Rapid Reaction: Miller, Pickarts pick 2027 state tournament field

The WIAA today released the sectional placements for the 2026-2027 high school boys' basketball season. This year's pairings came out a little bit later than usual, but on June 29th, we have them and Mark Miller and I are ready to make our summer predictions for next year's state tournament in Madison. The list of assignments can be found at the links below:   <a href="https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Basketball_Boys/2027/2026-27%20D1%20Boys%20Basketball%20Assignments.pdf" id="https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Basketball_Boys/2027/2026-27%20D1%20Boys%20Basketball%20Assignments.pdf">Division 1</a>   <a href="https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Basketball_Boys/2027/2026-27%20D2%20Boys%20Basketball%20Assignments.pdf">Division 2</a>   <a href="https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Basketball_Boys/2027/2026-27%20D3%20Boys%20Basketball%20Assignments.pdf">Division 3</a>   <a href="https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Basketball_Boys/2027/2026-27%20D4%20Boys%20Basketball%20Assignments.pdf">Division 4</a>   <a href="https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Sports/Basketball_Boys/2027/2026-27%20D5%20Boys%20Basketball%20Assignments.pdf">Division 5</a>   Miller and Pickarts Predictions Division 1   Sectional 1   Mark Miller: Kaukauna - The Ghosts lead a very talented group of contenders in this sectional as De Pere, D.C. Everest, Kimberly and Stevens Point also figure to have quality teams. But nobody shoots the ball better or has a better lead guard than Kaukauna as [player_tooltip player_id='2412456' first='Tyler' last='Schwalbach'] directs the offense and [player_tooltip player_id='2399831' first='Josh' last='Carl'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2402510' first='Drew' last='Bowers'], among others, launch accurate three-point boms. Guard play wins in March, and the Ghosts have the goods in that area.   Brett Pickarts: Stevens Point - [player_tooltip player_id='2729632' first='Sam' last='Kornowski'], [player_tooltip player_id='2473025' first='Jackson' last='Bouressa'], [player_tooltip player_id='2615519' first='Trent' last='Chandonais'], are big parts of the SPASH lineup with other important role players and newcomers like [player_tooltip player_id='2436994' first='Keegan' last='Krull'] send the squad to the state tournament.   Sectional 2   Mark Miller: Neenah - Few, if any, teams in Wisconsin boast the senior depth, senior leadership and senior experience of Neenah. The Rockets may lack a true go-to scorer, but any number of players on coach Lee Rabas' roster can get you double figures on any given night. And one thing you can depend on with the Rockets each time out is the desire to play winning defense.   Brett Pickarts: Brookfield East - The talented youth movement led by star [player_tooltip player_id='2853467' first='Max' last='McMullen'] and the expertise of coach Joe Rux helps the Spartans getting to the Kohl Center.   Sectional 3   Mark Miller: Monona Grove - The Silver Eagles of the Badger Large Conference will have some landmines to navigate in this sectional as all 10 teams from the Big Eight Conference are in the field. Monona Grove boasts tremendous depth, good experience, excellent size and a healthy [player_tooltip player_id='2140876' first='Austin' last='Luchetti'], a NCAA Division I prospect who missed last season with an injury. That could very well be enough to get the Silver Eagles over the hump.   Brett Pickarts: Verona- It won't be easy in the "Big 8" Sectional but the Wildcats, behind the superstar power of NIU commit [player_tooltip player_id='2505503' first='Will' last='Stremlow'], make a short trip down the beltline to Madison in March.   Sectional 4   Mark Miller: Wisconsin Lutheran - Duke-bound [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'] teams with younger brothers Kinston and Kash, rugged senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2839409' first='Jamail' last='Sewell'] and talented senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2412809' first='Riley' last='Walz'] to form yet another formidable team at Wisconsin Lutheran. The Vikings have won 88 of 90 games and three state titles over the past three seasons.   Brett Pickarts: Wisconsin Lutheran - Not a shocking prediction by any means, but too much star power as Wisconsin Lutheran will not lose a game again this season.   State Champion:   Mark Miller: Wisconsin Lutheran over Neenah   Brett Pickarts: Wisconsin Lutheran over Verona   Division 2   Sectional 1   Mark Miller: La Crosse Central -- The Riverhawks have the recipe for success with four senior starters back from a club that finished 22-5. [player_tooltip player_id='2226077' first='Gabe' last='Servais'] is a four-year varsity performer for coach Todd Fergot while [player_tooltip player_id='2481761' first='Anthony' last='Jones'] is one of the better all-around players in the Mississippi Valley Conference. As many as eight seniors could earn a spot on the Riverhawks' roster in 2026-27 and that type of experience can lead to highly successful results.   Brett Pickarts: DeForest -The Badger Large Conference might be as good as ever this year, but DeFo has a ton of talent led by sensational sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2402423' first='Ben' last='Pritzl']   Sectional 2   Mark Miller: Slinger - The Owls have some unfinished business after falling to Whitefish Bay in the Division 2 title game last March. Iowa State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] comprise one of the top one-two scoring punches in Wisconsin. Finding the right combination of players to surround the Kohnen Brothers is the challenge for coach Alex Lavine, who must replace three starters.   