Division 3, Sectional 4: First Look

Defending WIAA Division 3 state champion Racine St. Catherine's returns to Sectional 4, but the Angels lost five starters to graduation and may have to take a back seat in 2026-27 to a team a few miles away. Rival Racine Lutheran appears to have the returning firepower needed to unseat St. Catherine's as the team to beat in the Sectional 4 field, which also includes traditional power Milwaukee Academy of Science, which played in Division 2 a year ago but returns to Division 3 this time around. Dominican, Oostburg, Kingdom Prep Lutheran and Messmer also appear to have strong teams for the upcoming season. Following is a look at the top players and top teams in Sectional 4: Top Five Players [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zeak' last='Jones'], 6-4, Sr., G, Dominican [player_tooltip player_id='3218220' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown'], 6-7, Sr., F, Milwaukee Academy of Science [player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'], 5-10, Sr., G, Messmer [player_tooltip player_id='2194439' first='McKhale' last='Wesley'], 6-3, Sr., G, Shorewood [player_tooltip player_id='2140959' first='Michael' last='Pratt-Hassan'], 6-3, Sr., G, Racine Lutheran Five Breakout Performers [player_tooltip player_id='2140923' first='Gavin' last='Valeri'], 6-2, Sr., G, Milwaukee Academy of Science [player_tooltip player_id='2793304' first='Christopher' last='Retic'], 6-7, Sr., F, Golda Meir [player_tooltip player_id='2479757' first='Kristian' last='Bartl'], 6-7, Sr., F, University School [player_tooltip player_id='2398434' first='Bryce' last='Austin'], 6-2, Sr., G/F, Racine Lutheran [player_tooltip player_id='2508205' first='Westin' last='Zavatchin'], 6-5, Jr., G/F, Oostburg Top Five Teams in Sectional 4 <a href="https://prephoops.com/wisconsin/rankings/2029-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/wisconsin/rankings/2029-rankings/">1. Racine Lutheran</a> -- The Crusaders won the Metro Classic Conference title a year ago and went 23-4, but they lost to St. Catherine's 65-62 in a sectional semifinal. Coach Justin Hullum is minus a few key players to graduation, including Metro Classic Player of the Year Sam Pitrof, now playing at Navy. However, Racine Lutheran does welcome back two of the top defenders in southeastern Wisconsin in senior twins [player_tooltip player_id='2140959' first='Michael' last='Pratt-Hassan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2428823' first='Mikhi' last='Pratt-Hassan']. Both are capable scorers, but they make their living making it hard for opposing backcourt players to find success. First-team all-league selection [player_tooltip player_id='2398434' first='Bryce' last='Austin'], a Western Illinois football recruit, also returns as does senior [player_tooltip player_id='2423534' first='Max' last='Contreras']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2451317' first='Kalvin' last='Johnson'] provides some size near the basket at 6-foot-4 while sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2365287' first='Trenton' last='House'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3035382' first='Ervin' last='Cuff'] also figure to be key players. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/milwaukee-academy-of-science/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/milwaukee-academy-of-science/">2. Milwaukee Academy of Science</a> -- Two grizzled seniors who have been key players for Milwaukee Academy of Science the past couple of seasons return in wing [player_tooltip player_id='2140923' first='Gavin' last='Valeri'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='3218220' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown']. Those two will pave the way for an otherwise young team, but a young team with talented newcomers. Incoming freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2893550' first='Michael' last='Grzesk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3683485' first='Sheldon' last='Yarbrough'] could work their way into significant playing time as both have shown well on the club circuit over the past few seasons. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3141559' first='Ethan' last='Latimore'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2819340' first='Avion' last='McCurtis'] also return for the Novas. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/dominican/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/dominican/">3. Dominican</a> -- Northern Illinois recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zeak' last='Jones'] is back for his fourth year of varsity competition for the Knights, which is great news for first-year coach Marc Mitchell. Jones, a smooth wing who can knock down jump shots or get to the basket to score, begins his senior campaign with 1,259 career points and 169 made three-point baskets. He is surrounded by lots of young talent. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2850469' first='Reed' last='McGivern'] averaged 10.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a freshman and proved to be a very good three-point shooter. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3157915' first='Xavier' last='Smith'] and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/davion-powell-3/">[player_tooltip player_id='2845408' first='Da'Vaion' last='Powell']</a> figure to contend for starting roles while incoming freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2487743' first='Elgin' last='Cook Jr.'] and Jahi Craig also could challenge for spots in the regular rotation for the Knights. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/messmer/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/messmer/">4. Messmer</a> -- One of 12 teams in the Midwest Classic Conference, Messmer looks to make a strong push at the league title. The Bishops will get plenty of competition from the likes of Brookfield Academy, Lake Country Lutheran, Watertown Luther Prep, Kingdom Prep Lutheran and Living Word Lutheran, among others. Coach Ben Hailey welcomes back senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'], a 5-foot-10 package of shot-making and aggressive play on both ends of the court. Velazquez can put up points in a hurry, but he will get plenty of help from other talented players in the Messmer program, including senior [player_tooltip player_id='2389912' first='Breon' last='Bennett'], juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2371654' first='Kaeden' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2519152' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3036177' first='Maurice' last='Harris']. Messmer gained an unexpected plus over the summer with the addition of talented sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='3680557' first='Corey' last='Yateman'], a 6-foot-2 playmaker who transferred in from Maricopa, Arizona. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/oostburg/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/oostburg/">5. Oostburg</a> -- For the first time in four years, Cade Dirkse and JJ Zavatchin will not be on the floor wearing the Oostburg uniform. Dirkse (Hillsdale) and Zavatchin (Bethel) graduated last spring, leaving two huge holes in the lineup for the Flying Dutchmen. But this program is full of tradition and toughness so although Oostburg did lose some significant scoring punch, coach Kevin Bruggink looks to put together yet another high-quality outfit for 2026-27. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021613' first='Cade' last='Jaeger'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2508205' first='Westin' last='Zavatchin'] are returning starters for a 24-4 squad while seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2991281' first='Devon' last='Wilterdink'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3335725' first='Jakari' last='DeBlaey'] along with skilled sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3335716' first='Trey' last='Van Ess'] also return and look to push for starting spots after being key backups a year ago. Sleeper Team <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/st-francis/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/st-francis/">Saint Francis</a> -- Any number of teams in Sectional 4 could fall into the Sleeper category. And Saint Francis definitely is one of them. Coach Lance Marifke boasts plenty of returning experience, led by talented senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2405555' first='Joshua' last='Green'], who averaged 21.1 points per game for the Mariners a year ago. Green and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3022362' first='Maurice' last='Smith'] are tough customers in the Midwest Classic Conference while Marifke also welcomes back promising 6-foot-7 forward [player_tooltip player_id='2892040' first='E'lonte' last='Wright'], who attended Milwaukee Lutheran last year. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3022359' first='Jordan' last='Mack'] teams with Smith in the backcourt, giving Saint Francis plenty of quickness and defensive pressure.

