2018-19 State Tournament Predictions: Division 3
The 2018-19 WIAA basketball season officially kicks off on Tuesday. Who will take home the gold ball in Division 3 come march? Prep Hoops Wisconsin makes our preseason picks.
SECTIONAL 1
Mauston over Bloomer
Mauston has three reigning all-conference players returning this season from their 2017-18 squad that went 16-8. Look for junior Cade Hall to have a breakout season.
SECTIONAL 2
Southern Door over Xavier.
The Hawks were front runners in Division 3 last season and failed to even reach the Kohl Center. That chip on their shoulder carries them in 2018-19. Xavier loses its top three scorers, but Henry Egan and Nick Otto are enough to get Xavier to Madison. However, Southern Door has that same chip after going 20-5 last season and being denied a state berth. The Eagles have two first-team All-Packerland caliber players in Kyle Daoust and Derik LeCaptain.
SECTIONAL 3
Martin Luther over Platteville
We took Racine St. Catherine’s to edge Martin Luther within the conference, but the Spartans have too many hungry seniors in Xzavier Jones, Ace Evans, and Trequan Carrington, who will come up big in March. Meanwhile, Platteville looks long a strong repeat contender in the SWC.
SECTIONAL 4
Waupun over University School
The Warriors are likely coming out of their regional. University School won’t be a shoe in as they’ll have to get past Dominican, Brown Deer, and Brookfield Academy, but the Wildcats could be one of the surprise teams in the state with their senior core and sophomore Calvin Schmelling. Led by Mr. Basketball frontrunner Marcus Domask Waupun’s been so close to returning to Madison. Tough to see them getting denied in his last year.
STATE SEMIFINALS
(1) Wapun over (4) Southern Door
Potential upset here. Southern Door has some intriguing size and athleticism. Not going to bet against Domask and company though.
(2) Martin Luther over (3) Mauston
Too many athletes for Martin Luther. Mauston could definitely be in the state picture in 2019-20 again, however
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
(1) Waupun over (2) Martin Luther
These two teams met in 2016-17 with a lot of the same core. Waupun came out with a 53-50 win at home. We’ll ride with the Warriors, who are very disciplined, don’t get rattled, and run their stuff. Domask was here as a freshman and won it all. The addition of Fond Du Lac transfer Quintin Winterfeldt helps get the Warriors over the top. Also don’t discount the impact of senior point guard Trevor VandeZande, who’s as steady as they come.