Predictions and thoughts on D1-D2 sectional semifinals

Some thoughts and my predictions for the boys' basketball sectional semifinal games at the Divisions 1-2 levels set for Thursday across the state. Predictions Results To Date Division 1 -- 47-9 (84 percent) Division 2 -- 62-11 (85 percent) Division 3 -- 67-17 (80 percent) Division 4 -- 66-18 (80 percent) Division 5 -- 96-14 (87 percent) TOTAL -- 338-67 (83 percent) DIVISION 1 Sectional 1 #9 Neenah (17-9) vs. #4 Kaukauna (23-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at Kimberly Kaukauna swept Neenah in Fox Valley Association action, winning by two in early January in Neenah and by 13 at Neenah in February. Kaukauna has the edge in the paint with De Paul recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'] (6-9), who can score and is an elite-level rebounder. Neenah posted impressive road wins over Hudson and top-seeded D.C. Everest at the regional level. My Pick: Kaukauna. #3 Marshfield (21-5) vs. #2 Appleton North (22-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at Stevens Point The health of Appleton North senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'] is a bit of an issue, but Ramus did play in both regional wins for the Lightning. With Ramus on the floor with fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1561879' first='Will' last='Sweeney'], along with talented sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2447768' first='Matt' last='Rosplochowski'], Appleton North rates as the favorite. But Marshfield is central Wisconsin's version of Neenah ... meaning the Tigers usually play their best basketball in March. My Pick: Appleton North. Sectional 2 #1 De Pere (23-3) vs. #5 Germantown (17-9), 7 p.m. Thursday at Sheboygan North De Pere has relied on a balanced scoring attack, its impressive defense and its culture to have yet another enormously successful season, even after the graduation loss of Zach Kinziger, now playing at the University of Wisconsin. Germantown played well in regional wins over Green Bay Preble and Hartford, and the Warhawks boast an explosive player in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2116495' first='Cahlil' last='Jones']. Still, the Warhawks have been inconsistent for much of the season. My Pick: De Pere. #3 Brookfield East (21-5) vs. #10 Oshkosh North (20-6), 7 p.m. Thursday at Hartford Brookfield East has won six of its past seven outings and is getting major production from [player_tooltip player_id='2500059' first='Zeke' last='Sawall'], [player_tooltip player_id='2492552' first='TJ' last='Platz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2853467' first='Max' last='McMullen']. The Spartans shared the Greater Metro Conference title with Brookfield Central, Wauwatosa West and Germantown, and now face an Oshkosh North squad that won at Bay Port and at Classic Eight Conference-champion Arrowhead at the regional level. Brookfield East's ability to make three-point shots might be the difference against Oshkosh North's 1-3-1 zone defense. My Pick: Brookfield East. Sectional 3 #1 Madison Memorial (24-2) vs. #5 Middleton (22-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at De Forest Middleton comes at you with waves of guys playing full-court pressure defense. And the Cardinals do it the entire game. That wears on a lot of opponents. These two teams tied for the Big Eight Conference championship and split during the regular season. How well Madison Memorial takes care of the ball against Middleton's relentless pressure likely decides this one. My Pick: Madison Memorial. #2 Beloit Memorial (24-2) vs. #3 Verona (21-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at Oregon Beloit Memorial shared the Southern Lakes Conference title with Waterford and beat former Big Eight rival Madison La Follette in the regional final. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561889' first='Amare' last='Hereford'] (6-2) is averaging 37.1 points per game and is a finalist for the Mr. Basketball award. Verona has plenty of firepower of its own, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='2401404' first='Owen' last='Ayite-Atayi'] (19.4 ppg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2505503' first='Will' last='Stremlow'] (21.0 ppg). My Pick: Verona. Sectional 4 #1 Wisconsin Lutheran (26-0) vs. #4 Milwaukee Hamilton (18-8), 7 p.m. Thursday at Whitefish Bay Wisconsin Lutheran crushed Kenosha Tremper and Oak Creek in regional play and takes an unbeaten record into the matchup with Milwaukee Hamilton. Wisconsin Lutheran won the D2 state title in 2024 and the D1 crown in 2025. The Vikings are favored to win a third consecutive crown, but will have to get by one of the better teams from the Milwaukee City Conference in Milwaukee Hamilton. My Pick: Wisconsin Lutheran. #3 Racine Case (21-5) vs. #10 Muskego (13-12), 7 p.m. Thursday at Waukesha South Without question, Muskego is the biggest surprise team in D1 as the Warriors upset highly regarded West Allis Central on the road in the regional final after getting past Racine Park 75-74 in the regional semifinal. Muskego faces one of the better teams in southeast Wisconsin in Racine Case, one of three city teams involved in sectional play along with D3 powers Racine Lutheran and Racine St. Catherine's. My Pick: Racine Case. DIVISION 2 Sectional 1 #4 New Richmond (16-9) vs. #3 Menomonie (18-8), 7 p.m. Thursday at Hudson Menomonie swept New Richmond during Big Rivers Conference play, winning 77-64 in