11 Teams You Don’t Want to See in March
11 teams who did not receive a 1 or a 2-seed in the 2019 WIAA boy’s basketball state playoffs, but you don’t want to see in March… Barneveld A 3-seed in Division 5 Sectional 4, Barneveld is good enough…
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Continue Reading11 teams who did not receive a 1 or a 2-seed in the 2019 WIAA boy’s basketball state playoffs, but you don’t want to see in March…
Barneveld
A 3-seed in Division 5 Sectional 4, Barneveld is good enough to be a 1-seed. The Eagles were without their best player, Malcolm Reed (15.2 ppg), early in the season and started the year 0-4. Since then, they’ve gone 12-3 and are in the driver’s seat to win the Six Rivers East Conference. In Reed’s absence, Dayne Evans (14.7 ppg) has emerged and given Barneveld another scoring weapon. Getting past undefeated Randolph will be tough, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Eagles advance to the Kohl Center.
Brookfield East
A 3-seed in Division 1 Sectional 2, Brookfield East reached the state championship game last season. While they may not have that type of potential in 2018-19, this is still a well-coached squad that doesn’t beat themselves and will put you in a fistfight for 36 minutes. Senior forward Riley LeTourneau is having one of the most surprising seasons in the state, averaging 23.1 ppg. The Spartans have quality wins over the likes of Brookfield Central, Martin Luther, and Milwaukee Riverside.
Brown Deer
The Falcons are a 5-seed in a loaded Sectional 4 of Division 3. Don’t sleep on their 11-10 record. Brown Deer played a loaded scheduled and has one of the top 1-2 punches in the state in Brooklyn Jagers (21.7 ppg) and Jaylon Gentry (20.3 ppg). A team that might be peaking right now as well, Brown Deer is riding a three-game winning streak heading into the final week of the regular season.
Milwaukee Golda Meir
A 4-seed in Division 3 Sectional 4, Milwaukee Golda Meir is 36 minutes or organized chaos. At 14-6 overall, Golda Meir has a lot of weapons. Brandon Harmon (15.1 ppg) and Mario Williams (13.0 ppg) provide length and athleticism that not many teams can match up with. Speedy, athletic point guard Marvin Jones III 10.2 ppg) is also a handful. After an 0-3 start, they’ve rallied to win 14 of their last 17 games, including 11 of the last 12.
Milwaukee Madison
Madison has to feel very disrespected after receiving a 5-seed in Sectional 2 of Division 2. The Knights are 13-4 overall and are just one game back of first place in a loaded Milwaukee City Conference. Look for Kyran Gaines (25.6 ppg) and company to wreak havoc early in the playoffs, setting up a potential date with Nicolet in the regional semifinals.
Mineral Point
Sectional 3 of Division 4 is loaded. Mineral Point earned a 3-seed after a 14-5 record. The Pointers will be without Brayden Dailey (transfer), but Isaac Lindsey (21.6 ppg) is still the best player in all of Division 4. Despite being shorthanded for the back end of the season, Mineral Point hasn’t suffered too badly, winning their last five games.
Muskego
The Warriors did some serious damage in the Classic Eight Conference this season. Muskego holds wins over the top two teams in the league, Arrowhead and Waukesha West and could finish as high as third in what’s consistently one of the strongest leagues in the state. A.J. Makinen (15.1 ppg) and company are a 5-seed in Sectional 4 of the Division 1 bracket, where awaiting them in a sectional semifinal could be the Wolverines.
Neenah
The way Logan Morrow (13.4 ppg) is playing right now, he gives Neenah a dangerous inside-out presence along with Max Klesmit (24.4 ppg). With Klesmit on a scoring tear, the Rockets have won three of their last four games, including a big win over Appleton West. In four games against Kaukauna and Kimberly, Neenah has been right there. A 4-seed in Division 1 Sectional 1, the Rockets have a chance to shake up the playoffs.
Oshkosh West
Rarely do you see an 11-seed that’s capable of going to sectionals…if not further. At 8-12 overall, the Wildcats have had a disappointing regular season, but have also played a large chunk of the campaign without senior forward Luke Haasl. A team that’s lost five of their last six, West could be on the verge of rebounding after knocking out Oshkosh North in their last outing. If Karter Thomas (24.6 ppg) is hot, the Wildcats aren’t out of any game.
River Falls
A relatively young team that’s currently second in a tough Big Rivers Conference, River Falls is 13-6 on the year. Of those six losses, three have come by one possession. A 3-seed in Division 2 Sectional 1, the Wildcats have won three out of their last four games and have a chance to at least share the conference title with Hudson. River Falls is balanced, but are led by sweet-shooting sophomore Zac Johnson (15.5 ppg).
Sun Prairie
One reason you don’t want to play this team — the Cardinals can match just about any style. Sun Prairie has scored in the 100’s this season and they’ve also held teams in the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. At 15-5, all five defeats have come by 10 points or less, including two one-possession defeats. The Cardinals have also knocked off one of the best teams in Minnesota, handling De La Salle 72-61 in a game they controlled from the tip. A 4-seed in Division 1 Sectional 3, don’t be surprised if the Cardinals pull an upset or two.