Defending WIAA Division 3 state champion Racine St. Catherine's returns to Sectional 4, but the Angels lost five starters to graduation and may have to take a back seat in 2026-27 to a team a few miles away. Rival Racine Lutheran appears to have the returning firepower needed to unseat St. Catherine's as the team to beat in the Sectional 4 field, which also includes traditional power Milwaukee Academy of Science, which played in Division 2 a year ago but returns to Division 3 this time around. Dominican, Oostburg, Kingdom Prep Lutheran and Messmer also appear to have strong teams for the upcoming season.

Following is a look at the top players and top teams in Sectional 4:

Top Five Players
Zeak Jones Zeak Jones 6'4" | SG Dominican | 2027 State WI , 6-4, Sr., G, Dominican
D’Anthony Brown D’Anthony Brown WI , 6-7, Sr., F, Milwaukee Academy of Science
Delvito Velazquez Delvito Velazquez 5'10" | CG Messmer | 2027 State WI , 5-10, Sr., G, Messmer
McKhale Wesley McKhale Wesley 6'3" | CG/PG Shorewood | 2027 State WI , 6-3, Sr., G, Shorewood
Michael Pratt-Hassan Michael Pratt-Hassan 6'3" | PG/SG Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI , 6-3, Sr., G, Racine Lutheran

Five Breakout Performers
Gavin Valeri Gavin Valeri 6'2" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2027 WI , 6-2, Sr., G, Milwaukee Academy of Science
Christopher Retic Christopher Retic 6'7" | PF/SF Milwaukee Golda Meir | 2027 State WI , 6-7, Sr., F, Golda Meir
Kristian Bartl Kristian Bartl 6'7" | PF University School | 2027 State WI , 6-7, Sr., F, University School
Bryce Austin Bryce Austin 6'2" | SG Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI , 6-2, Sr., G/F, Racine Lutheran
Westin Zavatchin Westin Zavatchin 6'5" | SF Oostburg | 2028 State WI , 6-5, Jr., G/F, Oostburg

Top Five Teams in Sectional 4

1. Racine Lutheran -- The Crusaders won the Metro Classic Conference title a year ago and went 23-4, but they lost to St. Catherine's 65-62 in a sectional semifinal. Coach Justin Hullum is minus a few key players to graduation, including Metro Classic Player of the Year Sam Pitrof, now playing at Navy. However, Racine Lutheran does welcome back two of the top defenders in southeastern Wisconsin in senior twins Michael Pratt-Hassan Michael Pratt-Hassan 6'3" | PG/SG Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI and Mikhi Pratt-Hassan Mikhi Pratt-Hassan 6'2" | PG/SG Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI . Both are capable scorers, but they make their living making it hard for opposing backcourt players to find success. First-team all-league selection Bryce Austin Bryce Austin 6'2" | SG Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI , a Western Illinois football recruit, also returns as does senior Max Contreras Max Contreras 6'0" | SG Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI . Junior Kalvin Johnson Kalvin Johnson 6'4" | CG/SF Racine Lutheran | 2028 State WI provides some size near the basket at 6-foot-4 while sophomores Trenton House Trenton House 6'1" | SG Racine Lutheran | 2029 State WI and Ervin Cuff Ervin Cuff 5'8" | PG/SG Racine Lutheran | 2029 WI also figure to be key players.

