WIAA Playoffs Preview: Division 1 Sectional 1
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Breaking down the race to advance to the state tournament in Division 1 Sectional 1… THE FAVORITE De Pere (17-3) The Redbirds have grinded their way through a tough Fox River Classic schedule and have one of the top…
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Continue ReadingBreaking down the race to advance to the state tournament in Division 1 Sectional 1…
THE FAVORITE
De Pere (17-3)
The Redbirds have grinded their way through a tough Fox River Classic schedule and have one of the top resumes in all of Division 1. De Pere can boast wins over Ashwaubenon, Wrightstown, Bay Port, Notre Dame, West De Pere, Seymour, and Stevens Point. De Pere can also turn to arguably the best player in the sectional, sophomore guard John Kinziger John Kinziger 6'0" | CG De Pere | 2023 State #257 Nation WI , who’s putting up 23 points and four assists per game.
TOP CHALLENGERS
River Falls (15-2)
Augustana commit Zac Johnson Zac Johnson 6'3" | SG River Falls | 2021 State WI is one of the most lethal shooters in the state. Paired with twin towers Liam Dougherty Liam Dougherty 6'9" | PF River Falls | 2021 State WI and Jameson Dougherty Jameson Dougherty 6'9" | PF River Falls | 2021 State WI , an Army commit, the Wildcats have a dangerous trio that could lead them to state. Currently leading the Big Rivers Conference, River Falls is playing some of their best ball, having won eight games in a row.
Stevens Point (11-2)
This team is going to be a very tough out with the way they share the ball, take high quality shots, and play team defense. SPASH’s lone two losses came to De Pere in the season opener and a one-point hiccup to D.C. Everest. Since then, the Panthers have ripped off 10-straight wins and shown the ability to grind out tight, contested wins.
DARK HORSE CONTENDERS
Eau Claire Memorial (12-5)
One of the more surprising teams in the state, Memorial has gotten things going after beginning the year 0-2. The Old Abes have beaten the likes of Hudson, Tomah, River Falls, Eau Claire North, and Chippewa Falls. Junior guard Will Boser Will Boser 6'5" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI is also having a breakout season, averaging nearly 23 points per game.
D.C. Everest (9-5)
Everest split a pair of one-point games against Wisconsin Valley Conference leader SPASH. Four of their five losses have been decided by 10 points or less, including four defeats by six points or less.
Hudson (12-5)
This team will go as far as Sioux Falls commit Luke Healy Luke Healy 6'0" | CG Hudson | 2021 State WI will take them. The senior guard is having a monster year, posting 25 points and four assists per game. In second place in the always tough Big Rivers Conference, the Raiders have won 12 of their last 14 games.
La Crosse Central (7-1)
The Red Raiders haven’t gotten many games in, which is unfortunate considering they are rebuilding after losing four starters from last season’s squad, three of which are now playing Division 1 basketball. However, Central has done quite a bit in a short amount of time, defeating Tomah (twice), Sun Prairie, and Beaver Dam. This team is young, but definitely talented behind the trio of Devon Fielding Devon Fielding 6'1" | PG La Crosse Central | 2022 State WI , Noah Compan Noah Compan 6'5" | SF La Crosse Central | 2022 State WI , and Bennett Fried Bennett Fried 6'6" | SF La Crosse Central | 2023 State WI .
Bay Port (13-5)
Gunnar DeCleene Gunnar DeCleene 6'2" | SG Bay Port | 2021 State WI and Nate Forystek Nate Forystek 6'7" | PF Bay Port | 2022 State WI form one of the more underrated 1-2 punches in the state. The Pirates are certainly battled tested having played Neenah, Seymour, DePere (2), Ashwaubenon (2), West De Pere, and Notre Dame.
Chippewa Falls (13-6)
Hillsdale commit Joe Reuter Joe Reuter 6'4" | SG Chippewa Falls | 2021 State WI is making a strong case for first-team All-State honors. The Cardinals have resume-building wins over the likes of Hudson, Medford, Tomah, and Eau Claire North.
Eau Claire North (10-6)
The Huskies might be in the bottom half of the Big Rivers Conference, but North isn’t a cakewalk by any means. Showing how deep this sectional is, the Huskies have wins over Eau Claire Memorial, D.C. Everest, and Chippewa Falls with close losses coming against Hudson (twice) and Chippewa Falls.
PREDICTIONS
Sectional Semifinals
River Falls over Eau Claire Memorial
Stevens Point over De Pere
Sectional Final
River Falls over Stevens Point
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Amillion Buggs Amillion Buggs 6'4" | SF Wausau West | 2022 State WI – Wausau West
Top 35 prospect in the class of 2022. Buggs is a strong, athletic wing who glides around the rim. Buggs is averaging 17 points per game as a junior. Outside shot needs work, but Buggs can live in the paint and do some exciting things in transition.
