WIAA Playoffs Preview: Division 1 Sectional 3

The WIAA state playoffs will begin next week. Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in Division 1 Sectional 1...   <h5>THE FAVORITE</h5> Waukesha West (14-4) The Classic Eight Conference champs have made one of the strongest turnarounds from last season. Behind Valparaiso commit [player_tooltip player_id="830582" first="Cameron" last="Palesse"] and a supporting cast that’s elevated its play, the Wolverines are primed to make a run in February, perhaps into March.   <h5>TOP CHALLENGERS</h5> Sussex Hamilton (12-9) Not sure they’re a contender to advance to the state tournament, but there isn’t one coach in this sectional that wants to see Hamilton on their line. Still very dangerous despite losing Patrick Baldwin Jr. in the second game of the season, the Chargers have managed to defeat the likes of Menomonee Falls, Brookfield East, and Nicolet. If senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="879986" first="Tanner" last="Resch"] gets hot...watch out. [caption id="attachment_1016683" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/EckpqLTXsAEWb9_.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1016683" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/EckpqLTXsAEWb9_-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="879986" first="Tanner" last="Resch"][/caption] Milton (12-4) This team is very hard to guard. Opponents can’t prepare for the speed of [player_tooltip player_id="865836" first="Jack" last="Campion"]. Milton also surrounds their leading scorer with shooters, forcing opponents to give up something. The Red Hawks are on a bit of a slide, having lost three or their last seven games, but have the ability to explode offensively on any given night. Arrowhead (13-9) Maybe not one of those teams capable of going all the way, but Arrowhead can certainly compete with anybody. The 1-2 punch of [player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"] and [player_tooltip player_id="804923" first="Sam" last="Hytinen"] is a very difficult matchup for any team in this sectional. The Warhawks are sliding as of late, dropping their last two games and three of five overall, but have been right there against the likes of Wisconsin Lutheran, Menomonee Falls, Pewaukee, Waukesha West, and Brookfield Central. That said, Arrowhead is much better than their record indicates.   <h5>DARK HORSE</h5> Waukesha South (13-7) Have to keep tabs on the Blackshirts, who have turned a corner and are one of the hottest teams in the state. Since starting the season 1-5, South has come out victorious 11 of their last 13 meetings with wins over Arrowhead, Muskego, and Catholic Memorial. This team is believing right now and peaking at the right time. Sun Prairie (4-4) The Cardinals have gotten a late start, beginning their season on Jan. 23. Sun Prairie has also tested themselves in close losses against Freedom, La Crosse Central, and Milwaukee Academy of Science. They’ve also knocked off the likes of Edgerton and Sussex Hamilton and have not played a home game this season. Waunakee (13-5) [caption id="attachment_1080392" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Andrew-Keller.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1080392" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Andrew-Keller-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="761421" first="Andrew" last="Keller"][/caption] The Warriors didn’t begin their season until January. After dropping three of their first four games, Waunakee has gone 11-2 since Jan. 15. The Warriors have collected wins over DeForest, Wauwatosa East, and Milton along the way. DeForest (11-5) The Norskies have taken top seeds Waunakee and Milton down to the wire this season. Riding a three-game winning streak, DeForest is led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="801146" first="Max" last="Weisbrod"], a top 30 prospect in the class of 2022.   <h5>PREDICTIONS</h5> Sectional Semifinals Milton over Sun Prairie Waukesha West over Sussex Hamilton Sectional Final Waukesha West over Milton   PLAYERS TO WATCH [player_tooltip player_id="865836" first="Jack" last="Campion"] - Milton The fastest player on the ball in the state, Campion is putting up 22.