2. Milwaukee Academy of Science -- Two grizzled seniors who have been key players for Milwaukee Academy of Science the past couple of seasons return in wing Gavin Valeri Gavin Valeri 6'2" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2027 WI and forward D’Anthony Brown D’Anthony Brown WI . Those two will pave the way for an otherwise young team, but a young team with talented newcomers. Incoming freshmen Michael Grzesk Michael Grzesk 6'1" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2030 WI and Sheldon Yarbrough Sheldon Yarbrough 6'7" | PF WI could work their way into significant playing time as both have shown well on the club circuit over the past few seasons. Senior Ethan Latimore Ethan Latimore 5'11" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2027 WI and junior Avion McCurtis Avion McCurtis 5'9" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2028 WI also return for the Novas.

3. Dominican -- Northern Illinois recruit Zeak Jones Zeak Jones 6'4" | SG Dominican | 2027 State WI is back for his fourth year of varsity competition for the Knights, which is great news for first-year coach Marc Mitchell. Jones, a smooth wing who can knock down jump shots or get to the basket to score, begins his senior campaign with 1,259 career points and 169 made three-point baskets. He is surrounded by lots of young talent. Sophomore Reed McGivern Reed McGivern 6'1" | SG Wauwatosa West | 2029 State WI averaged 10.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a freshman and proved to be a very good three-point shooter. Sophomores Xavier Smith Xavier Smith 6'1" | CG Dominican | 2029 WI and Da’Vaion Powell Da’Vaion Powell 6'3" | SG/SF Dominican | 2029 WI figure to contend for starting roles while incoming freshmen Elgin Cook Jr. Elgin Cook Jr. 6'3" | CG Dominican | 2030 WI and Jahi Craig also could challenge for spots in the regular rotation for the Knights.

4. Messmer -- One of 12 teams in the Midwest Classic Conference, Messmer looks to make a strong push at the league title. The Bishops will get plenty of competition from the likes of Brookfield Academy, Lake Country Lutheran, Watertown Luther Prep, Kingdom Prep Lutheran and Living Word Lutheran, among others. Coach Ben Hailey welcomes back senior guard Delvito Velazquez Delvito Velazquez 5'10" | CG Messmer | 2027 State WI , a 5-foot-10 package of shot-making and aggressive play on both ends of the court. Velazquez can put up points in a hurry, but he will get plenty of help from other talented players in the Messmer program, including senior Breon Bennett Breon Bennett 6'1" | SF Messmer | 2027 State WI , juniors Kaeden King Kaeden King 6'2" | CG Messmer | 2028 State WI and Anthony Smith Anthony Smith 6'3" | SF Messmer | 2028 WI and freshman Maurice Harris Maurice Harris 6'4" | SF/SG Messmer | 2030 WI . Messmer gained an unexpected plus over the summer with the addition of talented sophomore point guard Corey Yateman Corey Yateman 6'2" | PG Messmer | 2029 State WI , a 6-foot-2 playmaker who transferred in from Maricopa, Arizona.

5. Oostburg -- For the first time in four years, Cade Dirkse and JJ Zavatchin will not be on the floor wearing the Oostburg uniform. Dirkse (Hillsdale) and Zavatchin (Bethel) graduated last spring, leaving two huge holes in the lineup for the Flying Dutchmen. But this program is full of tradition and toughness so although Oostburg did lose some significant scoring punch, coach Kevin Bruggink looks to put together yet another high-quality outfit for 2026-27. Senior Cade Jaeger Cade Jaeger 6'3" | SG Oostburg | 2027 WI and junior Westin Zavatchin Westin Zavatchin 6'5" | SF Oostburg | 2028 State WI are returning starters for a 24-4 squad while seniors Devon Wilterdink Devon Wilterdink 6'0" | CG Oostburg | 2027 WI and Jakari DeBlaey Jakari DeBlaey 5'11" | SG Oostburg | 2027 WI along with skilled sophomore Trey Van Ess Trey Van Ess 6'1" | SG Oostburg | 2029 WI also return and look to push for starting spots after being key backups a year ago.

Sleeper Team

Saint Francis -- Any number of teams in Sectional 4 could fall into the Sleeper category. And Saint Francis definitely is one of them. Coach Lance Marifke boasts plenty of returning experience, led by talented senior guard Joshua Green Joshua Green 6'2" | CG St. Francis | 2027 State WI , who averaged 21.1 points per game for the Mariners a year ago. Green and senior guard Maurice Smith Maurice Smith 5'8" | CG St. Francis | 2027 WI are tough customers in the Midwest Classic Conference while Marifke also welcomes back promising 6-foot-7 forward E’lonte Wright E’lonte Wright 6'8" | PF St. Francis | 2027 State WI , who attended Milwaukee Lutheran last year. Junior Jordan Mack Jordan Mack 5'6" | PG St. Francis | 2028 WI teams with Smith in the backcourt, giving Saint Francis plenty of quickness and defensive pressure.

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Division 3, Sectional 4: First Look

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