10 Sleeper Teams You Don’t Want to See in March
10 teams seeded fifth or lower who could wreck the brackets during the 2020 WIAA tournament… DIVISION 1 (5) BROOKFIELD EAST (17-4) This is a two or a three-seed in a lot of other sectionals. The Spartans have a history…
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Continue Reading10 teams seeded fifth or lower who could wreck the brackets during the 2020 WIAA tournament…
DIVISION 1
(5) BROOKFIELD EAST (17-4)
This is a two or a three-seed in a lot of other sectionals. The Spartans have a history of big upsets in March. Two seasons ago, East ripped through Racine Park and Sun Prairie en route to the Division 1 title game.
Not only are the Spartans battle tested in the Greater Metro Conference, they’ve picked up big non-conference wins over Racine Case, West Allis Central, Milwaukee Vincent, and Wisconsin Lutheran. They might have four losses, but only two teams, Brookfield Central and Sussex Hamilton have beaten them. After two blowout defeats, East was considerably more competitive the next time they faced the two top seeds in sectional.
A gritty, blue collar squad that plays excellent defense and doesn’t beat themselves, the Spartans have three players averaging in double figures this season, led by junior guard Hayden Doyle (19.8 ppg).
(5) WAUNAKEE (16-5)
The Warriors will get at least a share of the Badger North Conference title and can win it outright if they knock off Reedsburg this week. They’ve had some lapses, but Waunakee is 3-0 against the other top two teams in the league and have also beaten Monroe and Oconomowoc this season.
Waunakee can put teams in a fistfight for 36 minutes and not only that, have a ton of shooters to space the floor. The Warriors have a balanced attack, with four players averaging at least nine points per game, led by sophomore forward Andrew Keller (12.3 ppg).
(6) MARQUETTE (10-11)
Marquette is the only team from the Greater Metro Conference in Sectional 4 of Division 1, which could spell trouble for the rest of the field. The Hilltoppers were 6-9 in league play, but 4-2 when they stepped outside of their conference with the only two losses coming to Arrowhead and Wisconsin Lutheran.
Stumbling down the stretch, Marquette has lost five of their last six games, but has been quite competitive against Arrowhead, Sussex Hamilton, and Brookfield Central. Led by Aiden Flynn (21.8 ppg).
(6) OCONOMOWOC (13-8)
Like Marquette, Oconomowoc moves away from their conference and will be in a sectional primarily dominated by Big Eight Conference foes.
The Raccoons finished third in the Classic Eight Conference and went 2-1 against the Big Eight with their lone loss coming in the season opener to Sun Prairie. Oconomowoc’s 1-2 punch of Drew Fisher and Caleb Flaten-Moore could be problematic for opponents. This team definitely has the talent and chemistry to reach the sectionals.
DIVISION 2
(4) REEDSBURG (16-5)
This team has seniors, a balanced scoring attack, a tough-minded defensive approach, and most importantly, they don’t beat themselves.
Senior guard Will Fuhrmann is one of the most complete guards in the state. He’s led the Beavers to a third-place position in the Badger North at this point. Reedsburg has been in just about every game they’ve lost as well, falling by six points or less in four of their five defeats.
(5) RIVER FALLS (16-5)
Onalaska better not get caught looking ahead to a third matchup with La Crosse Central, because River Falls is very under-seeded. Assuming the Falcons get past 4-seed Tomah, they could give the top-seed Hilltoppers a run for their money.
River Falls is tied for second in a very strong Big Rivers Conference. They have wins over Hudson, Eau Claire North, Xavier, and Prescott. Sniper Zac Johnson (21.5 ppg) leads the way and he’s surrounded by plenty of size up front.
(5) MILTON (12-9)
Perhaps it’s an overreaction to seeing the Red Hawks completely dismantle Monroe earlier this season, but this team is capable of some big things. Behind their star guard Jack Campion, maybe the best ball handler in the state, Milton put up 97 points in that upset.
The Redhawks do have a tough draw. They’ll have to win at Westosha Central and then likely at Elkhorn, who handled them in the season opener, in order to reach sectionals. But this team may be peeking again after three-straight wins.
DIVISION 3
(5) MARTIN LUTHER (15-6)
A team that’s been through the grind of playing in the Metro Classic Conference, led by two top five ranked squads, Martin Luther has been competitive with some of the top teams in Division 3. The Spartans had both Dominican and Racine St. Catherine’s on the ropes in each of their last two meetings.
Should Martin Luther reach sectionals, they’d more than likely get top-seed and Division 3 favorite Racine St. Catherine’s, who they’ve already seen twice and only lost to by four points in the last meeting.
DIVISION 4
(6) CRIVITZ (17-4)
Crivitz is in an absolutely loaded sectional, which is why they’re a six-seed with four losses. The Wolverines are tied for first in the Marinette & Oconto Conference, a league that has four teams with at least 10 conference wins. Crivitz is also hot right now, having won 10-straight games.
(6) RIVER RIDGE (17-4)
River Ridge dropped two games by one possession and is very close to being 19-2 overall. Senior guard Cole Crubel is having a big season, putting up over 21 points per game. The Timberwolves are also one win away from closing out the Six Rivers West Conference.