WIAA Tournament Preview: Division 2

Who will take home the gold ball in Division 2 this season? Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the WIAA Tournament race and make our predictions for March...   SECTIONAL 1 FAVORITES (1) Onalaska (21-1) The Hilltoppers were 20-0 against the state of Wisconsin and won the Mississippi Valley Conference, sweeping preseason favorite La Crosse Central. Onalaska may not have a wealth of talent or stars, but <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyrell-stuttley/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyrell-stuttley/">Tyrell Stuttley</a></a> (14.2 ppg), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-arenz/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-arenz/">Carson Arenz</a></a> (13.9 ppg), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-kick/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-kick/">Sam Kick</a></a> (10.0 ppg), etc. are all bought in and some of the best team chemistry in the state. (2) La Crosse Central (17-5) Central and Onalaska appear destined for a third meeting in a sectional semifinal. The Red Raiders will look to bounce back after consecutive losses to their rivals. Mr. Basketball frontrunner and Wisconsin commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/johnny-davis/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/johnny-davis/">Johnny Davis</a></a>, as well as UW commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-davis/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-davis/">Jordan Davis</a></a> and senior forward <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/terrance-thompson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/terrance-thompson/">Terrance Thompson</a></a> have never missed a state tournament. DARK HORSE (1) Hortonville (17-5) Arguably the state's biggest surprise team in 2019-20, Hortonville finished third in the Fox Valley Association with four of their five losses coming to Neenah and Kimberly, both Division 1 state title contenders. The Polar Bears have an excellent backcourt pair of senior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cole-warning/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cole-warning/">Cole Warning</a></a>, a Ripon commit, and junior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/parker-lawrence/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/parker-lawrence/">Parker Lawrence</a></a> and are capable of pulling off a big upset. Others: River Falls (5), New Richmond (3), Merrill (2)   SECTIONAL 2 FAVORITES (1) Nicolet (19-3) The return of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-johnson/">Jalen Johnson</a></a> (30.3 ppg) makes the Knights the favorite in Division 2. The defending state champs were 13-3 without Johnson, led by <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-graham/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-graham/">James Graham</a></a> (20.9 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-johnson-2/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-johnson-2/">Kobe Johnson</a></a> (20.2 ppg), and then went onto win the North Shore Conference by dominating in their final six outings. (2) Whitefish Bay (16-6) Whitefish Bay split the regular season series with Nicolet, although both were played without <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-johnson/">Jalen Johnson</a></a>. Junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-jackson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-jackson/">Jayden Jackson</a></a> (20.3 ppg) had a breakout season for the Blue Dukes, who finished second in the North Shore Conference.   DARK HORSE (1) Seymour (21-1) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-dorn/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-dorn/">Mason Dorn</a></a> (24.5 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/riley-murphy/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/riley-murphy/">Riley Murphy</a></a> (14.5 ppg) led the Thunder to a Bay Conference title. Seymour hasn't played much outside of their area, but do have impressive wins over Roncalli, West De Pere (2), and Ashwaubenon. (3) Grafton (17-5) Wright State commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/alex-huibregtse/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/alex-huibregtse/">Alex Huibregtse</a></a> (24.5 ppg) is one of the state's most dangerous shooters. The Black Hawks have plenty of depth with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brock-heffner/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brock-heffner/">Brock Heffner</a></a> (17.3 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/j-p-benzschawel/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/j-p-benzschawel/">J.P. Benzschawel</a></a> (10.0 ppg) patrolling the paint. Others: West De Pere (2), Kaukauna (3)   SECTIONAL 3 FAVORITES (1) Stoughton (19-3) The Badger South champs are led by Michigan Tech commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/adam-hobson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/adam-hobson/">Adam Hobson</a></a> and junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cael-mcgee/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cael-mcgee/">Cael McGee</a></a> (15.8 ppg). With a full lineup, the Vikings haven't lost since Dec. 27, a one-point defeat at the hands of a top 10 ranked Chippewa Falls squad. (1) Elkhorn (18-4) Elkhorn shared the Southern Lakes Conference title with Westosha Central, although routed the Falcons in the most recent meeting. The Elks look to return to state for the second consecutive year. Despite some major personnel losses, Elkhorn has reloaded behind junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-johnson/">Jordan Johnson</a></a> (24.4 ppg) and UW-Parkside commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nick-brown/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nick-brown/">Nick Brown</a></a> (15.3 ppg).   DARK HORSE (2) Monroe (17-5) Probably the biggest wild card in this sectional, Monroe is talented enough to make it to Madison, but consistency isn't always their friend. Outside of Davis and Johnson, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cade-meyer/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cade-meyer/">Cade Meyer</a></a> (18.4 ppg) is the best prospect in Division 2. The Cheesemakers can also turn to sophomores <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-leuzinger/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-leuzinger/">Carson Leuzinger</a></a> (15.6 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/j-t-seagreaves/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/j-t-seagreaves/">J.T. Seagreaves</a></a> (12.1 ppg) when they need a bucket. <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bp9t1" data-offset-key="e8ck1-0-0"> </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bp9t1" data-offset-key="bcb8f-0-0"> <div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bcb8f-0-0">(3) DeForest (16-6)</div> </div> <div data-offset-key="bcb8f-0-0"> </div> <div data-offset-key="bcb8f-0-0">The Norskies finished second in the Badger North behind Waunakee. DeForest doesn't have many big wins under their belt with the exception of sweeping Reedsburg, but they've played everyone tough, including Stoughton, Lourdes Academy, and Onalaska. Sophomore guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-weisbrod/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-weisbrod/">Max Weisbrod</a></a> (13.3 ppg) will need a big run in order for this team to win this sectional. </div> <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bp9t1" data-offset-key="bcb8f-0-0"> <div data-offset-key="bcb8f-0-0"> </div> </div> Others: Reedsburg (4), Westosha Central (4), Waukesha West (3), Milton (5), Burlington (2)   SECTIONAL 4 FAVORITES (1) Milwaukee Lutheran (17-4) The Knights won the Woodland East Conference by three games in a 12-game league schedule. Milwaukee Lutheran has one of the most dangerous backcourts in the state behind seniors Jourdan Weddle (20.2 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/javeon-tolliver/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/javeon-tolliver/">Javeon Tolliver</a></a> (18.8 ppg). This group has won 11 of their last 12 games to close the regular season. (2) Wisconsin Lutheran (15-7) The team that beat Milwaukee Lutheran, the Vikings earned a share of the Woodland West Conference title. Senior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyrese-england/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyrese-england/">Tyrese England</a></a> (18.4 ppg) is one of the top isolation scorers in the state. His running mate, Prentice Young (11.8) is arguably the top freshman prospect in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Lutheran went 3-1 combined against the two other title winners -- Pewaukee and New Berlin Eisenhower.   DARK HORSE (1) New Berlin Eisenhower (17-5) Eisenhower split the Woodland West title with Pewaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran. Junior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-ludwig/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-ludwig/">Sam Ludwig</a></a> had a breakout season, averaging 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. The Lions also have two other double-figure scorers in their lineup. (2) Pewaukee (14-8) The Pirates have looked good down the stretch, winning their last four games, three of which have come by double digits. They're young, but talented and coachable. After a slow start, sophomores <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ashton-janowski/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ashton-janowski/">Ashton Janowski</a></a> (15.4 ppg) and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-terrian/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-terrian/">Josh Terrian</a></a> (12.9 ppg) have elevated their play. Pewaukee has also unleashed freshman Milan Momcilovic (13.7 ppg), who looks like a top five prospect in the 2023 class. (4) Wauwatosa East (11-11) The Red Raiders won't have <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-lovelace/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-lovelace/">John Lovelace</a></a>, which definitely hurts their odds, but beat a strong Marquette team without him and scored 92 points while doing so. The 11-11 overall record is a reflection of a tough schedule, playing and sometimes getting beat up on in the Greater Metro Conference, Tosa East went and played Waunakee. Brian Parzcyh (12.1 ppg), <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/leon-bond/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/leon-bond/">Leon Bond</a></a> (11.7 ppg) and company have shown the potential to hang with the likes of Sussex Hamilton and Brookfield Central this season. Others: Wauwatosa West (3), Milwaukee Bay View (3)   PREDICTIONS SECTIONAL FINALS (1) Onalaska over (1) Hortonville Asking Onalaska to beat La Crosse Central three times might be too much, but having been at both games, the Hilltoppers have really dominated the second halves and taken the Red Raiders out of their comfort zone. If Onalaska gets past them, I think they'll handle any other team in their path on the road to Madison. (1) Nicolet over (3) Kaukauna Rematch of last season's sectional final. This one would probably play out similarly. Kaukauna won't have a matchup for <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-johnson/">Jalen Johnson</a></a> and they'll be seeing two juniors in <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-johnson-2/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-johnson-2/">Kobe Johnson</a></a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-graham/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/james-graham/">James Graham</a></a> who are significantly better from last season. (1) Elkhorn over (1) Stoughton This would likely be a closely contested ball game. The Elks are a little deeper and have the 2018-19 tournament run to rely on for experience. (2) Pewaukee over (4) Wauwatosa East Tosa East could make it to state. They could also be one-and-done. Pewaukee might be another year away, but they look like they're playing some of their best ball right now.   STATE SEMIFINALS (1) Onalaska over (4) Pewaukee Pewaukee is usually one of the most prepared and well-schemed programs. However, you can say the same for Onalaska. There's not much Arenz, Stuttley, and company haven't seen at this point. (2) Nicolet over (3) Elkhorn A rematch of last season's state semifinals, Nicolet's size and athleticism would probably once again wear down Elkhorn over 36 minutes. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (2) Nicolet over (1) Onalaska The Hilltoppers aren't likely to get run over by anyone, as good and as talented as Nicolet might be. This could be a heckuva ball game between arguably the two-best teams in all of Division 2. With Johnson on the floor, the Knights have never lost to a team from Wisconsin. A prospect that always seems to play his best when the lights are the brightest, I don't know if I see him getting denied on this stage.