February Forecast: Pick's Picks for Division 3 State Tournament

We are officially getting to that point of the season where we have to start thinking about high school playoff basketball. The mid-season playoff rankings are coming this week, so this will be Pt. 1 of 5 this week releasing my predictions and analysis of the WIAA state tournament. We start with division three.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 1</h2>   Sectional 1    The Favorites:   Osceola- 13-3   Notable Wins: Altoona, Prescott   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2809643' first='Hunter' last='Bradway'] (6-2 Sr.) 17.8ppg, [player_tooltip player_id='2406622' first='Caleb' last='Irlbeck'] (6-4 Sr.) 17.8ppg   Notes: Osceola has five seniors that start providing depth and familiar faces that have produced a ton of success this season. Osceola has not been to state since 2001. The Middle Border has been very successful in pushing teams to Madison, and Osceola looks to continue this tradition   Mosinee- 14-2   Notable Wins: Marathon, New London, Brillion    Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2386464' first='Brayden' last='Reinke'] (6-4 Jr.) 20.6ppg, 8.0rpg, 3.4apg, (#66 in the class of 2027) [player_tooltip player_id='2432828' first='Treve' last='Stoffel'] 14.4ppg 6.4rpg, 5.6apg (6-5 Senior, Committed to Wisconsin for Football), [player_tooltip player_id='2714970' first='Carson' last='Balgord'] (6-0 Sr.) 10.6ppg, 45% from 3   Notes: Mosinee has not lost since December 13th and is currently riding an 11 game win streak into Tuesday's big game against undefeated Seymour. Mosinee is new to division three and they have never been to the state tournament. Mosinee has won a ton of games the past few seasons and look to break through in the sectional in their pursuit of a state appearance.   GET- 15-2   Notable Wins: Holmen, Mauston, Saint Croix Central   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2434283' first='Talon' last='Fabian'] (6-0 So., #83 in 2028 Class) 17.6ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.3apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2432831' first='Travis' last='Theisen'] (6-7 Sr.) 17.5ppg, 6.6rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='1561902' first='Mason' last='Brone'] (6-3 Sr. #40 in 2026 class, UWSP commit) 13.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 5.8apg   Notes: The Redhawks are a very good scoring team from the perimeter, shooting 36.4% from 3 on the season. G-E-T has not been to the Kohl Center since 2016, but are a serious contender in this sectional with their strong play from their “big 3” of scorers in Brone, Theisen, and Fabian. G-E-T was upset last year early in the playoffs, but they are poised to contend in this sectional once again.    Sleeper: Saint Croix Central- 11-6   Notable Wins: Prescott, Osceola, Northwestern   Notable Players: Matays Larson (6-4 Sr. )15.1ppg, 4.7rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='3022347' first='Braiden' last='Rasmussen'] (6-0 Sr.) 12.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.7apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2809654' first='Tanner' last='Grinnell'] (6-9 Sr.) 12.5ppg, 7.7rpg   Notes: Saint Croix Central is not afraid to mix up their defenses. The Panthers have used an aggressive 2-3 zone and man to man to help score some big wins in the past few weeks. SCC currently leads the respectable Middle Border Conference in the standings ahead of their big rematch against Prescott this Tuesday. The Panthers utilize modern spacing and offense with their big being stretched away from the hoop to hunt handoffs and Princeton style offensive actions.    Sectional 1 Champion: Mosinee over Saint Croix Central   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 2</h2>   The Favorites   Freedom- 16-1   Notable Wins: Fox Valley Lutheran, Lake Mills, Stoughton, Brookfield Central, Prescott   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] (6-8 Jr. #1 in 2027 class)  20.4ppg, 12.0rpg, 4.6apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2724372' first='Kaden' last='Vandenberg'] (6-1 Jr. 14.0ppg, 2.5apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2140894' first='Cal' last='Calhoon'] (5-10 Jr.  9.4ppg, 3.5apg   Notes: Freedom has played a very difficult non-conference schedule and their only blemish is against a Slinger team that might be the division 2 favorite come March. The Irish are led by ultra talented [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] who has several Power 5 offers. Freedom is balanced in scoring outside of Davis by [player_tooltip player_id='2724372' first='Kaden' last='Vandenberg'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140894' first='Cal' last='Calhoon'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2402529' first='Owen' last='Henkel']. Freedom employs a variety of full court pressure and will be a leading contender to win this sectional.    Seymour- 16-0   Notable Wins: Notre Dame, Xavier (2),  FVL, Winneconne    Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2391083' first='Kyler' last='Marks'] (6-4 Sr. #39 in 2026 class ) 23.6ppg, 8.9rpg  Issac Feske (6-3 Jr. ) 15.1ppg, 6.1rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2615539' first='Jordan' last='Krause'] (6-0 So. #10 in 2028 class ) 12.