early January in Menomonie and then posting a 75-57 victory at New Richmond on February 13. Menomonie upset top-seeded Rhinelander 65-51 in the regional final behind 23 points and nine rebounds from improved junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'] (6-8). New Richmond beat River Falls on the road in its regional final, winning the rubber match between the two league rivals. My Pick: New Richmond. #4 West Salem (22-4) vs. #2 La Crosse Central (22-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at La Crosse Logan West Salem lost to Onalaska during the regular season, 81-66, and then got some revenge by nipping the Hilltoppers, 50-48, in the regional final. The Panthers also lost to La Crosse Central 68-50 just a few weeks ago. Can West Salem turn the tables on yet another Mississippi Valley Conference team in the sectional semifinals? It's a tall ask, but anything is possible in March and West Salem has the weapons to make it interesting. Still, La Crosse Central defends at a very high level, which will make it more of a half-court contest. My Pick: La Crosse Central. Sectional 2 #1 Notre Dame (20-6) vs. #2 West DePere (20-6), 7 p.m. Thursday at Manitowoc Lincoln The rivalry between these two schools is maybe on the young side with West DePere joining Notre Dame in the Fox River Classic Conference this season. But it runs deep. The players know each other, they two teams split during the regular season, and West DePere beat Notre Dame in the WIAA Division 3 state football final last November. This is a toss-up game of major proportions and likely goes down the final minute. My Pick: Notre Dame. #1 Port Washington (25-1) vs. #2 Slinger (22-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedarburg Port Washington earned the No. 1 ranking among Division 2 schools during the regular season, but that won't matter all that much when these two square off at the sectional level. Slinger has the star power with future NCAA Division I brothers [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] leading the way. But Port Washington beat Slinger during the regular season and has plenty of firepower as well, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='2303643' first='Cal' last='Loose']. Port Washington has won 23 games in a row, including that 57-56 win at Slinger on January 6. My Pick: Slinger. Sectional 3 #1 New Berlin West (23-3) vs. #3 Wauwatosa West (20-6), 7 p.m. Thursday at Waukesha North Another great matchup between two stellar teams. Wauwatosa West is the defending WIAA Division 2 state champion and features two future NCAA Division I players in Green Bay recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1561869' first='Matthew' last='Kloskey'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], who has a large list of offers, including Wisconsin. New Berlin West has two of the top long-distance shooters in the state in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'] and junior Joyce Cook. If New Berlin West can hold its own on the glass, the Vikings can certainly advance. But Wauwatosa West attacks the basket very well and has its own snipers from downtown in Brown and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2423561' first='Max' last='Gogin']. My Pick: Wauwatosa West. #1 McFarland (21-5) vs. #2 Mount Horeb (21-5), 7 p.m. Thursday at Evansville McFarland, Mount Horeb and Sauk Prairie tied for the Badger Small Conference title and now McFarland and Mount Horeb get to meet for a third time in the sectional semifinals after the two powerhouse teams split during the regular season. McFarland has the best big man on the floor in junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] (6-8) while Mount Horeb has the best guard on the court in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'] (6-3). This one could come down to how well the players surrounding those two stars play. My Pick: Mount Horeb. Sectional 4 #1 Whitefish Bay (20-6) vs. #3 Milwaukee Academy of Science (12-14), 7 p.m. Thursday at Brown Deer Whitefish Bay comes into the contest battle tested as the Blue Dukes compete in the North Shore Conference and thus have teams like Slinger, Nicolet, Hartford and Homestead twice each. Whitefish Bay boasts stellar backcourt play with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien'] ranking among the elite in the state in their respective classes. Milwaukee Academy of Science won the Division 3 state title last March and is playing up due to the WIAA's success formula. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3218220' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown'] is a potential Division I recruit for MAS while senior [player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'] brings stellar experience and court savvy to the game. MAS was forced to forfeit seven wins due a mix-up of WIAA rules. My Pick: Whitefish Bay. #1 Waterford (23-3) vs. #7 Burlington (17-10), 7 p.m. Thursday at Kettle Moraine Burlington was seeded too low in this sectional so it was not surprising the Demons went on the road to win regional outings over Martin Luther and Greenfield. Still, coach Kyle Scott's team faces a more formidable foe at the sectional level in Waterford. But it's a team Burlington knows well as both schools are members of the Southern Lakes Conference. Waterford swept the two-game series with Burlington, winning each game by nine points. Can the Wolverines beat Burlington for a third time? My Pick: Waterford.

