Keys to Success in Round One of State (D1 and D2)
Winning in State means that teams succeed in the small stuff. So, what are the micro details that can sway the outcome of a Friday matchup? D1 – Sun Prairie versus West Allis Central: Keys for Sun Prairie: Colin Schaefer…
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Continue ReadingWinning in State means that teams succeed in the small stuff. So, what are the micro details that can sway the outcome of a Friday matchup?
D1 – Sun Prairie versus West Allis Central:
Keys for Sun Prairie: Colin Schaefer has appeared in just seven games this year, the first 19 he missed with injury. With him back in the lineup, and limited tape on his game, Sun Prairie has chiseled out another facet to their offense that they’ve been coveting all season. I suggest using it.
Keys for West Allis Central: They’ll need to cancel out Sun Praire’s size advantage. The Cardinals have mared their sectioanl because no team can match their height. That said, West Allis Central does start a tall enough frontcourt to level an askewed playing field, as Jacob Fierst and Shilo Bowles are both 6’7, physical players.
D1 – Brookfield Central versus Neenah:
Keys for Brookfield Central: They’ll need to exploit their height advantage over Neenah. The Rockets’ tallest player is about 6’4, while the Lancers have two players over 6’5 in David Joplin and Malik Abdul-Wahid.
Keys for Neenah: The Rockets need to gel. They can generate momentum swings quickly, and the more players involved and contributing, the better.
D2 – La Crosse Central versus Milwaukee Washington
Keys for La Crosse Central: Central played a suffocating zone defense against Merrill, but Washington is a different, more athletic animal. They’ll have to live with Michael Foster and Co. just being superior talents, but if La Crosse can at least bother the offensive tear they’ve been on, then that’s a win.
Keys for Milwaukee Washington: Limit shots from Noah Parcher and David Hayden. They are La Crosse Central’s best perimeter scorers, but limiting them would mean that they’re essentially reduced to a paint scoring team, which plays into their strengths as a more athletic roster.
D2 – Nicolet versus Elkhorn Area
Keys for Nicolet: Get Jalen Johnson going early and often. Kaukauna held onto their sliver of hope through the first half of their sectional matchup solely because Johnson started off the game shooting a woeful 1-7. Light a fire under the five-star early and eliminate any chance of hope for the division two Cinderella.
Keys for Elkhorn Area: Nicolet’s roster is a vista of touted recruits. But they aren’t immortal, so don’t treat them as such. Come into the game riding momentum from prior upsets and build up confidence.