Division 1 Boys Basketball Playoff Preview

The WIAA highschool boys basketball is ready to start subsequent week with the primary spherical of regional motion on Tuesday, March 3. Below is a preview for Division 1 with a sectional by sectional breakdown.

For all of the scores, streams, and sport previews, head over to the sport pages listed on the hyperlinks under.

To see my state event picks, scroll to the underside.

#1 D.C. Everest (21-3, Wisconsin Valley co-champ, #3 in Bound Power Index, #5 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Appleton North (20-4, FVA co-champ, #1 in Bound Power Index, #4 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#3 Marshfield (19-5, Wisconsin Valley co-champ, #4 in Bound Power Index, #9 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#4 Kaukauna (21-3, FVA co-champ, #2 in Bound Power Index, #7 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#5 Stevens Point (18-6, Wisconsin Valley co-champ, #6 in Bound Power Index)

Calvin Anderson, Superior (sr, Minnesota Duluth recruit)
Tyler Barrows, Eau Claire North (sr) – 16.0 ppg,
Ian Bauer, Eau Claire Memorial (sr) – 18.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.7 apg
Alex Berget, Holmen (sr, St. Marys U recruit) – 14.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg
Sivan Dinga, Stevens Point (sr) – 14.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Xavier Edwards, D.C. Everest (sr, MSU-Mankato soccer recruit) – 14.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 7.1 apg
Cade Felch, D.C. Everest (sr) – 18.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 apg
Brody Gilbertson, Wisconsin Rapids (sr) – 22.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg
Grant Hardy, Appleton North (sr, Winona State recruit) – 14.6 ppg
Braylon Ise, Appleton West (sr)
Andrew Jensen, Kaukauna (sr, DePaul recruit) – 17.9 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.4 bpg
Alex Krause, Kimberly (jr) – 16.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.1 apg
Jace Mataczynski, Hudson (sr, Auburn baseball recruit) – 23.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Owen Munson, Chippewa Falls (jr) – 19.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Chris Pohl, Marshfield (sr, Wyoming recruit) – 20.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.3 apg
Valin Ramberg, Marshfield (sr, UW-La Crosse recruit) – 14.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.7 apg
Nathan Ramus, Appleton North (sr, Northern Michigan recruit) – 12.7 ppg
Matt Rosplochowski, Appleton North (soph) – 16.5 ppg
Tyler Schwalbach, Kaukauna (soph) – 15.0 ppg 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg
Nick Schultz, Neenah (sr, Bethel U recruit)
Will Sweeney, Appleton North (sr) – 13.3 ppg

Appleton North, although the 2 seed would possible be thought of the favourite right here, although a late season harm could also be a figuring out consider that. The Lightning shared the FVA convention title with Kaukauna this season, the primary in North’s program historical past. The beginning 5 is extraordinarily proficient with all 5 starters possible enjoying on the subsequent degree.

Nine seed Neenah is not any regular 9 seed. They’ll go on the highway to Hudson on Friday night time. The Rockets have challenged all of the groups within the FVA this 12 months and controls the tempo to remain aggressive with nearly anybody.

There’s a couple of choices right here with 9 seed Neenah being a kind of squads, together with seven seed Kimberly, and 6 seed Superior. I talked about Neenah being a primary spherical upset squad so I received’t select the Rockets right here, although I do imagine they’ll go on a run.

Kimberly is one other workforce within the FVA that has been scorching, particularly as of late. The Papermakers have received six of their final seven video games with wins over Oshkosh North, Onalaska, and Kaukauna in that stretch. Head coach Kam Cerroni is in his first 12 months with Kimberly, however has finished an excellent job of getting his squad to click on when it issues. Alex Krause and Kegan Pleau have led the cost for a squad that has 5 gamers averaging seven or extra factors per sport.

Emphasis on the phrase ‘potential’

D.C. Everest v Neenah in regional closing: This matchup is intriguing because it pits a battle-tested FVA squad in opposition to the co-champ within the Wisconsin Valley convention. The Rockets can play with anybody, and Everest has overwhelmed most in its path this 12 months.

Kimberly v Appleton North in regional closing: As talked about, Kimberly is on a roll as of late. If this matchup occurs, it’ll be the third between the 2 FVA opponents at Appleton North. The Lightning received each of the common season video games, profitable the newest by 12.

Appleton North v Marshfield in sectional seminfinal: Marshfield has already overwhelmed FVA co-champ Kaukauna this season, and seemed spectacular doing so. The Tigers got here out of this sectional final season, going by FVA squads on the way in which. This can be a enjoyable matchup with some actually good particular person expertise.

Appleton North v Kaukauna in sectional closing: This potential matchup can be the go-home within the collection between these two FVA co-champs with a visit to Madison on the road. They cut up the season collection, with Kaukauna profitable by one in mid-December, and North taking the re-match by 11 in late January.