Will Boser Will Boser 6'5" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI – Eau Claire Memorial
Boser is having one of the bigger breakout seasons in the state, averaging just shy of 23 points per game. The junior guard has been lighting opponents up from 3-point range and showing supreme confidence from well beyond the arc.
Noah Feddersen Noah Feddersen 6'9" | PF Menomonie | 2022 State WI – Menomonie
An emerging post prospect in the 2022 class, Feddersen is an athletic, bouncy forward with a budding perimeter skillset. Feddersen is averaging 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as a junior.
Grant Flory Grant Flory 6'5" | PF Wisconsin Rapids | 2021 State WI – Wisconsin Rapids
Flory has been producing big for the past three seasons. Now in his senior year, Flory is averaging 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists per game. A strong and skilled combo forward who can score inside and out, Flory is one of the tougher matchups in the 2021 class.
Luke Healy Luke Healy 6'0" | CG Hudson | 2021 State WI – Hudson
Healy is putting up 25 points and four assists per game. The Sioux Falls commit is a fast and dynamic guard who can score efficiently on the ball. Hudson needs him to score points, but he’s also a quality decision maker that gets his teammates involved.
Zac Johnson Zac Johnson 6'3" | SG River Falls | 2021 State WI – River Falls
Johnson is averaging 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game this season. The Augustana commit is one of the most lethal shooters in the state. Through 17 games, he’s shooting above 40 percent from downtown.
John Kinziger John Kinziger 6'0" | CG De Pere | 2023 State #257 Nation WI – De Pere
A top 5-6 prospect in the 2023 class, Kinziger has a knack for scoring the basketball. A highly skilled and quick guard on the ball with in-the-gym range, Kinziger is averaging 23 points per game and already holds an offer from Toledo.
Parker Lawrence Parker Lawrence 6'0" | PG Hortonville | 2021 State WI – Hortonville
Lawrence is averaging 21 points and four assists per game this season. Committed to St. Norbert, Lawrence is an outstanding perimeter shooter with the athleticism to attack the rim and play in transition.
Maximus Nelson Maximus Nelson 6'7" | PF Appleton North | 2022 State #236 Nation WI – Appleton North
Nelson holds Division 1 offers from Toledo, SIUE, and UW-Milwaukee. The 6-foot-8 forward is a deadly outside shooter that’s more athletic than he looks. Nelson spaces the floor as well as any forward in the 2022 class and has an advanced rise and fire game for his size.
Joe Reuter Joe Reuter 6'4" | SG Chippewa Falls | 2021 State WI – Chippewa Falls
Smooth 3-point shooter with excellent positional size. The Hillsdale commit is a legit 6-foot-5 and putting up 26 points, eight rebounds, and six assists per game. The shooting grabs the headlines, but Reuter is much more well-rounded of a prospect than he gets credit for.
Nate Streveler Nate Streveler 6'4" | SG Stevens Point - SPASH | 2022 State WI – Stevens Point
High-IQ, skilled two-guard that plays within himself as well as any player in the 2022 class. Can score effectively from all three levels and generates a ton of high percentage looks through the flow of the offense. Streveler is averaging 14 points and five rebounds per game this season.
Others to Watch: J.T. Dougherty (River Falls), Kaden Kimmes (Superior), Jacob Walczak Jacob Walczak 6'5" | SF Chippewa Falls | 2021 State WI (Chippewa Falls), Dylan Lisitza Dylan Lisitza 6'0" | PG Wisconsin Rapids | 2021 State WI (Wisconsin Rapids), Cole Kalander Cole Kalander 6'7" | PF Holmen | 2021 State WI (Holmen), Devon Fielding Devon Fielding 6'1" | PG La Crosse Central | 2022 State WI (La Crosse Central), James Jacobs James Jacobs 6'3" | SG Stevens Point | 2022 State WI (Stevens Point), Colton Hall (D.C. Everest), Ryan Sweeney Ryan Sweeney 6'2" | CG Gb East | 2022 State WI (Green Bay East), Connor Pytleski (Green Bay Southwest), Gunnar DeCleene Gunnar DeCleene 6'2" | SG Bay Port | 2021 State WI (Bay Port), Nate Forystek Nate Forystek 6'7" | PF Bay Port | 2022 State WI (Bay Port), Chad Kron Chad Kron 6'0" | CG Eau Claire North | 2021 State WI (Eau Claire North)