February Forecast: Pick's Picks for Division 4 State Tournament

This is the 2nd article of five that will come out predicting the playoff results and state tournament field. Today, we will preview the Division 4 contenders and sleepers. Let's get to it!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 1</h2>   The Favorites   Regis 13-3   Notable Wins: Stanley Boyd, Tomah, G-E-T, McDonell Central    Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2375323' first='Blake' last='Risler'] (6-4 Sr. #29 in 2026 class, Committed to D3 Saint John's) 27.1ppg, 42.3% 3, [player_tooltip player_id='2615520' first='DJ' last='Cooper'] (6-0 So.) 17.6ppg, 5.1apg, 4.5rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='3102261' first='Bennett' last='Risler'] (6-3 Fr. ) 12.6ppg, 4.3rpg   Notes: The Ramblers are a very strong 3 point shooting team. For the year, Regis is shooting an outstanding 40% from behind the arc. Regis gets a lot of quality looks out of the euro ball screen system and are able to play extremely fast in the half court. They average nearly 80 points a game, and are a strong candidate to be the favorite in this sectional. Regis, which is based in Eau Claire, last tournament appearance in Madison was in 2015. They have a tough road, but the Ramblers are playing very good basketball right now.    Fall Creek 12-2   Notable Wins: Stanley-Boyd, Altoona, Osseo-Fairchild, McDonell Central   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2391346' first='Miles' last='Schmidgall'] (6-7 Jr. #60 2027 class) 14.2ppg, 12.4rpg, 3.1bpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2405803' first='Jackson' last='Tangley'] (6-1 Jr.) 13.6ppg, 4.7apg, 2.9spg    Notes: Fall Creek has a solid 1-2 punch with Schmidgall and Tangley. Tangley has great court vision in transition and creates for teammates downhill while shooting 44% from the 3 point line. Schmidgall is an intriguing 2027 prospect that is ultra athletic and smooth when attacking the basket. The Crickets have a long tradition of winning under longtime coach Rick Storlie who is in his 27th year at the school. Fall Creek has not been to Madison since 2009, but absolutely are in the conversation of advancing this season in sectional 1.    Osseo-Fairchild 13-2   Notable Wins: Alma Center Lincoln, Cochrane-Fountain City   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2829041' first='Noah' last='Sullivan'] (6-0 Sr.)  17.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 4.1apg,  [player_tooltip player_id='3021644' first='Mason' last='Schmidt'] 8.8ppg, 10.7rpg (6-4 Sr.)    Notes: New Head Coach Ryan Leis is off to a great first year boasting a 13-2 record. The Thunder utilize strong full court man to man pressure and half court pressure to limit their opponents to 45.3ppg. Osseo-Fairchild utilizes a lot of handoff/ball screen action to help score efficiently in the paint. The Thunder have just one conference loss to Whitehall in which they will look to avenge on February 10th. Other than Whitehall and Cochrane-Fountain City, Osseo-Fairchild has a chance to run the table the rest of the year earning a very high seed in sectional 1.    Sleeper: McDonell Central Catholic 9-8   Notable Wins: Colfax, Alma Center Lincoln   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2970935' first='Eli' last='Stepp'] (5-10 Sr.) 15.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 4.4apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2140890' first='Brennan' last='Loiselle-Christianson'] (6-5 Jr.) 13.1ppg, 7.3rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2389764' first='Karson' last='Galvez'] (6-5 Sr.) 12.3ppg, 4.6rpg   Notes: Much like some other teams in this sectional, McDonell Central runs a continuous ball screen system to get the ball to the paint. The euro ball screen is becoming increasingly popular with the evolution of the Badger Basketball offense. It resembles the early 2000s when everyone and their brother was running the swing offense. Regardless, the macks are able to get some easy buckets out of this system. [player_tooltip player_id='2140890' first='Brennan' last='Loiselle-Christianson'] is a great  left handed athlete for the Macks that have a long history of state tournament success. Head Coach Adam Schilling has an astonishing 136 wins in his 8 years at the helm for the Chippewa Falls based school.     