Predicted Division 2 regional champions

The WIAA playoffs start on Tuesday with regional quarterfinal games across the state. Regional semifinals are set for next Friday with the regional finals scheduled for Saturday. Here's a quick look at my predicted regional champions from each Division 2 sectional.   SECTIONAL 1 No. 4 seed (top half) Menomonie (13-11) -- The Mustangs lost their last two regular season games -- to Onalaska and Eau Claire Memorial -- but have played some stellar basketball over the past month. Coach Greg Van Grunsven has a couple of talented frontline players in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2021394' first='Isaac' last='Ellison'] (6-5) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2417746' first='Trevor' last='Robert'] (6-7). No. 3 seed (top half) River Falls (13-11) -- Like Menomonie, River Falls competes in the Big Rivers Conference with several Division 1 programs. So the tough competition should prepare the Wildcats for what they will see at the regional level. A potential regional-final at Rhinelander would be a very competitive contest. No. 1 seed (bottom half) Onalaska (17-7) -- Recent victories over La Crosse Central and Menomonie have the Hilltoppers eagerly anticipating the WIAA playoffs. Coach Craig Kowal will count heavily on strong play from senior [player_tooltip player_id='2430337' first='Broden' last='Steiner'] (6-5) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2117026' first='Ian' last='Kowal'] (6-3). No. 2 seed (bottom half) La Crosse Central (14-9) -- The Riverhawks are looking at a potential regional final game against Coulee Conference champion West Salem, a team La Crosse Central beat 50-43 last month. SECTIONAL 2 No. 1 seed (top half) Notre Dame (18-6) -- The Tritons were eliminated in the playoffs a year ago by Plymouth. Coach Brian Bobinski's squad would like to return the favor in a possible regional-final matchup in Green Bay. Minnesota-Duluth recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1412884' first='Andrew' last='Rader'] (6-10) is a tough player to guard due to his ability to play inside and outside. No. 2 seed (top half) West De Pere (16-8) -- The Phantoms won the Bay Conference crown and played one of the toughest non-league schedules in the state. Coach Todd Deschane's battle-tested crew is playing well at the right time and is led by Eau Claire recruit Bryce Borowitz (6-1) and sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2140983' first='Tref' last='Rademaker'] (6-9). No. 1 seed (bottom half) Slinger (22-2) -- The North Shore Conference champion Owls get a break from North Shore Conference opponents, at least for the regional semifinal round. But then it's back to the grind of league opponents with a likely regional final against a more-than-capable West Bend West squad. No. 3 seed (bottom half) Cedarburg (16-8) -- The Bulldogs went 8-1 in February, including a 74-69 win over invading Nicolet. Cedarburg and Nicolet could meet in a regional final, but this time on the Nicolet floor. That game would be a toss up since the two teams split their regular-season outings. SECTIONAL 3 No. 1 seed (top half) Brookfield Central (17-7) -- Normally found in the Division 1 field, Brookfield Central drops down to Division 2 due to an enrollment drop. The level of play within the Lancers' program, though, hasn't dropped at all as senior [player_tooltip player_id='1272671' first='Anthony' last='Rise'] (6-1) helped his team to a share of the Greater Metro Conference title with Wauwatosa West. No. 2 seed (top half) Wauwatosa West (18-6) -- Any team with the talent of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1240337' first='Jake' last='Hansen'] (6-1), junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561869' first='Matthew' last='Kloskey'] (6-5) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] (6-4) is going to be tough to beat. After a somewhat slow start, the Trojans have hit their stride and enter the post season on an eight-game winning streak. No. 4 seed (bottom half) Stoughton (16-8) -- The Vikings of Stoughton hope the old adage of it being extremely difficult to beat a good team three times in a single season holds true as they are looking at possibly traveling to Badger Small Conference champion Mount Horeb (22-2) for a regional final after losing both league outings to their rival. No. 2 seed (bottom half) Fort Atkinson (17-7) -- The Blackhawks tied Waunakee for the title in the Badger Large Conference and boast a veteran lineup with a couple of guys who make big plays at crunch time in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2492727' first='Brennan' last='Dempsey'] (6-6) and [player_tooltip player_id='2493675' first='Owen' last='Geiger'] (6-5). SECTIONAL 4 No. 1 seed (top half) Waterford (21-3) -- The Southern Lakes Conference winners are poised for a post-season run thanks to the strong play of senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1504816' first='Jamison' last='Beesley'] (6-3) and junior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1561893' first='Caden' last='Gustafson'] (6-3). No. 2 seed (top half) Whitnall (15-9) -- The Falcons always seem to rise to the occasion in the playoffs and with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1300316' first='Myles' last='Herro'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='1362736' first='Jack' last='Lutz'] (6-0) staring down the end of their prep careers, Whitnall figures to be on top of its game in March. No. 1 seed (bottom half) Racine Park (22-2) -- The Panthers saw their 21-game winning streak end at the hands of Kenosha Bradford, but then rebounded to end the season with a resounding win over Kenosha Indian Trail. Coach Casey Robbins' squad has received a huge season from senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2493692' first='Jaxson' last='Moss'] (6-7). No. 2 seed (bottom half) Greenfield (21-3) -- The Huslin' Hawks won the Woodland East title and then lost a crossover matchup with Woodland West winner Wisconsin Lutheran. Still, Greenfield is set up for a playoff run behind a balanced lineup that includes four double-figure scorers, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='2403409' first='Mason' last='Stieber-Pinter'] (20.2 ppg).

The WIAA playoffs start on Tuesday with regional quarterfinal games across the state. Regional semifinals are set for next Friday with the regional finals scheduled for Saturday. Here's a quick look at my predicted regional champions from each Division 2 sectional.