Some thoughts and my predictions for the boys' basketball sectional semifinal games at the Divisions 1-2 levels set for Thursday across the state.

Predictions Results To Date
Division 1 -- 47-9 (84 percent)
Division 2 -- 62-11 (85 percent)
Division 3 -- 67-17 (80 percent)
Division 4 -- 66-18 (80 percent)
Division 5 -- 96-14 (87 percent)
TOTAL -- 338-67 (83 percent)

DIVISION 1

Sectional 1

#9 Neenah (17-9) vs. #4 Kaukauna (23-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at Kimberly
Kaukauna swept Neenah in Fox Valley Association action, winning by two in early January in Neenah and by 13 at Neenah in February. Kaukauna has the edge in the paint with De Paul recruit Andrew Jensen Andrew Jensen 6'9" | PF Kaukauna | 2026 State WI (6-9), who can score and is an elite-level rebounder. Neenah posted impressive road wins over Hudson and top-seeded D.C. Everest at the regional level. My Pick: Kaukauna.

#3 Marshfield (21-5) vs. #2 Appleton North (22-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at Stevens Point
The health of Appleton North senior Nathan Ramus Nathan Ramus 6'2" | PG/SG Appleton North | 2026 State WI is a bit of an issue, but Ramus did play in both regional wins for the Lightning. With Ramus on the floor with fellow seniors Grant Hardy Grant Hardy 6'4" | SF/SG Appleton North | 2026 State WI and Will Sweeney Will Sweeney 5'10" | PG Appleton North | 2026 State WI , along with talented sophomore Matt Rosplochowski Matt Rosplochowski 6'1" | SG/PG Appleton North | 2028 State WI , Appleton North rates as the favorite. But Marshfield is central Wisconsin's version of Neenah ... meaning the Tigers usually play their best basketball in March. My Pick: Appleton North.

Sectional 2

#1 De Pere (23-3) vs. #5 Germantown (17-9), 7 p.m. Thursday at Sheboygan North
De Pere has relied on a balanced scoring attack, its impressive defense and its culture to have yet another enormously successful season, even after the graduation loss of Zach Kinziger, now playing at the University of Wisconsin. Germantown played well in regional wins over Green Bay Preble and Hartford, and the Warhawks boast an explosive player in senior Cahlil Jones Cahlil Jones 6'3" | SG Germantown | 2026 State WI . Still, the Warhawks have been inconsistent for much of the season. My Pick: De Pere.

#3 Brookfield East (21-5) vs. #10 Oshkosh North (20-6), 7 p.m. Thursday at Hartford
Brookfield East has won six of its past seven outings and is getting major production from Zeke Sawall Zeke Sawall 6'4" | SF Brookfield East | 2026 State WI , TJ Platz TJ Platz 6'3" | SG/PG Brookfield East | 2026 State WI and Max McMullen Max McMullen 6'0" | PG Brookfield East | 2029 State WI . The Spartans shared the Greater Metro Conference title with Brookfield Central, Wauwatosa West and Germantown, and now face an Oshkosh North squad that won at Bay Port and at Classic Eight Conference-champion Arrowhead at the regional level. Brookfield East's ability to make three-point shots might be the difference against Oshkosh North's 1-3-1 zone defense. My Pick: Brookfield East.