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.5apg   Notes: Seymour is loaded from top to bottom. They have a ton of scoring depth, and their 6th or 7th option on their team would be top options for a good chunk of division three teams. Seymour may run the table despite having Lake Mills, Oshkosh North, Mosinee and other tough conference opponents remaining on the schedule. Seymour and Freedom should eventually meet in the sectional semifinal, a game that probably would be better played at the Kohl Center. Regardless, Seymour is a heavy favorite in this sectional.    Brillion- 13-3    Notable Wins: Roncalli, Bonduel    Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2809429' first='Colton' last='Larsen'] (6-4 Jr.) 18.9ppg, 6.3 rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2949099' first='Heath' last='Cousin'] (6-0 Sr.) 11.3ppg, 3.3apg, [player_tooltip player_id='1561932' first='Connor' last='Holly'] (6-2 Sr.) 10.6ppg   Notes: Brillion is no stranger to being at the top of the respectable EWC and making deep runs in the playoffs. The Lions are competing in division three and are in a tough bottom part of the bracket, but Chad Shimek is a fantastic coach. Brillion is one of the smallest division three schools, however I believe they have the balance of scoring to compete with Xavier, Berlin, and Winneconne.    Sleeper: Berlin 13-3   Notable Wins: Mauston, Laconia, Winnebago Lutheran   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2387128' first='Hayden' last='Redington'] (6-6 Sr., Augustana Football Commit) 22.1ppg, 13.7rpg, 5.3apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2913732' first='Carter' last='Hess'] (6-0 Sr.) 13.9ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.6apg   Notes: Berlin has won 8 out of their last 9 games and are red hot. Berlin competes in the South Central Conference and has a legitimate chance to win out to earn a high seed. Kind of a throwback team, Berlin runs the swing offense and does not dribble more than a few times a possession. The Indians are massive inside with their length and strength and could create trouble for some of the teams in their sectional without the interior size and strength.    Sectional 2 Champion: Seymour over Brillion    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 3</h2>     The Favorites   Aquinas- 15-3    Notable Wins: Arcadia, Regis, Holmen, Onalaska   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2140896' first='Calvin' last='Bahr'] (6-5 Jr. #24 in 2027 class) 19.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 4.1apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2224510' first='Finley' last='Strom'] (6-4 Sr.) 14.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg,  [player_tooltip player_id='1890447' first='Logan' last='Becker'] (6-3 Sr. #37 in 2026 class)  14.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.2apg   Notes: After a rout in the division 4 state championship last year, Aquinas finds themselves in the driver's seat again to make a long run in the playoffs. The Blugolds are very talented up and down the roster but Bahr, Strom, and Becker can give you 20+ on any given night. Experience and historical success matters in the playoffs, and I believe that Aquinas should be a favorite for this sectional as we head into the last month of the season.    Lake Mills- 14-1   Notable Wins: Sauk Prairie, Lakeside Lutheran, Deforest, Turner, Edgerton   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2346694' first='Tyler' last='Wollin'] (6-3 Jr., #25 in 2027 class)  16.3ppg, 7.9rpg, 7.8apg  [player_tooltip player_id='2505500' first='Collin' last='Christian'] 6-2 Jr. 13.4ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.1apg , [player_tooltip player_id='1745860' first='Brady' last='Benish'] (6-1 Sr., #42 in 2026 class) 13.2ppg, 2.6rpg    Notes: Much like a lot of years, Lake Mills is talented top to bottom with outstanding outside shooting and athletes. [player_tooltip player_id='2346694' first='Tyler' last='Wollin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2505500' first='Collin' last='Christian'] are supremely athletic in multiple sports and provide a lot of scoring for the L-Cats. [player_tooltip player_id='1745860' first='Brady' last='Benish'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2436993' first='Jenner' last='Wellman'] are sharpshooters that can get a bunch of buckets as well. Head Coach Steve Hicklin is looking for his fourth state tournament experience, and back to back appearances after nearly upsetting Milwaukee Academy of Science in last year's tournament.    Lakeside Lutheran- 12-4   Notable Wins: Lake Country Lutheran, Luther Prep, Lodi, Fox Valley Lutheran   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2025184' first='Wes' last='Rahn'] (6-8 Sr #13 in 2026 class, Minnesota-Duluth Commit) 20.1ppg  [player_tooltip player_id='2500858' first='Brady' last='Wolfram'] 6-3 Sr., 16.4ppg   Notes: The Warriors rely heavily on the scoring production of [player_tooltip player_id='2025184' first='Wes' last='Rahn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2500858' first='Brady' last='Wolfram']. Head Coach Todd Jahns is an elite coach and always gets the most out of his squads in the playoffs. Lakeside last made it to Madison in 2023 when Rahn was in the program, but fell to the eventual state champion Brillon in a nail biter. It is likely we will see another classic playoff matchup between the in-town rivals  L-cats and Warriors in a game in early March again this postseason.    