WIAA Playoffs Preview: Division 1 Sectional 3
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The WIAA state playoffs will begin next week. Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in Division 1 Sectional 1… THE FAVORITE Waukesha West (14-4) The Classic Eight Conference champs have made one of the strongest turnarounds from last…
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Continue ReadingThe WIAA state playoffs will begin next week. Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in Division 1 Sectional 1…
THE FAVORITE
Waukesha West (14-4)
The Classic Eight Conference champs have made one of the strongest turnarounds from last season. Behind Valparaiso commit Cameron Palesse Cameron Palesse 6'3" | CG Waukesha West | 2021 State #249 Nation WI and a supporting cast that’s elevated its play, the Wolverines are primed to make a run in February, perhaps into March.
TOP CHALLENGERS
Sussex Hamilton (12-9)
Not sure they’re a contender to advance to the state tournament, but there isn’t one coach in this sectional that wants to see Hamilton on their line. Still very dangerous despite losing Patrick Baldwin Jr. in the second game of the season, the Chargers have managed to defeat the likes of Menomonee Falls, Brookfield East, and Nicolet. If senior guard Tanner Resch Tanner Resch 6'0" | PG Hamilton | 2021 State WI gets hot…watch out.
Milton (12-4)
This team is very hard to guard. Opponents can’t prepare for the speed of Jack Campion Jack Campion 5'10" | PG Milton | 2022 State WI . Milton also surrounds their leading scorer with shooters, forcing opponents to give up something. The Red Hawks are on a bit of a slide, having lost three or their last seven games, but have the ability to explode offensively on any given night.
Arrowhead (13-9)
Maybe not one of those teams capable of going all the way, but Arrowhead can certainly compete with anybody. The 1-2 punch of Mac Wrecke Mac Wrecke 6'5" | SG Arrowhead | 2023 State #272 Nation WI and Sam Hytinen Sam Hytinen 6'3" | SF Arrowhead | 2021 State WI is a very difficult matchup for any team in this sectional. The Warhawks are sliding as of late, dropping their last two games and three of five overall, but have been right there against the likes of Wisconsin Lutheran, Menomonee Falls, Pewaukee, Waukesha West, and Brookfield Central. That said, Arrowhead is much better than their record indicates.
DARK HORSE
Waukesha South (13-7)
Have to keep tabs on the Blackshirts, who have turned a corner and are one of the hottest teams in the state. Since starting the season 1-5, South has come out victorious 11 of their last 13 meetings with wins over Arrowhead, Muskego, and Catholic Memorial. This team is believing right now and peaking at the right time.
Sun Prairie (4-4)
The Cardinals have gotten a late start, beginning their season on Jan. 23. Sun Prairie has also tested themselves in close losses against Freedom, La Crosse Central, and Milwaukee Academy of Science. They’ve also knocked off the likes of Edgerton and Sussex Hamilton and have not played a home game this season.
Waunakee (13-5)
The Warriors didn’t begin their season until January. After dropping three of their first four games, Waunakee has gone 11-2 since Jan. 15. The Warriors have collected wins over DeForest, Wauwatosa East, and Milton along the way.
DeForest (11-5)
The Norskies have taken top seeds Waunakee and Milton down to the wire this season. Riding a three-game winning streak, DeForest is led by junior guard Max Weisbrod Max Weisbrod 6'1" | CG Deforest | 2022 State WI , a top 30 prospect in the class of 2022.
PREDICTIONS
Sectional Semifinals
Milton over Sun Prairie
Waukesha West over Sussex Hamilton
Sectional Final
Waukesha West over Milton
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jack Campion Jack Campion 5'10" | PG Milton | 2022 State WI – Milton
The fastest player on the ball in the state, Campion is putting up 22.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. Likely entering the top 10 of the class of 2022 player rankings after this season, Campion is a get-it-and-go guard who’s always in attack mode. If he’s hitting his 3-point shots, there isn’t anything defenders can do.
Tyran Cook Tyran Cook 6'1" | SG Waukesha South | 2023 State WI – Waukesha South
Quietly putting up big numbers in a strong Classic Eight Conference, Cook is averaging just shy of 19 points per game as a sophomore. A downhill guard who thrives in transition, Cook excels when he can get up and down the floor and has a variety of finishes in traffic.
