Division 2, Sectional 1: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three newcomers to Sectional 1 make the grouping of 22 teams all the more intriguing as Holmen and Marshfield move into the sectional from Division 1 while DeForest moves into Sectional 1 from Sectional 3. All three teams look to have enough firepower, tradition and toughness to challenge for the sectional title along with holdovers such as La Crosse Central, Onalaska and River Falls, among others. There is very good depth in the sectional with Menomonie, Rhinelander, Baraboo and Tomah also boasting plenty of returning experience and hopeful of making some noise come March. <br><br>Following is a look at the top players and top teams in Sectional 1: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Five Players in Sectional 1</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371688' first='Quinn' last='Gerke'], 6-3, Sr., G, Tomah<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'], 6-8, Sr., F, Menomonie<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508484' first='Carter' last='Rivas'], 6-0, Sr., G, Baraboo<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2226077' first='Gabe' last='Servais'], 6-0, Sr., G, La Crosse Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405197' first='Tyler' last='Kowal'], 6-0, Jr., G, Onalaska<strong><br><br>Five Breakout Performers in Sectional 1</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2389647' first='Camden' last='Kolstad'], 6-2, Sr., G, Marshfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2833128' first='Jayden' last='Bartels'], 6-3, Sr., G/F, Holmen<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2481761' first='Anthony' last='Jones'], 6-1, Sr., G, La Crosse Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2445276' first='Jayden' last='Doedens'], 6-0, Jr., G, DeForest<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2399158' first='Gavin' last='McRoberts'], 6-2, G/F, Onalaska<strong><br><br>Top Five Teams in Sectional 1</strong><br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/la-crosse-central/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/la-crosse-central/">1. La Crosse Central</a></strong> -- Four starters return from a 22-win squad for this storied program. The balance, guard play and mental toughness the Riverhawks compete with each time out will make them a tough opponent for every team on their schedule. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2226077' first='Gabe' last='Servais'] enters his fourth season of varsity competition as the team leader for coach Todd Fergot. He was joined in the starting rotation last winter by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2481761' first='Anthony' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='3434281' first='Ezra' last='Weise'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2842460' first='Will' last='Schilling']. In addition, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020587' first='Drew' last='Ehler-Blum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3020583' first='Gander' last='Conrad'] along with juniors Jordan Calvert and [player_tooltip player_id='3020582' first='Cullen' last='MacGlashin'] all earned plenty of playing time in reserve roles. The Riverhawks lack height, but they check just about every other box in terms of having a quality outfit for the 2026-27 season. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/onalaska/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/onalaska/">2. Onalaska</a></strong> -- Winners of three of the past four titles in the Mississippi Valley Conference, Onalaska looks to add another championship trophy to its hallways this time around, although first-year coach Isaac Coastellano will have plenty of strong competition in the league from La Crosse Central, Holmen, Aquinas and Tomah. Talented juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2405197' first='Tyler' last='Kowal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2399158' first='Gavin' last='McRoberts'] are returning regulars as is athletic senior [player_tooltip player_id='2389934' first='Brendan' last='Chenault']. Those three players performed at a high level last winter when the Hilltoppers won 21 games. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2411250' first='Bradyn' last='Delong'] and Wyler Burch figuren to play important roles for a program that lacks height and will need to develop some depth. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/marshfield/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/marshfield/">3. Marshfield</a></strong> -- With five straight league championships in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, Marshfield has gained a deserved reputation as a hard-nosed, talented and prepared program capable of challenging any team in Wisconsin. And, after competing in Division 1 for many years and finishing second in the WIAA State Tournament at that level in 2025, coach Chris Fischer and his players land in Division 2 this year due to a slight enrollment decrease. Some might consider this a rebuilding year as four starters graduated from last year's club that went 21-6. But the winning culture surrounding the program and the return of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2389647' first='Camden' last='Kolstad'], [player_tooltip player_id='2388279' first='Will' last='Ketterer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3102859' first='Trevyn' last='Freis'] figures to help the Tigers remain a difficult opponent. Look for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3102864' first='Levi' last='Janssen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3102855' first='Derek' last='Ongna'] along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2920643' first='Ethan' last='Foemmel'] to make impacts in 2026-27.<br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/river-falls/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/river-falls/">4. River Falls</a></strong> -- The Wildcats will get plenty of stiff competition from any number of opponents in the Big Rivers Conference during the regular season, and the difficulty of playing quality teams figures to bode well for coach Zach Turpin's squad once the playoffs roll around. There are some good pieces to build around with the return of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140922' first='Gavin' last='Carufel'], [player_tooltip player_id='2419970' first='Cullen' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2389814' first='Chase' last='Radloff'], and the improved play of junior [player_tooltip player_id='2920744' first='Colton' last='Nesbitt'], a 6-foot-7 forward who could emerge as one of the top frontline players in the Big Rivers. The Wildcats will rely heavily on chemistry and communication as they do not boast a ton of athleticism and might be a bit challenged on the glass. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/deforest/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/deforest/">5. DeForest</a></strong> -- The skill level in the Norskies' backcourt -- thanks to the return of [player_tooltip player_id='2445276' first='Jayden' last='Doedens'], [player_tooltip player_id='2402423' first='Ben' last='Pritzl'], [player_tooltip player_id='3019683' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2400591' first='Phillip' last='']' last='Thornsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2392980' first='Brady' last='Uelmen'] -- is as good as any other team in Sectional 3. And coach Eric Stewart also boasts a dependable big man in 6-foot-7 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2508475' first='Liam' last='Schloemer'], who averaged 7.6 points and 6.2 rebounds as a junior. Playing teams like Monona Grove, Waunakee and Beaver Dam twice during the Badger Large season will definitely sharpen the competitive zeal for DeForest, which is coming off a 12-14 season. <strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/sauk-prairie/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/sauk-prairie/">Sauk Prairie</a></strong> -- Any number of teams could fall into the sleeper category in Sectional 1 as the grouping of teams is loaded with squads of potential promise. Sauk Prairie definitely falls into that description, despite the fact coach Sean McGann lost three key players from a 17-8 squad to graduation. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022088' first='Lincoln' last='Ganser'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2508486' first='Brendan' last='Marquardt'] are returning regulars for the Eagles while junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2906741' first='Braun' last='Meyer'] (6-5) had a breakout spring/summer on the club circuit with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078835' first='Wisconsin' last='Swing']. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3183123' first='Sam' last='Patterson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2906350' first='Jameson' last='Paukner'] look to take on bigger roles as do sophomores Chris Von Haden and [player_tooltip player_id='3687393' first='Meyer' last='Hartwig']. The overall size and skill in the Sauk Prairie program is rock solid and the Eagles, who shared the Badger Small crown with McFarland and Mount Horeb a year ago, figure to be among the teams in the league to give McFarland a run for its money in the chase for the title in 2026-27. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->