WIAA Division 2 Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a week left in the regular season and seeds coming out Sunday for the WIAA playoffs, here is a quick look at things to watch for in Division 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SECTIONAL 1<br><br>The Favorites (Upper Half)</strong><br>Medford (13-9)<br>Rhinelander (16-5)<br>River Falls (12-10)<br>Wausau East (17-6)<br><br><strong>The Favorites (Bottom Half)</strong><br>La Crosse Central (13-8)<br>Mosinee (15-7)<br>Onalaska (16-7)<br>West Salem (15-6)<br><br><strong>Don't Be Surprised If ...</strong><br><br>Old-time rivals La Crosse Central and Onalaska meet for the third time with the winner being the first team to 50 points. Traditional powers La Crosse Central and Onalaska are both having good seasons, although neither team possesses the kind of firepower they've had in the past. Still, they are competitive and when they hook up against each other, the game usually grinds to a slow pace with the winner being the first team to 50. La Crosse Central actually went well above the 50-point mark in its 65-53 win over the Hilltoppers on February 1. The Riverhawks are averaging just 53.1 ppg and tend to rely on their staunch defense in order to get victories. Onalaska returned the favor with a 47-43 win over La Crosse Central a few days ago. The Hilltoppers usually score more than that as they are averaging 66.8 ppg. But when these two teams get together, every possession, every basket and every free throws seems to count more. <strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br>Menomonie. First-year coach Greg Van Grunsven has the Mustangs playing some solid basketball at the right time of the season. Winners of six of their last seven games, the Mustangs have a diverse offensive attack, some good size and physical strength, and a steady lead guard. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2021394' first='Isaac' last='Ellison'] (6-4), a North Dakota State football recruit, leads the way for Menomonie with his scoring and rebounding. He recently had 19 points in a win over Medford. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2620378' first='Brody' last='Thornton'] (6-4) also can put up points as he had 23 points, five rebounds and seven assists in a win over Eau Claire North. Junior point guard Jake Rue (5-9) led the way for Menomonie in its win over Medford with 24 points while ever improving sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'] (6-7) can finish with a double/double on any given night. Like the other Big Rivers Conference teams in this sectional, Menomonie will be battle tested as it enters the WIAA playoffs with more than a few games on its schedule against quality Division 1 programs. <strong><br><br>All-Sectional Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371688' first='Quinn' last='Gerke'], 6-2, Soph., Tomah<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1417497' first='Preston' last='Johnson'], 6-2, Sr., River Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2632125' first='Gavin' last='Rhead'], 6-4, Sr., Sparta<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2117026' first='Ian' last='Kowal'], 6-3, Jr., Onalaska<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1544729' first='Zach' last='Orr'], 5-11, Sr., Rice Lake<strong><br><br>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2388785' first='Kyle' last='Hehli'], 6-0, Sr., West Salem<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493641' first='Charlie' last='Gierl'], 6-2, Sr., Medford<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561965' first='Joseph' last='Daly'], 6-6, Jr., New London<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2021394' first='Isaac' last='Ellison'], 6-4, Sr., Menomonie<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2224523' first='Logan' last='Sipple'], 6-3, Sr., Shawano<br><br><strong>SECTIONAL 2<br><br>The Favorites (Top Half)</strong><br>Ashwaubenon (14-6)<br>Notre Dame (17-5)<br>Plymouth (16-7)<br>West De Pere (14-7)<br><br><strong>The Favorites (Bottom Half)</strong><br>Cedarburg (15-7)<br>Nicolet (16-6)<br>Slinger (21-2)<br><br><strong>Don't Be Surprised If ...</strong><br><br>West De Pere turns the tables and starts to win some close games. The Phantoms have played a very good non-league schedule and have had some tussles in the Bay Conference as well. Of the seven losses coach Todd Deschane's squad has sustained, five have gone down to the wire and two were decided in the closing seconds. This squad did not shy away from strong opponents, either, as they have lost outings to Lake Mills, De Pere, Notre Dame, Ashwaubenon, Xavier, Wisconsin Lutheran and Bay Port. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1598950' first='Bryce' last='Borowicz'] (6-1), an Eau Claire recruit, and sophomore forward Tref Rademeker (6-9), a NCAA Division I prospect, are both stellar players and can make things difficult for any team in Sectional 2. <strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br>West Bend West. The Spartans have some impressive victories this winter, toppling Plymouth, Whitefish Bay and Nicolet on the way to a 13-9 record. Coach Ryan Matenaer's club competes in the rugged North Shore Conference and has lost twice to Slinger and Cedarburg, but this club can be very competitive and pull an upset or two on any given night. Leading the way for the Spartans is versatile senior [player_tooltip player_id='2383714' first='Carson' last='Bauer'] (6-4), who can guard different positions and score in different ways. The UW-La Crosse recruit leads West Bend West in scoring (22.2 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg) and assists (3.2 apg). Sophomore Cullen Roell (6-0) also is a key player for the Spartans and is averaging 10.3 ppg. <strong><br><br>All-Sectional Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1240336' first='Amari' last='Allen'], 6-7, Sr., Ashwaubenon<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'], 6-7, Soph., Slinger<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2383714' first='Carson' last='Bauer'], 6-4, Sr., West Bend West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140983' first='Tref' last='Rademaker'], 6-9, Soph., West De Pere<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045263' first='Kayden' last='Schultz'], 6-3, Jr., Plymouth<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1598239' first='David' last='Bolden'], 6-0, Sr., Nicolet<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1781157' first='Rashaad' last='Davis'], 5-11, Jr., Nicolet<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1412884' first='Andrew' last='Rader'], 6-10, Sr., Notre Dame<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1544731' first='Logan' last='Zahour'], 6-4, Sr., Cedarburg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2446943' first='Colin' last='Schultz'], 6-2, Sr., Pulaski<br><br><strong>SECTIONAL 3<br><br>The Favorites (Top Half)</strong><br>Brookfield Central (16-7)<br>Beaver Dam (11-11)<br>Wauwatosa West (17-6)<strong><br><br>The Favorites (Bottom Half)</strong><br>Elkhorn (16-6)<br>Fort Atkinson (15-7)<br>McFarland (15-7)<br>Mount Horeb (20-2)<br>Stoughton (15-8)<strong><br><br>Don't Be Surprised If ...