Division 2, Sectional 3: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pewaukee, WIAA Division 2 state champions in 2021, 2022 and 2023 along with a runner-up finish in 2024, returns to Division 2 and is placed in Sectional 3 after playing at the Division 1 level the past few seasons due the WIAA's competitive balance formula. The Pirates join a loaded sectional field that also includes anticipated strong squads from Beaver Dam, Brookfield Central, Catholic Memorial, McFarland, Milton, New Berlin West and Wauwatosa West. It goes without saying this is, by far, the most difficult sectional in all of Division 2. It is loaded with outstanding players and stellar teams and is the deepest sectional in the state. <br><br>Following is a 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='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], 6-5, Sr., G, Wauwatosa West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], 6-10, Sr., F, McFarland<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140920' first='Garrett' last='Crull'], 6-5, Sr., G, McFarland<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'], 6-2, Sr., G, New Berlin West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508468' first='Ben' last='Wittnebel'], 6-6, Jr., G/F, Beaver Dam<strong><br><br>Five Breakout Performers in Sectional 3</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2433100' first='Alex' last='Chapman'], 6-5, Sr., G/F, Mount Horeb<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3559600' first='Graeson' last='Geiger'], 6-2, Sr., G, Fort Atkinson<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2837074' first='Will' last='Still'], 6-1, Jr., G, Waukesha West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2795366' first='Karti' last='Calvert'], 6-6, Soph., F, Catholic Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2850492' first='Logan' last='(Bear) Collins'], 5-10, Soph., G, Wauwatosa West<strong><br><br>Top Five Teams in Sectional 3</strong><br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/wauwatosa-west/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/wauwatosa-west/">1. Wauwatosa West</a></strong> -- After winning the Division 2 state title two years and finishing 20-7 last winter, Wauwatosa West looks to have yet another team capable of making a deep playoff run as coach Christopher Newbauer has three returning starters. One of those players, senior [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], recently committed to the University of Wisconsin and is regarded as one of the top players in the state's loaded 2027 class. The other two, sophomore lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='2850492' first='Logan' last='(Bear) Collins'] and senior sniper [player_tooltip player_id='2423561' first='Max' last='Gogin'], join Brown in creating a dynamic backcourt triumvirate. Along the baseline, Wauwatosa West will county heavily on improved senior [player_tooltip player_id='2642391' first='Kason' last='Mangum'], who uses his 6-foot-6 size and length well to protect the basket. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/mcfarland/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/mcfarland/">2. McFarland</a></strong> -- Defending sectional champion McFarland boasts the best big man in the 23-team sectional field in 6-foot-10 senior [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], a versatile forward who averaged 20.2 points and 10.5 rebounds as a junior. Krueger also blocked 55 shots on the season for the Spartans, who also return starters [player_tooltip player_id='2140920' first='Garrett' last='Crull'], [player_tooltip player_id='2423225' first='Braydon' last='Fischer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3020977' first='Kam' last='Meinholdt'] to their starting rotation. Crull provides steady leadership and his size (6-foot-5), skill and smooth lefty shooting stroke are big assets for coach Jeff Meinholdt. McFarland had just one senior on its 23-6 squad last winter and is poised to enjoy another huge season as the defending champions of the Badger Small Conference. <br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/catholic-memorial/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/catholic-memorial/"><br>3. Catholic Memorial</a></strong> -- Competing in the largely Division 1 Classic Eight Conference might lead to some dings along the way, but Catholic Memorial figures to be battle tested once the playoffs hit in March. The Crusaders boast a very deep and experienced squad, led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140928' first='Jackson' last='Albee'], [player_tooltip player_id='2394688' first='Matthew' last='Goedheer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2414753' first='Rigg' last='Waterman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2731450' first='Will' last='Kinateder']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3019361' first='Dustin' last='Roach'] also returns after missing most of last season with an injury. Roach is a University of Wisconsin football recruit and one of the better all-around athletes in the state's 2027 class. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2795366' first='Karti' last='Calvert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3437859' first='Reggie' last='Green'], along with incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2709344' first='Armani' last='Bellisle'], also figure to make contributions for coach Kyle Johnsen's squad. <br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/beaver-dam/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/beaver-dam/">4. Beaver Dam</a></strong> -- Coach Tim Ladron's squad, coming off a co-conference-championship season with Waunakee in the Badger Large, lost two all-league players to graduation in EJ Salettel and Parker Blank. At the same time, Ladron has three all-league players back in second-team choice [player_tooltip player_id='2508468' first='Ben' last='Wittnebel'] and honorable mention picks [player_tooltip player_id='2371701' first='Isaiah' last='Yuenger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140933' first='Jaxon' last='Ladron']. Wittnebel, a lanky 6-foot-6 wing with skill and athleticism, had a big spring and summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] club program and picked up NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Green Bay, Northern Illinois and Southern Utah. Yuenger and Ladron also stepped up their games over the past few months with the [program_tooltip program_id='2517147' first='Wisconsin' last='Breakaway'] club team and bring plenty of toughness and experience to the Beavers' lineup. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3066571' first='Abe' last='Wilke'] also figures to play a prominent role as Beaver Dam sets out to repeat as league champions.<br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/new-berlin-west/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/new-berlin-west/">5. New Berlin West</a></strong> -- The Vikings, no doubt, will miss the contributions and steadiness of graduated wing Evan Kern, now playing at UW-Stevens Point. But coach Scott Cook does welcome back several key contributors from a squad that finished 24-4 while competing in the Woodland West Conference. Leading the way is four-year varsity performer [player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'], the son of the head coach who averaged 18.8 points and made 87 three-point baskets as a 6-foot-2 off guard a year ago. Joining Cook as key returning players for the Vikings are [player_tooltip player_id='2836151' first='Tanner' last='Krajcir'], [player_tooltip player_id='2382134' first='Zach' last='Hewitt'] and Greyson Castro, among others. <strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/fort-atkinson/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/fort-atkinson/">Fort Atkinson</a></strong> -- Unanimous first-team all-Badger Small Conference honoree [player_tooltip player_id='3559600' first='Graeson' last='Geiger'] headlines the list of returning players for coach Mike Hintz at Fort Atkinson. The relentless Geiger is a scoring point guard who gets to the basket to get a hoop or drop off a pass to a teammate for a score. Improved big man [player_tooltip player_id='2508476' first='Oliver' last='Evans'], a physical 6-foot-8 post player, also returns for the Blackhawks as does junior [player_tooltip player_id='2390204' first='Carter' last='Klopcic']. All three of those players earned all-league laurels a year ago when Fort Atkinson played a strong second half of the season to finish 13-13. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140967' first='Nolan' last='Quamme'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2839915' first='Ryley' last='Kloster'] also return and each played substantial minutes a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->