Sectional 3

#1 Madison Memorial (24-2) vs. #5 Middleton (22-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at De Forest
Middleton comes at you with waves of guys playing full-court pressure defense. And the Cardinals do it the entire game. That wears on a lot of opponents. These two teams tied for the Big Eight Conference championship and split during the regular season. How well Madison Memorial takes care of the ball against Middleton's relentless pressure likely decides this one. My Pick: Madison Memorial.

#2 Beloit Memorial (24-2) vs. #3 Verona (21-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at Oregon
Beloit Memorial shared the Southern Lakes Conference title with Waterford and beat former Big Eight rival Madison La Follette in the regional final. Senior Amare Hereford Amare Hereford 6'2" | PG Beloit Memorial | 2026 State WI (6-2) is averaging 37.1 points per game and is a finalist for the Mr. Basketball award. Verona has plenty of firepower of its own, led by senior Owen Ayite-Atayi Owen Ayite-Atayi 6'3" | SG Verona | 2026 State WI (19.4 ppg) and junior Will Stremlow Will Stremlow 6'2" | CG Verona | 2027 State WI (21.0 ppg). My Pick: Verona.

Sectional 4

#1 Wisconsin Lutheran (26-0) vs. #4 Milwaukee Hamilton (18-8), 7 p.m. Thursday at Whitefish Bay
Wisconsin Lutheran crushed Kenosha Tremper and Oak Creek in regional play and takes an unbeaten record into the matchup with Milwaukee Hamilton. Wisconsin Lutheran won the D2 state title in 2024 and the D1 crown in 2025. The Vikings are favored to win a third consecutive crown, but will have to get by one of the better teams from the Milwaukee City Conference in Milwaukee Hamilton. My Pick: Wisconsin Lutheran.

#3 Racine Case (21-5) vs. #10 Muskego (13-12), 7 p.m. Thursday at Waukesha South
Without question, Muskego is the biggest surprise team in D1 as the Warriors upset highly regarded West Allis Central on the road in the regional final after getting past Racine Park 75-74 in the regional semifinal. Muskego faces one of the better teams in southeast Wisconsin in Racine Case, one of three city teams involved in sectional play along with D3 powers Racine Lutheran and Racine St. Catherine's. My Pick: Racine Case.

DIVISION 2

Sectional 1

#4 New Richmond (16-9) vs. #3 Menomonie (18-8), 7 p.m. Thursday at Hudson
Menomonie swept New Richmond during Big Rivers Conference play, winning 77-64 in early January in Menomonie and then posting a 75-57 victory at New Richmond on February 13. Menomonie upset top-seeded Rhinelander 65-51 in the regional final behind 23 points and nine rebounds from improved junior big man Trevor Robert Trevor Robert 6'8" | SF Menomonie | 2027 State WI (6-8). New Richmond beat River Falls on the road in its regional final, winning the rubber match between the two league rivals. My Pick: New Richmond.

#4 West Salem (22-4) vs. #2 La Crosse Central (22-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at La Crosse Logan
West Salem lost to Onalaska during the regular season, 81-66, and then got some revenge by nipping the Hilltoppers, 50-48, in the regional final. The Panthers also lost to La Crosse Central 68-50 just a few weeks ago. Can West Salem turn the tables on yet another Mississippi Valley Conference team in the sectional semifinals? It's a tall ask, but anything is possible in March and West Salem has the weapons to make it interesting. Still, La Crosse Central defends at a very high level, which will make it more of a half-court contest. My Pick: La Crosse Central.

Sectional 2

#1 Notre Dame (20-6) vs. #2 West DePere (20-6), 7 p.m. Thursday at Manitowoc Lincoln
The rivalry between these two schools is maybe on the young side with West DePere joining Notre Dame in the Fox River Classic Conference this season. But it runs deep. The players know each other, they two teams split during the regular season, and West DePere beat Notre Dame in the WIAA Division 3 state football final last November. This is a toss-up game of major proportions and likely goes down the final minute. My Pick: Notre Dame.