Sleeper: Luther Prep 11-1    Notable Wins: Columbus, University School, Living Word Lutheran   Notable Players: Gabe Notling (6-4 Sr) 23.5ppg, 8.4rpg  [player_tooltip player_id='2906124' first='Levi' last='Nottling'] (6-4 Jr.) 11.7ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.6apg   Notes: Luther Prep is an intriguing sleeper in this sectional due to their offensive efficiency and pace  of play. The Phoenix employ a high powered offense that gets them wide open threes and layups in transition. Luther Prep plays a much different schedule than the rest of this sectional playing in the Midwest Classic, but still plays a challenging schedule. Luther Prep has never made the big dance, but could make a deeper run due to their shooting.    Sectional 3 Champion: Lake Mills over Aquinas   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 4</h2>   The Favorites   Racine St. Catherine's - 13-2   Notable Wins: Racine Lutheran, Milwaukee Academy of Science, Dominican   Notable Players: Lamont Hamilton (6-0 Sr. #11 2026 class, committed to Minnesota for Football) 23.7ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.8apg   EJ Vinson (5-10 Sr.) 12.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.0spg  AC Ward (6-3 Sr.) 10.2ppg, 4.6rpg   Notes: St. Cats' despite not having a ton of size on the interior, are so tough defensively with ball pressure and their ability to force live ball turnovers. Lamont Hamilton is electric with the ball and has the star power to carry his team with Vinson and Ward to a prolonged run in March. St. Catherine's won the state championship in 2021 and will without a doubt have a round 3 matchup against their rivals, Racine Lutheran in the playoffs.    Racine Lutheran- 14-3    Notable Wins: Dominican, St. Cats', Martin Luther, [program_tooltip program_id='2829078' first='West' last='De Pere']   Notable Players: Sam Pitroff (6-4 Sr. #25 in 2026 class) 23.8ppg, 9.7rpg, 2.2apg , [player_tooltip player_id='2398434' first='Bryce' last='Austin'] (6-3 Jr.) 11.8ppg 6.3rpg, 3.5apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2429738' first='Isaiah' last='Cosey'] (5-11 Sr.) 11.1ppg, 3.7rpg   Notes: Lutheran just pulled off a big one against their crosstown rival St. Cats' last week in a thrilling game at Lutheran. The winner of round 3 is going to represent sectional four in Madison in mid march. The Crusaders are loaded with scoring talent, toughness, and the ability to put relentless pressure on teams. Lutheran has not made the tournament since 2012 in the historic game against Shebogyan Lutheran.    Oostburg- 15-2    Notable Wins:  Lomira, Sheboygan Lutheran, Howards Grove, Kohler   Notable Players:  [player_tooltip player_id='3021620' first='Jamison' last='Zavatchin'] (6-3 Sr. #36 in the state committed to Bethel) 30.8ppg, 6.3rpg, Cade Dirske (6-2 Sr. #21 in state committed to Hillsdale) 17.6ppg, 7.7 apg, 5.3rpg   Notes: The Flying Dutchmen are making statements in nearly every victory this year. Oostburg is winning their games by an average of nearly 30 points per game. Dirske and Zavatchin are a legitimate 1-2 punch in the division three field. The Dutchmen are physical and skilled enough to hang with Racine Lutheran in a potential sectional final. Oostburg has only lost two games this year, one to a very talented Beaver Dam squad and the other to another talented team in Port Washington without Cade Dirske due to injury.    Sleeper: KML 12-5   Notable Wins: Xavier, Iola- Scandinavia, Plymouth, Pius   Notable Players: Nathan Kabelowsky (6-1 Sr.) 13.1ppg, [player_tooltip player_id='2624965' first='Henry' last='Bednar'] (6-5 Sr.) 13.0ppg, 5.7rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2935650' first='Jacob' last='Hess'] (6-1 Jr.)  11.9ppg, 2.7apg   Notes: The Chargers are a very good shooting team and can shoot with the best of them from the perimeter. The Chargers are without point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2724390' first='Jake' last='Bartelt'] who tore his ACL before the start of the season, but play a tough schedule to get them ready for playoff basketball. A member of the newly formed Glacier Trails conference, the Chargers trail Port Washington just by two games with a lot of conference games yet to be played. KML's quickness and shooting will make them a tough out in March.   Sectional 4 Champion: Racine Lutheran over Oostburg   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Tournament Predictions</h2>   #1 Seymour over #4 Mosinee   #2 Racine Lutheran over #3 Lake Mills   Seymour over Racine Lutheran to win the Division Three State Championship.

We are officially getting to that point of the season where we have to start thinking about high school playoff basketball. The mid-season playoff rankings are coming this week, so this will be Pt. 1 of 5 this week releasing my predictions and analysis of the WIAA state tournament. We start with division three.