WIAA Playoffs Preview: Division 1 Sectional 2
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The 2021 WIAA boys basketball playoffs begin next week. Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a look at the favorites, top contenders, and dark horse teams looking to survive and advance their way through Sectional 2 of the Division 1 bracket… …
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 WIAA boys basketball playoffs begin next week. Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a look at the favorites, top contenders, and dark horse teams looking to survive and advance their way through Sectional 2 of the Division 1 bracket…
THE FAVORITE
Kimberly (18-2)
The Papermakers are not only good enough to reach the state tournament, they have the depth and talent to win it all. Junior guard Jackson Paveletzke Jackson Paveletzke 6'1" | CG Kimberly | 2022 State WI is having a fantastic season, averaging 18 points and six assists per game. Kimberly has two go-to players, also featuring Lipscomp commit Grant Asman Grant Asman 6'11" | PF Kimberly | 2021 State WI , who’s putting up 14 points and seven boards per game. Northern Michigan commit Jackson Dudek Jackson Dudek 6'7" | PF Kimberly | 2021 State WI , Owen Pawlikowski Owen Pawlikowski 6'3" | SG Kimberly | 2022 State WI , Tommy Ellisen, and Cal McGinnis are all players who can hurt teams and are capable of scoring in double figures on any given night.
TOP CHALLENGERS
Neenah (20-2)
The Rockets are just one of two teams who have knocked off top seed Kimberly this season. Neenah has also taken down the likes of Notre Dame, Nicolet, and Bay Port. Featuring a deep and talented roster, Neenah will be a very tough out behind Jacob Dietz Jacob Dietz 6'3" | SG Neenah | 2021 State WI , Carter Thomas Carter Thomas 6'5" | PF Neenah | 2022 State WI , Chevalier Emery Jr Chevalier Emery Jr 6'1" | PG Neenah | 2022 State WI , and Cal Klesmit Cal Klesmit 6'2" | CG Neenah | 2023 State #235 Nation WI .
Cedarburg (18-3)
The leaders of the North Shore Conference, Cedarburg has been as good as advertised this season, if not better. Moving up from Division 2, the Bulldogs will have their hands full en route to a state tournament berth. Purdue football commit Drew Biber Drew Biber 6'3" | SF Cedarburg | 2021 State WI and Kansas State commit Logan Landers Logan Landers 6'9" | PF Cedarburg | 2021 State WI have meshed well in their first season together and this team appears to be clicking at the right time.
Menomonee Falls (14-6)
One of those teams who can beat anybody on any given night, Falls has taken down the likes of Kimberly, Whitnall, Brookfield Central, and Nicolet this season. The 1-2 punch of juniors Steven Clay Steven Clay 6'5" | SG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #193 Nation WI and Seth Trimble Seth Trimble 6'3" | PG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #50 Nation WI form arguably the best backcourt in the state. If the Phoenix can get consistent, high-level play from their supporting cast, Falls is a contender for the gold ball.
DARK HORSE
Beaver Dam (15-6)
Michigan Tech commit Nate Abel Nate Abel 6'1" | PG Beaver Dam | 2021 State WI has a better supporting cast than most think. The Beavers have also played a very good schedule with and come up just short against the likes of Monroe, Notre Dame, La Crosse Central, and Randolph.
West De Pere (13-8)
The Phantoms are very battle tested heading into the playoffs. They also should be riding high after a big win over De Pere last week. The Phantoms have also knocked off Xavier and Seymour, who sit atop the Bay Conference.
PREDICTIONS
Sectional Semifinals
Kimberly over Oshkosh West
Cedarburg over Beaver Dam
Sectional Final
Kimberly over Cedarburg
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nate Abel Nate Abel 6'1" | PG Beaver Dam | 2021 State WI – Beaver Dam
The Michigan Tech commit is putting up first-team All-State caliber numbers at 26 points, five rebounds, and three rebounds per game. A combo guard who can explode offensively by knocking down shots off the dribble or being very connected with his teammates and facilitating the ball in a way to make them successful, Abel has solidified himself as a top 35 prospect in the senior class.
