WIAA State Tournament: D1 And D2 X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One potential x-factor from each team in the D1 and D2 state tournaments to know for this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2423225"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69bc00dc4d908"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Though just a sophomore, Braydon is one of those guys who can pop up with a big game at any given moment for McFarland. One night he can hit three or four threes to really help stretch the floor for his team. On another night he can jump passing lanes for 4-5 steals leading to some easy transition buckets. McFarland is coming off of an eye-catching 86-60 win over New Berlin West in sectionals, and a strong performance from Braydon could help them keep that momentum going in Madison.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1874955"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69bc0b7cbbd0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the best shooter on a very talented Slinger team, over half of Brett's made shots this season have come from beyond the arc. In a first round matchup with McFarland, [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger']'s size in the paint could limit Slinger's ability to attack and finish inside. If Brett can get going from three, that should help open things up for his team's offense. He could be a game changer in Friday's semi-final game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3022921"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69bc0b7cbbd6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good luck pointing out a weak link in the Whitefish Bay starting five. They have four players averaging double-figure points this season, and Matt is right behind at 8.8. Despite having a few potential scholarship level teammates, it was Matt who stole the show in the sectional finals against Waterford. The 6'3 wing/forward was slashing to the basket and stretching the floor from three on his way to 20 points in a convincing win. Whitefish Bay doesn't really have a true big, so Matt will often be relied upon to defend opposing size, and we could see him matched up with West Salem's 6'6 [player_tooltip player_id='2423288' first='Tyson' last='Labus'] on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3022872"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69bc0b7cbbdb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">West Salem will be tasked with handling Whitefish Bay's lightning quick backcourt in the semi-finals. They'll need experienced and reliable ball handlers, and that's what Will offers them. The senior guard leads his team in assists at 3.9 per game, and is constantly looking to get his teammates involved. One of those players who doesn't need to shoot to make an impact on a game, and his unselfishness is a key reason why West Salem has four players scoring in double figures this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2412809"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69bc0b7cbbdf4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2412809' first='Riley' last='Walz'] is another player on this list who sacrifices individual numbers for team success. We've seen flashes of him being able to score in bunches as he's an accurate shooter (41% from three), but with all of the talent around him he excels at getting his teammates involved. Riley provides accurate post-entry passes, provides well timed passes to his shooters, and can push the tempo in transition. He just knows how to make winning plays, and is perhaps the unsung hero on this undefeated Wisconsin Lutheran team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561876"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69bc0b7cbbe32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There may not be a team in the state that can match Wisconsin Lutheran's size, so Appleton North will look to Ben to help slow them down inside. At 6'7 with a well-built frame, Ben isn't afraid to play with physicality around the rim. Not only will his low-post defense be key, but they'll look for him to attack missed shots off the rim and limit Wisco's second chance scoring opportunities. From watching him with both his high school and AAU teams, it's obvious that Ben is a competitor, and you can expect to see him go out and compete with toughness and grit on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2618950"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69bc0b7cbbe70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">De Pere has been pumping out college basketball players in recent years, and Silas looks to be their next promising young prospect. Whether he's in the starting five or coming off the bench this season, Silas steps onto the floor looking to make an impact. He has an extremely long and wiry frame that helps him get up in passing lanes and make an impact defensively. On the offensive end he can hit the open three, and is arguably the best creator on his team, leading De Pere with 94 assists this season. He'll look to solidify himself as a name to know in the state's 2028 class with a strong showing this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2045264"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69bc0b7cbbead"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Madison Memorial is one of those teams who have a number of talented options to turn to, and anyone can have a big game on any given night. In the sectional finals it was Ezra who led the way with 22 points, and he'll look to keep that momentum going at state. The honorable mention all-conference selection will be playing D1 baseball at the next level, but is an impressive hooper as well. At 6'5 he has the explosiveness to play above the rim, the strength to finish through contact, and the ability to defend a number of spots on the floor. Him and his twin brother Caleb will look to help take down De Pere in the semi-finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->