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. Likely entering the top 10 of the class of 2022 player rankings after this season, Campion is a get-it-and-go guard who’s always in attack mode. If he’s hitting his 3-point shots, there isn’t anything defenders can do. [player_tooltip player_id="1115915" first="Tyran" last="Cook"] - Waukesha South Quietly putting up big numbers in a strong Classic Eight Conference, Cook is averaging just shy of 19 points per game as a sophomore. A downhill guard who thrives in transition, Cook excels when he can get up and down the floor and has a variety of finishes in traffic. [caption id="attachment_1011709" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Jordan-Johnson-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1011709 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Jordan-Johnson-2-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="806560" first="Jordan" last="Johnson"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="806560" first="Jordan" last="Johnson"] - Elkhorn Committed to Minnesota State-Moorhead, Johnson averages 27.2 points per game. An electrifying, athletic guard with skill and pop on the ball, Johnson has some of the best takeover ability in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="761421" first="Andrew" last="Keller"] - Waunakee Keller leads a balanced Waunakee team with 12.9 points per game. A versatile, athletic forward who’s also a standout football prospect, Keller creates matchup problems with his ability to stretch the floor at 6-foot-6. [player_tooltip player_id="950101" first="Ben" last="Olson"] - Sun Prairie Olson is averaging 21.3 points per game as a junior. A strong, athletic wing with a blue-collar mentality, Olson continues to rise up the rankings in the midst of a breakout season. [player_tooltip player_id="879986" first="Tanner" last="Resch"] - Sussex Hamilton One of the best players still available in 2021, Resch is having a monster senior season. Averaging 27.6 points per game, Resch has put the Chargers on his back since Baldwin’s injury and proved his worth as one of the state’s top guards. [player_tooltip player_id="994505" first="Angelo" last="Rizzo"] - Janesville Craig [caption id="attachment_1063666" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/ANGELO-RIZZO-99.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1063666" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/ANGELO-RIZZO-99-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="994505" first="Angelo" last="Rizzo"][/caption] A terrific isolation scorer, Rizzo is averaging 21.0 points per game during his senior season. Rizzo has excellent positional size (6-5) and has a knack for knocking down tough, contested shots. [player_tooltip player_id="1115917" first="Drew" last="Wagner"] - Kettle Moraine One of the top freshmen in the state, Wagner averages better than 10 points per game for the Lasers. A shooter with in-the-gym range and blow-by ability on the ball, Wagner is a threat every time he has the ball in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id="801146" first="Max" last="Weisbrod"] - DeForest One of the most cerebral players in Wisconsin’s 2022 class, Weisbrod is averaging 17.5 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. Able to take over as a scorer or facilitator, Weisbrod racks up high-IQ, winning plays throughout each game. Northern Michigan has extended an early offer to Weisbrod. [player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"] - Arrowhead The third-ranked sophomore in the state, Wrecke is averaging 24 points and five rebounds per game. A bouncy athlete that’s starting to shoot it well off the dribble, Wrecke appears on track to playing his way to the Division 1 level.   Others: [player_tooltip player_id="880033" first="Jaxson" last="Zibell"] (Waunakee), [player_tooltip player_id="1036047" first="Caden" last="Nelson"] (Waunakee), [player_tooltip player_id="1036046" first="Sam" last="Burdette"] (Milton), [player_tooltip player_id="804923" first="Sam" last="Hytinen"] (Arrowhead), [player_tooltip player_id="1119112" first="Bennett" last="Sherry"] (Verona), [player_tooltip player_id="981039" first="Gavin" last="Farrell"] (Verona), [player_tooltip player_id="1089681" first="Cole" last="Hansen"] (Sun Prairie), Nolah Hawk (DeForest), Ryne Panzer (Oregon), [player_tooltip player_id="950644" first="Marshaun" last="Harriel"] (Janesville Craig), [player_tooltip player_id="804957" first="Lance" last="Nelson"] (Monona Grove), Brenden Weis (Janesville Parker), [player_tooltip player_id="1039384" first="Carson" last="Baker"] (Fort Atkinson), Nate Handley (Waukesha North), [player_tooltip player_id="761401" first="Marshawn" last="Robinson"] (Waukesha South), Nate Gapinski (Watertown), [player_tooltip player_id="1112164" first="Jake" last="Fisher"] (Oconomowoc), [player_tooltip player_id="953956" first="Luther" last="Smith"] (Sussex Hamilton), Ty McGreevy (Badger), Jackson Vinnopal Kettle Moraine), [player_tooltip player_id="1115918" first="Logan" last="Kowalski"] (Kettle Moraine)