Chevalier Emery Jr Chevalier Emery Jr 6'1" | PG Neenah | 2022 State WI – Neenah
Neenah is a very balanced team, but Emery has the potential to make this team go. The junior guard averages around 13 points and three assists per game. A fast, athletic, and tenacious guard, Emery can flat out shoot the rock from distance, get after people and cause havoc defensively, and make some special plays above the rim for his size.
Mason Dopriak Mason Dopriak 6'1" | SG Manitowoc Lincoln | 2021 State WI – Manitowoc Lincoln
One of the state’s top shooters, Dopriak is averaging 27.3 points per game this season. The Colorado School of Mines commit is shooting an insane 52 percent from the field from the guard position. The reigning Fox River Classic Player of the Year, Dopriak has looked even better a senior.
Kobe Johnson Kobe Johnson 6'5" | PG Nicolet | 2021 State #240 Nation WI – Nicolet
The USC commit is a triple-double threat every time he steps on the floor. Averaging 24.3 points per game, Johnson is one of the most well-rounded prospects in the state. The 6-foot-5 guard has drastically improved his shooting and overall scoring ability. He also sees the floor exceptionally well and has a knack for making plays for his teammates.
Jalen Keago Jalen Keago 6'6" | SF Oshkosh North | 2021 State WI – Oshkosh North
One of the state’s best-kept secrets, Keago is putting up 23.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as a senior. The 6-foot-5 senior is a smooth scoring wing and isolation scorer. A top 50 prospect in the 2021 class, Keago has promising potential at the next level.
Logan Landers Logan Landers 6'9" | PF Cedarburg | 2021 State WI – Cedarburg
One of the toughest players to match up within this sectional, Landers is averaging 19 points per game as a senior. Coming over from Brookfield Academy, Landers has elevated the Bulldogs in his first season. The 6-foot-7 forward is a strong perimeter and mid-range shooter with a deadly face-up game.
Christopher Morgan Christopher Morgan 6'1" | PG Kaukauna | 2022 State WI – Kaukauna
Morgan is averaging 21 points and six assists per game this season. The junior is an uptempo playmaker without an off switch who’s constantly in attack mode. A top 25 prospect in the 2022 class, Morgan has also been on fire from 3-point range this season, knocking down 70 triples thus far.
Others to Watch: Jacob Dietz Jacob Dietz 6'3" | SG Neenah | 2021 State WI (Neenah), Cal Klesmit Cal Klesmit 6'2" | CG Neenah | 2023 State #235 Nation WI (Neenah), Carter Thomas Carter Thomas 6'5" | PF Neenah | 2022 State WI (Neenah), Jackson Dudek Jackson Dudek 6'7" | PF Kimberly | 2021 State WI (Kimberly), Grant Asman Grant Asman 6'11" | PF Kimberly | 2021 State WI (Kimberly), Drew Biber Drew Biber 6'3" | SF Cedarburg | 2021 State WI (Cedarburg), Dawson Nordgaard Dawson Nordgaard 6'9" | PF West De Pere | 2021 State WI (West De Pere), Zach Steigenberger Zach Steigenberger 6'0" | CG Appleton East | 2022 State WI (Appleton East), Tyler Borowski Tyler Borowski 6'2" | PG Appleton East | 2022 State WI (Appleton East), Mikail Harmison (Appleton West), Jamariea Dalton Jamariea Dalton 6'3" | SG Fond Du Lac | 2023 State WI (Fond Du Lac), Henry Wright Henry Wright 6'1" | PG Fond du Lac | 2021 State WI (Fond Du Lac), Marcell Drone Marcell Drone 6'7" | PF Sheboygan South | 2021 State WI (Sheboygan South), Jacquez Overstreet Jacquez Overstreet 6'3" | SG Oshkosh West | 2021 State WI (Oshkosh West), Jadon Melvin Jadon Melvin 6'3" | SF Hartford | 2021 State WI (Hartford), Aaron Tennies Aaron Tennies 5'11" | PG West Bend West | 2021 State WI (West Bend West), Owen Meyer Owen Meyer 6'2" | PG Germantown | 2021 State WI (Germantown), Grant Martin Grant Martin 6'0" | CG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State WI (Menomonee Falls), Tim Franks (Homestead)