Brett Pickarts: Slinge - Coach Alex Lavine makes back-to-back appearances at the state tournament with the dynamic duo of Jack and [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'].   Sectional 3   Mark Miller: Wauwatosa West - The Trojans won the Division 2 state title in 2025 and could make it two-out-of-three in the state-crown department this winter. A talented returning core includes Wisconsin recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], sharpshooting senior [player_tooltip player_id='2423561' first='Max' last='Gogin'] and vastly improved senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2642391' first='Kason' last='Mangum'].   Brett Pickarts: Wauwatosa West- Wisconsin commit [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] leads a talented group of seniors back to the Kohl Center on a quest for his second championship in high school.   Sectional 4   Mark Miller: Wauwatosa East - Whitefish Bay has a nice returning nucleus, to be sure. And picking against the defending state champions may not be wise. But I have really liked what I've watched out of Wauwatosa East this summer. The Trojans have an experienced, hungry squad led by senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1900422' first='Donovan' last='Calloway'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140973' first='Parker' last='Mitchell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2404032' first='Jack' last='Clark'].   Brett Pickarts: Whitefish Bay- The Blue Dukes are defending champions and will have to go though Tosa East and Pius among others, but [player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien'] is a star supported by a talented backcourt and role players.   State Champion:   Mark Miller: Wauwatosa West over Slinger   Brett Pickarts: Wauwatosa West over Slinger   Division 3   Sectional 1   Mark Miller: West Salem - The Panthers move from Division 2 to Division 3 due to a slight enrollment drop. But there is no drop in talent within the West Salem program. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2434284' first='Drew' last='McConkey'] leads a balanced team with any number of players capable of having big offensive outings on any given night. West Salem has played in the state tournament in four of the past five seasons.   Brett Pickarts: Altoona - Behind the strong play of [player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'], Altoona gets to the state tournament for the first time in 21 years.   Sectional 2   Mark Miller: Freedom - Another potential showdown between Seymour and Freedom looms in this sectional with others -- Little Chute, Brillion, Winneconne and Xavier -- also playing a big role. But Freedom has one thing all the others do not -- a talented 6-foot-8 senior forward in [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis']. The Iowa State recruit is on a mission to win a state crown for the Irish in his fourth and final season wearing the uniform.   Brett Pickarts: Freedom - Iowa State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] gets redemption in his senior year to get back to Madison with an experienced Irish squad.   Sectional 3   Mark Miller: East Troy - The Trojans won the Valley Division title of the Rock Valley Conference a year ago and return four key performers from that squad in [player_tooltip player_id='2438999' first='Cameron' last='Polvi'], [player_tooltip player_id='2834838' first='Connor' last='Sickler'], [player_tooltip player_id='2635465' first='Brayden' last='Golabowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2919477' first='Mason' last='Phillips'].   Brett Pickarts: Lake Mills - Head Coach Steve Hicklin and multi-sport standout [player_tooltip player_id='2346694' first='Tyler' last='Wollin'], a good combination for winning basketball in March.   Sectional 4   Mark Miller: Racine Lutheran -- Defense wins championships and the Crusaders could emerge as the sectional winners behind the strong defensive efforts of senior twins [player_tooltip player_id='2140959' first='Michael' last='Pratt-Hassan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2428823' first='Mikhi' last='Pratt-Hassan']. Gifted offensive players [player_tooltip player_id='2365287' first='Trenton' last='House'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2398434' first='Bryce' last='Austin'] also return for the team many expect to win the Metro Classic Conference crown.   Brett Pickarts: Dominican - The strong play of [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zeak' last='Jones'] and other talented players for the Knights leads them back to Madison for the first time since 2016.   State Champion:   Mark Miller: Freedom over Racine Lutheran   Brett Pickarts: Freedom over Dominican   Division 4   Sectional 1   Mark Miller: Fall Creek - The Crickets' attributes include size, experience, balance and talent. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2391346' first='Miles' last='Schmidgall'], [player_tooltip player_id='2405803' first='Jackson' last='Tangley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3019927' first='Josh' last='Wright'] are returning regulars from a squad that tied Regis for the Western Cloverbelt Conference title. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019933' first='Bryson' last='Elkins'] and Sawyer Rokus figure to take big steps forward in their development after being key reserves last winter on a team that finished 22-4.   