Sectional 1 Prediction: Regis over McDonell Central Catholic     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 2 </h2>   Sectional 2   The Favorites   Kewaunee 15-0   Notable Wins: Manitowoc Lutheran, Howards Grove, Brillion, Bonduel   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2841334' first='Diesel' last='Bosdeck'] (6-4 So.) 15.5ppg, 3.9rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2542522' first='Connor' last='Kilgore'] (6-2 Sr.) 14.9ppg 5.9rpg, 2.6apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2381690' first='Avery' last='Jerabek'] (6-1 Sr.) 13.4ppg, 3.4rpg   Notes: Kewaunee returned four starters who scored in double digits from last season when they fell to Oconto in the regional. Kewaunee has been nearly impossible to stop with their average margin of victory is 25 points per game. They have beaten ten teams with above a .500 record which is quite impressive. Kewaunee is up with pressure and relentless with their on ball defense making them very tough to score on. Kewaunee has not made the state tournament since 1981, and although their sectional is quite difficult, Kewaunee is battle tested and is a strong contender to advance to Madison.    Bonduel 14-3   Notable Wins: Iola- Scandinavia, Roncalli, Saint Mary Catholic   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2387960' first='Quinn' last='Wesenberg'] (6-3 Jr.) 19.6ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.1apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2391085' first='Ryan' last='Westrich'] (6-6 Sr., committed to Western Michigan Football) 16.8ppg 10.9rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2386363' first='Carter' last='Moesch'] (6-2 Jr.) 9.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.3apg   Notes: Bonduel made the state tournament last year in division four and returns important pieces in Wesenberg, Westrich, and Moesch. Wesenberg is a dynamic 3-level left handed scoring guard. Westrich might be the strongest player playing basketball right now in the state of Wisconsin. He recently became the school's all time leading scorer. Bonduel will have to play potentially Iola- Scandinavia, Saint Mary Catholic and/or Kewaunee before even reaching the sectional final. It is a loaded half, but Bonduel is very good and is battle tested.    Marathon 15-1   Notable Wins: Regis, Prentice, Rib Lake, Columbus Catholic   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2542530' first='True' last='Thurs'] (6-1 Sr.) , 13.9ppg, 6.6rpg, 4.1apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2500057' first='Drew' last='Woelfel'] (6-4 Sr.) 13.0ppg, 7.7 rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='3020877' first='Logan' last='Peters'] (6-5 Jr.) 11.1ppg, 4.5rpg   Notes: Marathon has been nothing consistent the last 15 seasons under Head Coach Adam Jacobson. Marathon has a ton of balance in their scoring within their motion offense and are outscoring opponents by 24.6 points per game. Marathon is heavily favored in the rest of their contests and have potential to be sitting at 23-1 going into sectionals. It is going to be tough for the computer to determine the top seeds between Bonduel and Kewaunee on the bottom, but on the top of the sectional, Marathon is the clear cut #1 seed headed into the last month of the season.    Sleeper: Iola- Scandinavia 13-4   Notable Wins: Saint Mary Catholic   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2352817' first='Alex' last='Robbins'] (6-6 Jr. #41 2027 class)  21.3ppg, 6.7rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2542526' first='Korz' last='Loken'] (6-5 Jr. University of Wisconsin Football commit)  14.8ppg, 9.7rpg, 2.1apg    Notes: [player_tooltip player_id='2352817' first='Alex' last='Robbins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2542526' first='Korz' last='Loken'] are the most athletic duo in this sectional and it is not close. Robbins began the year injured but is now back playing and playing extremely well for the Thunderbirds. [player_tooltip player_id='2542526' first='Korz' last='Loken'] is the #1 rated football recruit in Wisconsin but is also a tremendous basketball player for I-S.  The Thunderbirds will probably need to win out to push to a #3 seed over SMC, but it is very doable with the return of Robbins. Circle the Thunderbirds as a team to closely monitor when the seeds come out in a few weeks. Iola-Scandinavia has not made the tournament since 2002, and will look to return to Madison for the first time in nearly 25 years.    