WIAA State Tournament Preview: Division 3
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MADISON — The Division 3 state tournament semifinals kick off on Thursday from the Kohl Center. Who will bring home the gold ball? 1. WEST SALEM (26-1, 11-0) Key Wins: Luther (2), Baldwin Woodville Losses: Eau Claire Memorial Conference…
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Continue ReadingMADISON — The Division 3 state tournament semifinals kick off on Thursday from the Kohl Center. Who will bring home the gold ball?
1. WEST SALEM (26-1, 11-0)
Key Wins: Luther (2), Baldwin Woodville
Losses: Eau Claire Memorial
Conference Finish: 1st in Coulee
PROJECTED STARTERS
G Carson Koepnick (16.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg) 6-1 Jr.
G Jack Hehli (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg) 6-2 Sr.
G Tamarrein Henderson Tamarrein Henderson 6'3" | CG West Salem | 2024 State WI 6-4 So. (9.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
F CJ McConkey (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg) 6-1 Sr.
F Peter Lattos (16.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg) 6-7 Jr.
Why West Salem?
Balance and depth. The Panthers have seven players averaging at least eight points per game and seven different players who have started games this season. West Salem also has some really intriguing size for a Division 3 program, including the 6-foot-7 Lattos, who’s also knocked down 34 triples this season, and Henderson, who’s a high-upside, two-way wing at 6-foot-4.
4. BRILLION (26-2, 12-2)
Key Wins: Roncalli, Denmark, Freedom, Kiel (2), Kewaunee (2)
Losses: Valders, Roncalli
Conference Finish: 2nd in Eastern Wisconsin
G Caeden Holly Caeden Holly 5'11" | PG Brillion | 2023 State WI (10.7 ppg. 2.8 rpg) 5-11 Jr.
G Parker Braun (9.7 ppg, 3.4 apg) 6-2 Jr.
F Mason Behnke (5.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg) 6-2 Sr.
F Grady Geiger Grady Geiger 6'6" | PF Brillion | 2024 State WI (11.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) 6-6 So.
F Jeremy Lorenz Jeremy Lorenz 6'8" | PF Brillion | 2023 State WI (19.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg) 6-8 Jr.
Why Brillion?
The Tigers can overwhelm teams with their 1-2 punch in the frontcourt. Lorenz, who owns a Division 1 scholarship offer from UW-Green Bay, is a long, versatile prospect that can score from all over the floor. Geiger is flirting with a top 50 spot in the class of 2024 right now. Brillion also has quality guard play with Holly and Braun, who dictate tempo and make high-IQ, winning plays.
2. LAKE COUNTRY LUTHERAN (26-2. 15-0)
Key Wins: Waukesha South, Freedom, Columbus, Sheboygan Lutheran
Losses: Pewaukee, Catholic Memorial
Conference Finish: 1st in Midwest Classic
PROJECTED STARTERS
G Sam Heicher (1.1 ppg, 2.7 apg) 5-10 Sr.
G Noah Howard Noah Howard 5'11" | SG Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI (15.8 ppg, 1.5 apg) 6-0 Sr.
G Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'2" | SG Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI (22.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg) 6-4 Sr.
F Sam Hans (5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg) 6-3 So.
F Ben Lubbers Ben Lubbers 6'5" | PF Burlington | 2022 State WI (9.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg) 6-6 Sr.
The Lightning were in the state championship game last season and gave favorite Racine St. Catherine’s a run for their money. Although they’re expected to be without third-leading scorer John Nehls, who suffered an injury in the sectional semifinals, Lake Country Lutheran has a senior-laden lineup, led by the Wisconsin walk-on commit Haertle, who leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals.
3. ST. THOMAS MORE (25-3, 14-2)
Key Wins: Dominican (2), Big Foot, Kenosha St. Joseph
Losses: Dominican, Xavier, Kenosha St. Joseph
Conference Finish: 1st in Metro Classic
PROJECTED STARTERS
G Evan Oleson (7.3 ppg, 2.6 apg)
G Drew Reindl (14.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg) 6-0 Sr.
F Amari McCottry Amari McCottry 6'5" | SF St. Thomas More | 2024 State #304 Nation WI (23.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg) 6-5 So.
F Sekou Konneh Sekou Konneh 6'6" | SF St. Thomas More | 2024 State WI (12.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg) 6-7 So.
F Isaiah Malison (5.6 rppg, 6.6 rpg) 6-8 Sr.
This is the most talented lineup in the field. The Cavaliers are led by youth, but both Konneh and McCottry are Division 1 prospects. Both are long, athletic, high motor prospects that no team in Division 3, perhaps even the state, can simulate in practice. One of the most improved teams in the state, St. Thomas More went from 8-15 a year ago to 25-3 this season.
PREDICTIONS
Semifinals
Brillion over West Salem
Lake Country Lutheran over St. Thomas More
State Championship
Lake Country Lutheran over Brillion