Brett Pickarts: Fall Creek - [player_tooltip player_id='2391346' first='Miles' last='Schmidgall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2405803' first='Jackson' last='Tangley'] are back for the Crickets, as they will look to hop down to Madison on a quest for the Gold Ball.   Sectional 2   Mark Miller: St. Mary Catholic - This is a wild sectional. You have teams from the Fox Valley in the same field as teams from the Eau Claire area. Any number of squads in this grouping could advance to state, but I like a St. Mary Catholic program that features plenty of length, bulk and long-range shooting. If the Zephyrs can shore up their defense, they can head back to Madison for the first time since 2023.   Brett Pickarts: Stanley-Boyd - The Orioles benefit from a move down to Division four, as [player_tooltip player_id='2411648' first='Charlie' last='Hoel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2696683' first='Josiah' last='Demske'] lead a massive front court for S-B who are seeking their first state tournament appearance in school history.   Sectional 3   Mark Miller: Darlington -- The combination of senior Zeke Zubuerbuhler and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2369903' first='Ryder' last='Fitzsimons'] is formidable and might be too much for others in this talented sectional field to handle. Both players can do damage from any number of spots on the floor and their physical strength often overpowers opponents.   Brett Pickarts: Marshall - [player_tooltip player_id='2423549' first='Jaylen' last='Miggins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2450160' first='Lavonte' last='Johnson'] make a deadly dynamic duo in Division Four.   Sectional 4   Mark Miller: Milwaukee Juneau -- The state's best player -- Gonzaga recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] -- headlines the list of returning players for the defending Division 4 state champions. Look for junior [player_tooltip player_id='2530851' first='Corey' last='Collins'] to take a giant step forward in his progression and have a huge season for the Pioneers.   Brett Pickarts: Roncalli - [player_tooltip player_id='2615537' first='Tre' last='Cliff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2416199' first='Maddix' last='Gulseth'] are a great backcourt duo for a program with a ton of recent history at the state tournament.   State Champion:   Mark Miller: Fall Creek over Milwaukee Juneau   Brett Pickarts: Stanley-Boyd over Fall Creek   Division 5   Sectional 1   Mark Miller: Columbus Catholic - One of the Cadillac programs among smaller schools in Wisconsin, the Dons return plenty of experience, a good deal of skill and some size. In addition, coach Joe Konieczny has a very deep squad that figures to include two talented freshmen in the playing rotation.   Brett Pickarts: Drummond - The top five scorers return for the Lumberjacks in a wide open sectional.   Sectional 2   Mark Miller: Tigerton - This is a wide-open sectional with no prohibitive favorite. Tigerton won 28 of 29 games a year ago and returns its best player in 6-foot-10 senior [player_tooltip player_id='2382317' first='James' last='Brady']. But the other four starters from that group graduated, leaving coach Dan Hoffa with plenty of holes to fill in his lineup. The JV1 team went 19-4 and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3178828' first='Cameron' last='Carlson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3022562' first='Izaiah' last='Lederhaus'] each played key roles off the bench so there are viable options.   Brett Pickarts: Wabeno/Laona - The Rebels bring back a lot of scoring with [player_tooltip player_id='2634236' first='Canton' last='Chrisman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2634239' first='Cooper' last='Albrecht'] to help get them to the Kohl Center.   Sectional 3   Mark Miller: Belmont - Lots to like about Belmont as they have size, skill and desire to take the program to new heights. [player_tooltip player_id='2802443' first='Thomas' last='Freeman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2815729' first='Wyatt' last='Temperly'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2798060' first='Boone' last='Havens'] are as good a trio as you'll find among all 128 Division 5 programs in the state.   Brett Pickarts: Belmont- [player_tooltip player_id='2802443' first='Thomas' last='Freeman'] leads a squad of veterans back for the Braves as they seek their first state tournament appearance.   Sectional 4   Mark Miller: Pecatonica -- The Vikings are led by prolific guard [player_tooltip player_id='2621236' first='Griffin' last='Noll'], but also return three additional starters in [player_tooltip player_id='3021686' first='Brock' last='Erickson'], Martin Anderson and [player_tooltip player_id='3021685' first='Luke' last='Leonard']. Noll can put up huge numbers and is a tough matchup for opponents due to his size (6-3), length and versatility.   Brett Pickarts: Sheboygan Lutheran: [player_tooltip player_id='2562463' first='McCoy' last='Michael'], [player_tooltip player_id='2509476' first='Oliver' last='Leibham'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2828754' first='Ben' last='Verhagen'] are among key pieces back for the Crusaders who have a rich tradition of getting to Madison.   State Champion Prediction:   Mark Miller: Columbus Catholic over Belmont   Brett Pickarts: Sheboygan Lutheran over Belmont

The WIAA today released the sectional placements for the 2026-2027 high school boys' basketball season. This year's pairings came out a little bit later than usual, but on June 29th, we have them and Mark Miller and I are ready to make our summer predictions for next year's state tournament in Madison. The list of assignments can be found at the links below: