Preview: WIAA Division 2 Sectional Finals
Who will advance to the Division 2 state tournament in Madison? Prep Hoops breaks down the remaining four matchups.
SECTIONAL 1 (at Stevens Point)
#1 La Crosse Central (23-2) vs. #5 Marshfield (14-11)
Can Marshfield keep their magical run going? The Tigers have pulled two upsets already, including taking down 2-seed Merrill. 2018 shooting guard Seth Anderson (22.2 ppg) and 2019 forward Reed Miller (12.0 ppg) lead a squad that’s won five straight after playing .500 ball most of the season.
The defending Division 2 state champions look primed for a third-straight trip to Madison. Central has won their three playoff games by an average of 24.0 ppg. The 2020 trio of Johnny Davis (23.1 ppg), Terrance Thompson (11.9 ppg), and Jordan Davis (10.0 ppg) along with 2019 point guard Noah Parcher (12.4 ppg) have overwhelmed opponents all season.
Central and Marchfield met on Dec. 5 with the Red Raiders coming out with a 70-41 win.
How They Got Here:
La Crosse Central
Defeated #9 New Richmond 69-29
Defeated #5 River Falls 70-52
Defeated #2 Onalaska 74-60
Marshfield
Defeated #12 Wausau East 61-42
Defeated #4 Mosinee 81-71
Defeated #9 Medford 69-42
Defeated #2 Merrill 64-59
SECTIONAL 2 (at Manitowoc Lincoln)
#1 Kaukauna (22-3) vs. #3 Nicolet (16-9)
Mr. Basketball candidate Jordan McCabe looks for a second state title in three years. The West Virginia commit has been sensational, posting 26.5 points per game as a senior. The Ghosts surround their star floor general with a ton of shooting in Keaton Ferris, Eric Carl, and Dylan Kurey, giving them one of the most explosive offenses in Wisconsin.
Nicolet features one of the most difficult players to match up with in the state. 2020 forward Jamari Sibley (16.7 ppg) is a walking double-double and had a monster 24-point, 10-rebound effort in the sectional semifinal win over Plymouth.
How They Got Here:
Kaukauna
Defeated #9 Green Bay West 102-65
Defeated #4 Green Bay Southwest 83-41
Defeated #2 Pulaski 68-59
Nicolet
Defeated #6 West Bend East 69-50
Defeated #2 Beaver Dam 63-41
Defeated #4 Plymouth 67-60
SECTIONAL 3 (at Oregon)
#1 Monona Grove (26-1) vs. #2 Westosha Central (21-4)
A win for Westosha Central would be rather historic as the Falcons have never been to state. 2019 guard Jaeden Zackery (19.0 ppg) is one of the state’s biggest sleepers.
However, they’ll have to take down a Monona Grove squad that’s lost just once all season. Headlining the Silver Eagles is dominant big man is Jake Schroeckenthaler, who is coming off an imposing performance in a win over Stoughton.
How They Got Here:
Monona Grove
Defeated #9 Reedsburg 95-61
Defeated #4 Mt. Horeb 75-67
Defeated #2 Stoughton 58-47
Westosha Central
Defeated #7 Jefferson 72-61
Defeated #3 Waukesha West 61-52
Defeated #4 Elkhorn 46-41
SECTIONAL 4 (at West Allis Central)
#1 Pewaukee (23-2) vs. #1 Milwaukee Washington (22-3)
The only sectional that features the top two seeds. This matchup between two teams that could win it all will be a doozy.
Wright State commit Grant Basile (24.6 ppg) has quietly had one of the best individual seasons in the state. He’ll need another big time effort if the Pirates are going to take down a loaded Washington squad.
For the Purgolders, the trio of 2019 small forward Deontay Long (29.4 ppg), Arizona State commit Michael Foster (18.6 ppg), and 2018 point guard Jordan Dinsmore (12.1 ppg) lead the way. Washington hasn’t been beaten by a team from Wisconsin since the season opener.
How They Got Here:
Pewaukee
Defeated #8 Catholic Memorial 87-66
Defeated #4 Greendale 78-56
Defeated #2 Whitnall 60-59
Milwaukee Washington
Defeated #8 Messmer 85-66
Defeated #4 Wisconsin Lutheran 75-66
Defeated #7 Pius XI 52-43