Sectional 2 Prediction: Iola- Scandinavia over Marathon   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 3</h2>   The Favorites   Lomira 15-1   Notable Wins: Winneconne, WLA, Winneconne   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1561934' first='Jake' last='Broeske'] (6-9 Sr. #24 in 2026 class) 18.6ppg, 9.6rpg,  [player_tooltip player_id='2381926' first='Keegan' last='Kell'] (6-0 Jr.) 12.0ppg 49% 3, [player_tooltip player_id='2381930' first='Blake' last='Steger'] (6-3 Jr.) 10.6ppg, 5.0rpg    Notes: Lomira went on a deep run last year despite the absence of [player_tooltip player_id='1561934' first='Jake' last='Broeske'], who had a knee injury. The Lions are back and have good scoring depth with Broeske, Kell, and Steger who all average double digits respectfully. Broeske is a big presence inside that can score efficiently around the rim and from behind the arc. Broeske might be the best unsigned player in the 2026 class in division four. First year coach Nick Kohler is looking to lead the Lions to their second state appearance in program history.     Darlington 13-2   Notable Wins: Turner, Cambridge, Mineral Point   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2505508' first='Zeke' last='Zuberbuhler']  (6-1 Jr.  #45 in 2027 class) 14.8ppg, 4.6apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2045300' first='Broker' last='Buschor'] (6-3 Sr. #31 in 2026 class) 14.2ppg, 8.7rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2369903' first='Ryder' last='Fitzsimons'] (6-3 So. #18 in 2028 class)  12.9ppg, 4.1 rpg    Notes: Darlington is the best team in the top half of sectional three and in large part due to their talented trio of Zuberbuhler, Buschor, and Fitzsimons. The three are all ranked in the top 50 of their respected classes. The Redbirds have lost to Mineral Point the past two postseasons, but the Pointers are now moved up to Division 3 due to the performance factor. Regardless, Darlington and longtime coach, Tom Upenna eclipsed the 200 win mark this season, and is a favorite to advance to Madison. Buschor guarded some larger post players on the AAU circuit, and should be able to guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561934' first='Jake' last='Broeske'] in a potential sectional final down the road.    Pardeeville 14-3   Notable Wins: Laconia, Wisconsin Dells   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2510497' first='Devin' last='Jerome'] (6-3 Jr.)  21.4ppg, 6.4rpg, 5.1apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2830615' first='Julian' last='Wells'] (6-1 Jr.) 17.0ppg, 4.3rpg   Notes: Pardeeville lost four of their five starters from the 24-2 team. The Bulldogs are coached by Chris Lindert, who went over 300 wins at Pardeeville this current season. [player_tooltip player_id='2510497' first='Devin' last='Jerome'] is a very dynamic scorer and can put up big time points and will without a doubt, finish in the top ten scorers in school history. Pardeeville was beaten by Lomira in the playoffs last year and will look to avenge their early exit, this postseason. Pardeeville will without a doubt be favored in a majority of their games, but anything can happen on any given night in the Trailways.    Sleeper: Cambridge 10-7   Notable Wins: Columbus, Marshall   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2758142' first='Jett' last='Horton'] (6'1 Sr.),  [player_tooltip player_id='2404952' first='Cal' last='Nottestad'] (6'5 Sr.)   Notes: Cambridge plays in a very tough Capital Conference that features some difficult crossover matchups. The Bluejays have played a very difficult non conference schedule but they have a chance to improve their seed dramatically by winning games against their remaining opponents. Cambridge should be favored in almost all of their games remaining. Alex Ranney is off to a great start in his young coaching career and runs a great motion based offense that is modeled off of the 5 out system in Lake Mills. Cambridge could be as high as a two seed in the upper half of sectional three.  