#1 Port Washington (25-1) vs. #2 Slinger (22-4), 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedarburg
Port Washington earned the No. 1 ranking among Division 2 schools during the regular season, but that won't matter all that much when these two square off at the sectional level. Slinger has the star power with future NCAA Division I brothers Jack Kohnen Jack Kohnen 6'6" | SF Slinger | 2027 State #43 Nation WI and Joey Kohnen Joey Kohnen 6'5" | SG/SF Slinger | 2028 State WI leading the way. But Port Washington beat Slinger during the regular season and has plenty of firepower as well, led by senior Cal Loose Cal Loose 6'2" | SG Port Washington | 2026 State WI . Port Washington has won 23 games in a row, including that 57-56 win at Slinger on January 6. My Pick: Slinger.

Sectional 3

#1 New Berlin West (23-3) vs. #3 Wauwatosa West (20-6), 7 p.m. Thursday at Waukesha North
Another great matchup between two stellar teams. Wauwatosa West is the defending WIAA Division 2 state champion and features two future NCAA Division I players in Green Bay recruit Matthew Kloskey Matthew Kloskey 6'5" | SF/SG Wauwatosa West | 2026 State WI and junior Jalen Brown Jalen Brown 6'5" | CG Wauwatosa West | 2027 State #64 Nation WI , who has a large list of offers, including Wisconsin. New Berlin West has two of the top long-distance shooters in the state in senior Evan Kern Evan Kern 6'3" | SG New Berlin West | 2026 State WI and junior Joyce Cook. If New Berlin West can hold its own on the glass, the Vikings can certainly advance. But Wauwatosa West attacks the basket very well and has its own snipers from downtown in Brown and junior Max Gogin Max Gogin 5'10" | PG Wauwatosa West | 2027 State WI . My Pick: Wauwatosa West.

#1 McFarland (21-5) vs. #2 Mount Horeb (21-5), 7 p.m. Thursday at Evansville
McFarland, Mount Horeb and Sauk Prairie tied for the Badger Small Conference title and now McFarland and Mount Horeb get to meet for a third time in the sectional semifinals after the two powerhouse teams split during the regular season. McFarland has the best big man on the floor in junior Eli Krueger Eli Krueger 6'9" | PF McFarland | 2027 State WI (6-8) while Mount Horeb has the best guard on the court in senior Josh Manchester Josh Manchester 6'4" | SG Mount Horeb | 2026 State WI (6-3). This one could come down to how well the players surrounding those two stars play. My Pick: Mount Horeb.

Sectional 4

#1 Whitefish Bay (20-6) vs. #3 Milwaukee Academy of Science (12-14), 7 p.m. Thursday at Brown Deer
Whitefish Bay comes into the contest battle tested as the Blue Dukes compete in the North Shore Conference and thus have teams like Slinger, Nicolet, Hartford and Homestead twice each. Whitefish Bay boasts stellar backcourt play with sophomore Mace Miskel Mace Miskel 5'11" | PG Whitefish Bay | 2028 State WI and junior Colin Julien Colin Julien 6'4" | CG Whitefish Bay | 2027 State WI ranking among the elite in the state in their respective classes. Milwaukee Academy of Science won the Division 3 state title last March and is playing up due to the WIAA's success formula. Junior D’Anthony Brown D’Anthony Brown WI is a potential Division I recruit for MAS while senior Jamir Batemon Jamir Batemon 5'10" | PG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2026 State WI brings stellar experience and court savvy to the game. MAS was forced to forfeit seven wins due a mix-up of WIAA rules. My Pick: Whitefish Bay.

#1 Waterford (23-3) vs. #7 Burlington (17-10), 7 p.m. Thursday at Kettle Moraine
Burlington was seeded too low in this sectional so it was not surprising the Demons went on the road to win regional outings over Martin Luther and Greenfield. Still, coach Kyle Scott's team faces a more formidable foe at the sectional level in Waterford. But it's a team Burlington knows well as both schools are members of the Southern Lakes Conference. Waterford swept the two-game series with Burlington, winning each game by nine points. Can the Wolverines beat Burlington for a third time? My Pick: Waterford.