Division 1, Sectional 3: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional 3, or better known as the Big Eight Conference Tournament, features all 10 members of the Madison-area loop even though it would be rather easy to switch some of the teams over to Sectional 4 to break up the league a bit like the WIAA has done with the Fox Valley Association, Milwaukee City, Fox River Classic, Greater Metro, Classic Eight and Southern Lakes conferences. In addition to the 10 teams from the Big Eight, several teams from the Badger Large also are placed in Sectional 3, giving the grouping of 16 schools some depth and potential intriguing matchups. <br><br>Following is a quick look at the top players and top teams in Sectional 3:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Five Players in Sectional 3</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2505503' first='Will' last='Stremlow'], 6-4, Sr., G, Verona<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140876' first='Austin' last='Luchetti'], 6-7, Sr., F, Monona Grove<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140977' first='Reece' last='Jordan Jr.'], 6-2, Sr., G, Madison La Follette<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2454321' first='DJ' last='Nash'], 6-3, Sr., G, Madison East<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2615535' first='Corvalis' last='Stewart'], 6-2, Jr., G, Madison West<strong><br><br>Five Breakout Performers in Sectional 3</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2460859' first='KJ' last='Cross Jr'], 6-5, Sr., F, Madison Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2618890' first='Terrin' last='Jackson'], 5-10, Jr., PG, Verona<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2824423' first='Carter' last='Parks'], 6-4, Jr., F, Middleton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140989' first='Wes' last='DuCharme'], 6-4, Sr., G/F, Waunakee<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2369939' first='Jayden' last='Jackson'], 6-8, Soph., F, Monona Grove<strong><br><br>Top Five Teams in Sectional 3</strong><br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/verona/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/verona/">1. Verona</a></strong> -- You'd have to go outside Sectional 3 to find a better guard tandem than [player_tooltip player_id='2505503' first='Will' last='Stremlow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2618890' first='Terrin' last='Jackson'] at Verona. And you might not be able to locate a more impressive backcourt in any other sectional in Wisconsin, regardless of division. Stremlow is a returning first-team all-league performer who is among the leading candidates to be named Player of the Year in the Big Eight. He had an eye-opening spring on the club circuit after a solid junior season at Verona and recently committed to NCAA Division I Northern Illinois. Jackson's quickness, court vision and ability to not turn the ball over as the Wildcats' point guard is a huge asset for coach Curtrel Robinson's program. Other key returning players for Verona include junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2682935' first='Max' last='Crimmings'], junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2430744' first='Deonte' last='Phillips'], senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2140892' first='Caden' last='Jonjak'] and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='3195807' first='Joell' last='Toney']. Verona is the pick to win the Big Eight and the pre-season favorite to win Sectional 3. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/monona-grove/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/monona-grove/">2. Monona Grove</a></strong> -- One of the biggest challenges for long-time Monona Grove coach Dan Zweifel centers around finding enough playing time for the huge stable of quality players in the Silver Eagles' program. Size, experience and depth are all assets for Monona Grove which welcomes back four starters in [player_tooltip player_id='2423093' first='Evan' last='Luchetti'], [player_tooltip player_id='2415931' first='Alex' last='Dean'], [player_tooltip player_id='2915678' first='Luke' last='Chynoweth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2415934' first='Colten' last='Jenkins']. But the top two players for Monona Grove, at least in the view of some, didn't even start a year ago. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2140876' first='Austin' last='Luchetti'] missed last season with an injury, but is healthy again and the 6-foot-7 wing recently committed to join Stremlow at Northern Illinois. The other is promising 6-foot-8 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2369939' first='Jayden' last='Jackson'], regarded by most as one of the state's elite prospects in the 2029 class. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2415933' first='Henry' last='Thome'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2390011' first='Carson' last='Schoenherr'] were key players off the bench last winter while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2369936' first='Mason' last='Wallace'] (6-8) figures to provide even more size and talent along the frontline. If the Silver Eagles can put all the pieces in place, they could emerge as the team to beat not only in the Badger Large, but also in Sectional 3 due to their enormous size. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/middleton/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/middleton/">3. Middleton</a></strong> -- After sharing the Big Eight title with Madison Memorial and winning 22 games, Middleton must replace four starters, including the Big Eight Player of the Year in Jackson Guerrero. Still, this school of more than 2,000 students remains loaded with quality basketball players and is led by junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2824423' first='Carter' last='Parks'], an agile, athletic and strong 6-foot-4 post player who averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds as a sophomore. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3196154' first='Cormac' last='Carlson'] and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3693793' first='Eli' last='Breunig'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3196153' first='Will' last='Russell'] earned playing time as reserves as did emerging sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2396705' first='Parker' last='Klein'], one of the better class of 2029 prospects in Wisconsin. <br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/waunakee/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/waunakee/"><br>4. Waunakee</a></strong> -- Athleticism, competitiveness and guard play are listed strengths from coach Tyler Selk as the Warriors gear up for what appears to be yet another highly successful campaign. Three starters are back from a 19-win squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140989' first='Wes' last='DuCharme'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2642394' first='Mac' last='Johnson'] along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2433111' first='Jacob' last='Muniz']. DuCharme led Waunakee in scoring at 16.3 ppg as a junior while Johnson, at 6-foot-6, provides some size and physicality in the post. Muniz is a very quick backcourt performer who can knock down multiple threes in any given contest. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2989256' first='Sam' last='Follen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2415932' first='Owen' last='Gillingham'], [player_tooltip player_id='2989250' first='Gavin' last='Selk'], [player_tooltip player_id='2989253' first='Keagan' last='Ballard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2989255' first='Ryan' last='Lutz'] also return as does junior [player_tooltip player_id='2620941' first='Charlie' last='Elliott']. As usual, Waunakee will defend with purpose and rely on depth and physical strength to win a lot of games. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/sun-prairie-west/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/sun-prairie-west/">5. Sun Prairie West</a></strong> -- Five players who played roles on last year's squad that went 9-16 figure to take big steps forward for coach Jay Swanson this time around and depth arrives to the Wolves' program in the form of newcomers from an 18-4 JV1 squad. Senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2454568' first='Jahleel' last='Weah'] is on the small side at 5-foot-10, but his ability to run the show and score were evident a year ago when he averaged 12.3 points and 3.5 rebounds. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='3218057' first='TJ' last='Foy'] and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2369860' first='Almir' last='Dervishi'] also return to the starting rotation for the Wolves and each is more than capable of averaging in double figures in 2026-27. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3270291' first='Ben' last='Sadler'] along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2719044' first='Antoine' last='Jordan'], [player_tooltip player_id='2433738' first='Andrew' last='Malone'], [player_tooltip player_id='2438260' first='Thomas' last='Malone'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2539171' first='Jude' last='Ogunsola'] also figure to play prominent roles for Sun Prairie West. <strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/mukwonago/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/mukwonago/">Mukwonago</a></strong> -- The loss of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2508313' first='Evan' last='Ploeckelman'] to DME Academy in Delafield will hurt, no question. Ploeckelman's 22 points and 8 rebounds will be difficult to replace as will his presence on defense around the basket. But coach John Witte still has a roster capable of pulling a few surprises in 2026-27. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3173773' first='Blake' last='Lindstedt'] had a terrific summer and is one of the better long-range shooters in the Classic Eight. He good size (6-foot-3), skill, strength and stamina. He also could emerge as a senior leader for the Indians, who must regroup with the sudden loss of Ploeckelman. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3647077' first='Ayden' last='Andryszck'] also returns to the starting rotation as does ever-improving junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2806069' first='Waylon' last='Woda']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3173777' first='Soren' last='Koskinen'] (6-5) provides some length and interior scoring for a Mukwonago team many might count out due to the loss of Ploeckelman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->