Sectional 3 Prediction: Darlington over Lomira   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sectional 4</h2>   The Favorites   Milwaukee Juneau 14-1   Notable Wins: Madison West, Whitnall   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] (6-5 Jr. #2 2027 class committed to Gonzaga) 28.9ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.8apg, [player_tooltip player_id='2045272' first='Takis' last='Tyler'] (5-11 Sr. #35 in 2026 class) 18.5ppg, 6.2apg   Notes: Juneau has not lost since their meeting with West Allis Central on December 6th. Juneau plays a ton of competition within their MPS schedule, but have dismantled teams. [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] is obviously the superstar to watch on this squad flying through the air with posterizing dunks and dynamic scoring. However,  you can not dismiss the great season [player_tooltip player_id='2045272' first='Takis' last='Tyler'] is having for the Pioneers. Juneau should run through the rest of their conference schedule and final non conference games, leading to a higher seed in the bottom part of sectional four. Milwaukee Juneau has never made the tournament and a Milwaukee Public School team has not made the tournament since 2019.    Roncalli 12-3   Notable Wins: Kiel, Sheboygan Lutheran   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2416199' first='Maddix' last='Gulseth'] 23.3ppg, 4.1rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='1561958' first='Donovan' last='Cowley'] (6-2 Sr. #48 2026 Class) 22.0ppg, 6.4rpg   Notes: Roncalli stills runs the 5 out motion offensive system that gets them great shots over the years. The EWC has some strong teams with Roncalli and Brillion and Roncalli has challenged themselves as well in their non conference schedule. Gulseth and Cowley are an electric 1-2 punch scoring wise and could lead the Jets to a very deep run in March. Things are setting up for a battle between Manitowoc Lutheran and Roncalli to meet in a sectional semi-final which is a rather intriguing matchup. Roncalli last won the state championship in division four upsetting Milwaukee Academy of Science.    Manitowoc Lutheran   Notable Wins: Bonduel, Elkhart Lake- Glenbeulah, Kiel   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2386216' first='Will' last='Franzen'] (6-2 Sr.) 13.4ppg, 5.1rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2499881' first='Wesley' last='Hecker'] (6-0 Sr.) 11.8ppg, 5.0apg, 5.0rpg.    Notes: Lutheran is a hard nosed, tough team that competes with intensity on the defensive end. They are holding opponents to 47.8ppg including most recently when they beat previously undefeated Bonduel. Lutheran runs a sort of a back screen, continuous offense where they can get layups on rip cuts and open threes. Manitowoc Lutheran has never made the state tournament and are poised to make a deep run in late February/ early March.    Sleeper: Dominican 8-9   Notable Wins: Brown Deer, New Berlin West   Notable Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zeak' last='Jones'] (6'4 So. #6 in 2027 class ) 27.1ppg, 6.2rpg, Demetrius Taylor (5'9 Sr.)12.4ppg, 3.9apg, 5.0rpg, [player_tooltip player_id='2728593' first='Amare' last='Nixon'] (6'4 Sr.) 10.0ppg, 4.2rpg   Notes: Dominican plays a brutal schedule in their conference schedule and non conference schedule. In addition to beating Brown Deer and New Berlin West, the Knights have narrowingly lost to Pewaukee, Oshkosh North, Nicolet and St. Cat's. Nick Ford is an excellent coach and will have his team ready to go in the playoffs. The Knights are led by sensational junior [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zeak' last='Jones'] who recently moved up to #6 in the Prep Hoops Rankings. Jones has offers from Bethune-Cookman, Green Bay, La Salle, Northwestern State, Wyoming, Queens, Eastern Illinois. Jones' stock will continue to rise this summer as he competes for Power 5. I would highlight Dominican as a team to advance in your high school brackets in March. Sectional 4 Prediction: Milwaukee Juneau over Manitowoc Lutheran   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">State Tournament Prediction</h2>   State Tournament Prediction   #1 Milwaukee Juneau over #4 Regis   #2 Darlington over #3 Iola-Scandanvia    Milwaukee Juneau over Darlington for the Division 4 State Championship.

This is the 2nd article of five that will come out predicting the playoff results and state tournament field. Today, we will preview the Division 4 contenders and sleepers. Let's get to it!