4, Jr., G, Aquinas<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2358023' first='Zach' last='Hermsen'], 6-5, Sr., G/F, Lancaster<br><br><strong>Five Breakout Performers in Sectional 3</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874969' first='Drew' last='Aschliman'], 6-3, Sr., G, Mineral Point<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637314' first='Myron' last='Reuter'], 6-0, Sr., G, Platteville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381699' first='Bryce' last='Crubaugh-Lockard'], 6-0, Sr., G, Dodgeville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631448' first='Gabe' last='Nottling'], 6-4, Sr., F, Watertown Luther Prep<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561910' first='Peyton' last='Powers'], 6-3, Sr., G, Columbus<strong><br><br>Top Five Teams in Sectional 3</strong><br><br><strong>1. Lake Mills </strong>--Replacing the production and versatility of the graduated AJ Bender is a hurdle to overcome for Lake Mills, but the L-Cats do have a solid foundation to build on with the return of Wollin and Benish, two multi-year starters and proven performers. Wollin can do everything on the court and his instincts, skill and experience will be vital to the success this squad has in 2025-26. Benish can get on a roll from deep and is one of the better shooters from outside the arc in Wisconsin. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2505500' first='Collin' last='Christian'] (6-3) and incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2436993' first='Jenner' last='Wellman'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2875528' first='Charlie' last='Vogel'] (6-3) also figure to play big roles for coach Steve Hicklin. <br><br><strong>2. Aquinas </strong>-- Becker has scored 1,113 career points and is three-year varsity performer heading into his senior season. Bahr has emerged as a legitimate scholarship prospect in the 2027 class thanks to his size, skill and aggressiveness. Strom was one of the top players off the bench in the Mississippi Valley a year ago and figures to move into the starting lineup for coach Brad Reinhart. Finding players to surround those three proven performers will be key. Look for sophomore Will Dickinson (6-0) to potentially play a big role. <br><br><strong>3. Lakeside Lutheran</strong> -- Two starters are back from a 17-win squad, led by Rahn, the most dominat big man in the sectional and the owner of multiple NCAA Division II scholarship offers. Rahn is coming off a strong junior season where he averaged 20.1 points and 13.0 rebounds. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2500858' first='Brady' last='Wolfram'] (6-4) joined Rahn in the starting rotation. Coach Todd Jahns will look for seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2404956' first='Brecken' last='Jimenez'] (6-4), [player_tooltip player_id='2440762' first='Jackson' last='Stein'] (6-8), [player_tooltip player_id='2404954' first='Jackson' last='Moore'] (6-4) and Carson Strohm (6-2) to play bigger roles this winter. <br><br><strong>4. Lancaster </strong>-- Four double-figure scorers are back for coach Brian Knapp, who guided the Arrows to 19 wins a year ago. All four are seniors and form a rock-solid nucleus. Hermsen is a versatile wing who continues to improve in all aspects of the game while Williams is a physical and aggressive backcourt player who makes things happen on both ends of the court. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2825387' first='Dayne' last='Kauffman'] (5-11) is a tough cover due to his shiftiness and ball handling/passing ability, and Brady Schmitz (6-0) gives Lancaster even more scoring punch after netting 10.0 ppg as a junior. <br><br><strong>5. Platteville </strong>-- Coach Mike Huser has directed Platteville to a 29-1 record and three straight league crowns in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference. And with five returning letter winners from a 19-8 squad, more success is anticipated. Reuter is an experienced, quick and productive backcourt player who can attack the basket and is a very good team leader. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2922012' first='Jauron' last='Blevins'] (5-9) and junior Brody Digman (5-10) also figure to play key roles. Shullsburg transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2552683' first='Grady' last='Poppy'] (6-4) is a huge addition after he averaged 18 ppg and 10 rpg a year ago.<strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br><strong>Watertown Luther Prep</strong> -- As the lone member of the Midwest Classic Conference in Sectional 3, the Phoenix often enter the playoffs as a bit of an unknown. But make sure to not overlook coach Steve Vasold's squad as three starters and several key reserves are back, including Nottling, a first-team all-league pick who averaged 17.3 points and 7.0 rebounds last season. Jonas Meyer (5-9), [player_tooltip player_id='2422274' first='Matthew' last='Kieselhorst'] (6-4), [player_tooltip player_id='2906124' first='Levi' last='Nottling'] (6-4) and Nathan Schultz (6-1) also figure to play big roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->