Division 1, Sectional 1: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An almost even split of teams from the Big Rivers, Fox River Classic, Fox Valley Association and Wisconsin Valley conferences comprise the bulk of the 17 teams placed in Sectional 1 of Division 1 for the 2026-27 season. There might not be a clear-cut favorite as we look ahead to the new campaign, but several programs are probably very optimistic about their chances of getting to the Kohl Center for the WIAA State Tournament. <br><br>Following is a quick look at the top teams and the top players for Sectional 1:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Five Players in Sectional 1</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'], 6-5, Sr., G/F, De Pere<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140869' first='Alex' last='Krause'], 6-5, Sr., G/F, Kimberly<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2628474' first='Ransom' last='Dickerson'], 6-5, Sr., G/F, D.C. Everest<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2618950' first='Silas' last='Cohen'], 6-3, Jr., G, De Pere<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2412456' first='Tyler' last='Schwalbach'], 6-3, Jr., G, Kaukauna<br><br><strong>Five Breakout Performers in Sectional 1</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2729632' first='Sam' last='Kornowski'], 6-3, Jr., G, Stevens Point<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3684005' first='Keegan' last='Krull'], 6-0, Frosh., PG, Stevens Point<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2402510' first='Drew' last='Bowers'], 6-2, Soph., G, Kaukauna<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2409572' first='Jaxson' last='Wyngaard'], 6-1, Jr., G, Kimberly<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3102491' first='Evan' last='Ryan'], 6-4, Jr., F, Appleton North<br><br><strong>Top Five Teams in Sectional 1</strong><br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/de-pere/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/de-pere/">1. De Pere</a></strong> -- The Redbirds win. Every year. And they win big. That figures to be the case again as coach Brian Winchester has a deep, talented and versatile squad led by the tandem of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2618950' first='Silas' last='Cohen'], two players who will play college basketball at the scholarship level in the near future. <br><br><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/kaukauna/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/kaukauna/"><strong>2. Kaukauna</strong> </a>-- Like De Pere, Kaukauna is a tradition-rich program with lots of skill, lots of stellar guard play and lots of desire to win the Fox Valley Association title and make a run in the playoffs. Second-year coach Ryan Bowers has three stellar guards who figure to make plenty of big plays next winter in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2399831' first='Josh' last='Carl'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='2412456' first='Tyler' last='Schwalbach'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2402510' first='Drew' last='Bowers']. There might not be a better shooting team from deep in the state than Kaukauna as several players can light it up from deep.<br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/stevens-point/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/stevens-point/">3. Stevens Point</a></strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/stevens-point/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/stevens-point/"><strong> </strong></a>-- The Panthers have more size and, perhaps, more depth than most of the teams in Sectional 1. They also boast plenty of experience and one of the best incoming frosh players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='3684005' first='Keegan' last='Krull'], a dynamic 6-foot-0 point guard and the son of Stevens Point [player_tooltip player_id='2615519' first='Trent' last='Chandonais'], [player_tooltip player_id='2729632' first='Sam' last='Kornowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2473025' first='Jackson' last='Bouressa'] are returning starters while senior [player_tooltip player_id='2508649' first='Jayden' last='Suehs'] provides plenty of protection near the basket thanks to his 7-foot-0 size. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/kimberly/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/kimberly/">4. Kimberly </a></strong>-- With junior [player_tooltip player_id='2409572' first='Jaxson' last='Wyngaard'] and his picturesque jump shot leading the way, the Papermakers look to push Kaukauna and Neenah, among others, in the Fox Valley Association. Wyngaard figures to get plenty of help from standout senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2140869' first='Alex' last='Krause'] and emerging senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140900' first='Cayden' last='Vosters']. A big X-factor for coach Kam Cerroni's squad will be the play of physical 6-foot-8 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2386798' first='Bo' last='Grabner']. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/d-c-everest/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/d-c-everest/">5. D.C. Everest</a></strong> -- Along with Stevens Point, D.C. Everest looms as a title contender in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. Although the Evergreens will miss the double-figure production of the graduated Cade Felch and Xavier Edwards, second-year coach Jake Schwalow does welcome back three starters from a 22-4 squad in [player_tooltip player_id='2628474' first='Ransom' last='Dickerson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2509452' first='Vander' last='Truax'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2847551' first='Luke' last='Auner']. <br><br><strong>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/bay-port/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/bay-port/">Bay Port </a></strong>-- The Pirates won 18 games last season, but coach Nate Rykal lost five key contributors to graduation. Nonetheless, Bay Port boasts one of the top frontline players in Sectional 1 in rugged senior [player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'], a 6-foot-9 bruiser who averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds as a junior. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2852041' first='Hudson' last='Finlan'], [player_tooltip player_id='2852036' first='Kamden' last='Finlan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2404834' first='Carson' last='Roland'] will take on bigger roles as will sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2386506' first='Jackson' last='Rykal'] and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2828764' first='Traverse' last='Emery'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->