Jordan Johnson Jordan Johnson 6'2" | CG Elkhorn | 2021 State WI – Elkhorn
Committed to Minnesota State-Moorhead, Johnson averages 27.2 points per game. An electrifying, athletic guard with skill and pop on the ball, Johnson has some of the best takeover ability in the state.
Andrew Keller Andrew Keller 6'5" | PF Waunakee | 2022 State WI – Waunakee
Keller leads a balanced Waunakee team with 12.9 points per game. A versatile, athletic forward who’s also a standout football prospect, Keller creates matchup problems with his ability to stretch the floor at 6-foot-6.
Ben Olson Ben Olson 6'4" | SF Dmc | 2022 State WI – Sun Prairie
Olson is averaging 21.3 points per game as a junior. A strong, athletic wing with a blue-collar mentality, Olson continues to rise up the rankings in the midst of a breakout season.
Tanner Resch Tanner Resch 6'0" | PG Hamilton | 2021 State WI – Sussex Hamilton
One of the best players still available in 2021, Resch is having a monster senior season. Averaging 27.6 points per game, Resch has put the Chargers on his back since Baldwin’s injury and proved his worth as one of the state’s top guards.
Angelo Rizzo Angelo Rizzo 6'3" | SG Janesville Craig | 2021 State WI – Janesville Craig
A terrific isolation scorer, Rizzo is averaging 21.0 points per game during his senior season. Rizzo has excellent positional size (6-5) and has a knack for knocking down tough, contested shots.
Drew Wagner Drew Wagner 5'7" | PG Kettle Moraine | 2024 WI – Kettle Moraine
One of the top freshmen in the state, Wagner averages better than 10 points per game for the Lasers. A shooter with in-the-gym range and blow-by ability on the ball, Wagner is a threat every time he has the ball in his hands.
Max Weisbrod Max Weisbrod 6'1" | CG Deforest | 2022 State WI – DeForest
One of the most cerebral players in Wisconsin’s 2022 class, Weisbrod is averaging 17.5 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. Able to take over as a scorer or facilitator, Weisbrod racks up high-IQ, winning plays throughout each game. Northern Michigan has extended an early offer to Weisbrod.
Mac Wrecke Mac Wrecke 6'5" | SG Arrowhead | 2023 State #272 Nation WI – Arrowhead
The third-ranked sophomore in the state, Wrecke is averaging 24 points and five rebounds per game. A bouncy athlete that’s starting to shoot it well off the dribble, Wrecke appears on track to playing his way to the Division 1 level.
Others: Jaxson Zibell Jaxson Zibell 6'1" | SG Waunakee | 2021 State WI (Waunakee), Caden Nelson Caden Nelson 6'3" | SF Waunakee | 2021 State WI (Waunakee), Sam Burdette Sam Burdette 6'3" | SG Milton | 2021 State WI (Milton), Sam Hytinen Sam Hytinen 6'3" | SF Arrowhead | 2021 State WI (Arrowhead), Bennett Sherry Bennett Sherry 6'5" | SF Verona | 2021 State WI (Verona), Gavin Farrell Gavin Farrell 6'2" | SG Verona Area | 2023 State WI (Verona), Cole Hansen Cole Hansen 6'4" | SG Legacy Early College | 2024 State SC (Sun Prairie), Nolah Hawk (DeForest), Ryne Panzer (Oregon), Marshaun Harriel Marshaun Harriel 5'11" | PG Janesville Craig | 2022 WI (Janesville Craig), Lance Nelson Lance Nelson 6'0" | PG Monona Grove | 2021 State WI (Monona Grove), Brenden Weis (Janesville Parker), Carson Baker Carson Baker 5'9" | PG Fort Atkinson | 2022 WI (Fort Atkinson), Nate Handley (Waukesha North), Marshawn Robinson Marshawn Robinson 6'3" | SG Waukesha South | 2022 State WI (Waukesha South), Nate Gapinski (Watertown), Jake Fisher Jake Fisher 6'1" | CG Oconomowoc | 2022 State WI (Oconomowoc), Luther Smith Luther Smith 6'1" | SG Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State WI (Sussex Hamilton), Ty McGreevy (Badger), Jackson Vinnopal Kettle Moraine), Logan Kowalski Logan Kowalski 6'8" | PF Kettle Moraine | 2021 State WI (Kettle Moraine)