</strong><br><br>Mount Horeb gets past several Badger Conference squads in the post season. The Vikings are one of seven teams from the Badger Conference in the bottom half of the sectional. All seven have had their moments this season and could make things difficult for coach Todd Nesheim's squad. The familiarity each team in the Badger Large and Badger Small have with each other runs deep so there likely won't be many surprises in the playoffs. Still, Mount Horeb has the talent and savvy to make a deep playoff run, one that figures to be littered with league opponents until, most likely, the sectional final. <strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br>Milwaukee Lutheran. A team on the rise that could make some noise in the playoffs, Milwaukee Lutheran posted recent victories over both Greenfield and New Berlin West. Coach Marcus Jackson's squad has good balance, length and quickness. Led by steady junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2360929' first='Xavier' last='Allen'] (5-11), the Red Knights own a 13-10 record and have won five straight contests. Allen leads the team in scoring at 18.7 ppg and he's also contributing 4.9 rpg and 4.2 apg. What's more, he can go make a play and get a basket or a trip to the foul line with the game on the line. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2424154' first='Makhai' last='Jewell'] (6-2) is another important player for Milwaukee Lutheran and is averaging 15.4 ppg. <strong><br><br>All-Sectional Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1272671' first='Anthony' last='Rise'], 6-1, Sr., Brookfield Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'], 6-3, Jr., Mount Horeb<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], 6-4, Soph., Wauwatosa West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492545' first='Isaiah' last='Lomax'], 6-6, Sr., Elkhorn<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561944' first='Jacob' last='Hibner'], 6-3, Jr., Stoughton<strong><br><br>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561869' first='Matthew' last='Kloskey'], 6-5, Jr., Wauwatosa West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1240337' first='Jake' last='Hansen'], 6-1, Sr., Wauwatosa West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2391088' first='EJ' last='Salettel'], 6-2, Jr., Beaver Dam<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2360929' first='Xavier' last='Allen'], 5-11, Jr., Milwaukee Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493695' first='Ben' last='Forbes'], 6-9, Sr., McFarland<br><br><strong>SECTIONAL 4<br><br>The Favorites (Top Half)</strong><br>New Berlin West (15-8)<br>Whitnall (14-8)<br>Waterford (20-3)<strong><br><br>The Favorites (Bottom Half)</strong><br>Greenfield (21-2)<br>Milwaukee South (18-3)<br>Racine Park (21-1)<br><br><strong>Don't Be Surprised If ...</strong><br><br>Racine Park continues its torrid play in the playoffs. The Panthers opened the season losing an overtime contest to Racine St. Catherine's. They haven't lost since. The Southeast Conference champions have one of the more underrated post players in the state in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2493692' first='Jaxson' last='Moss'] (6-7), who has had a breakout season for coach Casey Robbins and is averaging 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds for a team that has won 21 straight contests. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1815635' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson'] (6-0) is another quality performer who brings experience, leadership and toughness to the Panthers' lineup. He is averaging 15.7 ppg and 5.8 rpg. Athletic sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140997' first='Zare' last='Gwinn'] (6-1) is an emerging prospect in the 2027 class and is averaging 14.4 ppg and 4.4 rpg. The Panthers defend at a high level, boast good size and have plenty of athleticism and quickness. <strong><br><br>Sleeper Team</strong><br><br>Greendale. Competing in the Woodland West with powers like Wisconsin Lutheran, West Allis Central and Pewaukee, among others, Greendale comes into the post season battle tested. What's more, all three of those counterparts from the league are in Division 1. Coach Ryan Johnsen likely doesn't mind not seeing the premier conference opponents again. He also has a good chance of making a run in the playoffs in the bottom half of Sectional 4. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1454225' first='Devin' last='Isaj'] (6-6) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2677080' first='Zavier' last='Costello'] (6-4) are the top players for the Panthers with Isaj averaging 23.1 ppg and Costello pitching in 12.0 ppg. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2639071' first='Luke' last='Mattes'] (6-5) could also play a huge role for the Panthers as he is averaging 10.0 ppg. <strong><br><br>All-Sectional Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493692' first='Jaxson' last='Moss'], 6-7, Sr., Racine Park<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1300316' first='Myles' last='Herro'], 6-3, Sr., Whitnall<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2403409' first='Mason' last='Stieber-Pinter'], 6-3, Sr., Greenfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1454225' first='Devin' last='Isaj'], 6-6, Sr., Greendale<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561893' first='Caden' last='Gustafson'], 6-3, Jr., Waterford<strong><br><br>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1815635' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson'], 6-0, Sr., Racine Park<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2565209' first='Logan' last='Laine'], 6-8, Sr., South Milwaukee<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1362736' first='Jack' last='Lutz'], 6-0, Sr., Whitnall<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874962' first='Dahir' last='Abdullahi'], 5-11, Sr., Greenfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1749722' first='Jakari' last='Smith'], 6-5, Jr., Milwaukee Bradley Tech</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->