#1 De Pere (21-3, FRCC champion, #1 in Bound Power Index, #6 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Arrowhead (18-6, Classic Eight champion, #5 in Bound Power Index)
#3 Brookfield East (19-5, Greater Metro co-champ, #3 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Hartford (17-7, #6 in Bound Power Index)
#5 Germantown (15-9, Greater Metro co-champ, #7 in Bound Power Index)

Blake Basich, Arrowhead (jr) – 12.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 7.4 apg
Oliver Belot, Homestead (jr) – 16.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.5 apg
Blake Buhr, Sheboygan North (sr, North Dakota soccer recruit) – 16.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.6 apg
Rylan Buhr, Sheboygan North (soph) – 15.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.4 apg
AJ Ivy, Bay Port (sr) – 15.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Cahlil Jones, Germantown (sr) – 23.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.3 apg
Alex Kuepper, Hartford (jr) – 13.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.9 apg
Will Krueger, De Pere (jr) – 16.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Noah Maniscalco, De Pere (sr) – 16.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.4 apg
Max McMullen, Brookfield East (frosh) – 18.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.2 apg
Mason Medina, Oconomowoc (jr)
JT Meyer, Bay Port (jr) – 12.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Anthony Ness, Menomonee Falls (sr) – 14.0 ppg, 3.4 apg
Bryce Ott, Oshkosh North (sr, MSU-Mankato recruit) – 22.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 apg
TJ Platz, Brookfield East (sr) – 19.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.3 apg
Trey Resch, Arrowhead (jr) – 21.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 apg
Sam Richter, Hartford (sr, Carroll recruit) – 15.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.2 apg
Michael Rogers Jr, Homestead (jr) – 18.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.2 apg
Tyler Tiutczenko, Pewaukee (sr) – 23.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
Theo Toepel, Arrowhead (jr) – 12.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg
JJ Walters, Germantown (sr) – 14.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.9 apg

De Pere has been to the state event loads of occasions, and head coach Brian Winchester and workers have constructed the Redbirds program to have the ability to keep aggressive 12 months after 12 months regardless of the lack of some proficient gamers to commencement over the previous couple of years. In a sectional that has the FRCC, Greater Metro, and Classic Eight champions together with a handful of different opponents, De Pere has been probably the most constant.

There are a handful that could possibly be chosen right here with Homestead, Pewaukee, and Oshkosh North being applications which have had put up season success in years previous and will win their first spherical matchup.

For this choice, I’m going to decide on Homestead. Sean Crider’s group only recently knocked off Whitefish Bay to maintain the Blue Dukes from profitable a share of the North Shore title. The Highlanders did that with out junior guard Michael Rogers Jr. They’ll head to Menomonee Falls on Friday night time, a workforce that’s no slouch out of the Greater Metro which is one among a handful of nice video games in on the Friday sectional semifinal night time.

Seven seed Bay Port hosts ten seed Oshkosh North in a sport that options two groups that might make a deep run in these playoffs. It’s a prime matchup within the sectional, no matter degree.

I’m going to take a cop out and say that whichever workforce wins that sport, is my decide to make a deep run into sectionals.

Emphasis on the phrase ‘potential’

Bay Port v Oshkosh North in regional semifinal: As talked about above, these two groups have received 34 video games between the pair and each are enjoying effectively now when it counts.

Germantown v Hartford in regional closing: Neither workforce has a simple first sport, but when each come away victorious, it units up an intriguing regional closing between a co-champ within the Greater Metro and a Chris Smith led group from the North Shore.

Arrowhead v Brookfield East in sectional semifinal: Both of squads would wish to carry off an excellent low seed so as to get up to now, which is not any tall job. If it involves fruition, it’s Greater Metro co-champ v Classic Eight champ.

#1 Madison Memorial (22-2, Big Eight co-champ, #1 in Bound Power Index, #3 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Beloit Memorial (22-2, Southern Lakes co-champ, #4 in Bound Power Index)
#3 Verona (19-4, #3 in Bound Power Index, #8 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#4 Waunakee (18-6, Badger-Large co-champ, #5 in Bound Power Index)
#5 Middleton (20-4, Big Eight co-champ, #2 in Bound Power Index, #10 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)

Owen Ayite-Atayi, Verona (sr, IUPUC recruit)
Andrew Braun, Madison Memorial (sr, Lawrence U recruit)
Wes DuCharme, Waunakee (jr) – 14.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Nolan Duffy, Janesville Craig (sr, Northwest Missouri State soccer recruit)
John Grimes, Middleton (sr)
Jackson Guerrero, Middleton (sr, UW-La Crosse baseball recruit)
Amare Hereford, Beloit Memorial (sr) – 36.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 5.6 apg, 4.1 spg
Brayden Hermsdorf, Oregon (sr) – 16.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg
Brock Hodges, Beloit Memorial (sr) – 18.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.4 apg, 4.3 spg
Javonte Johnson, Janesville Parker (jr) – 14.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg
Reese Jordan, Madison La Follette (jr)
Evan Luchetti, Monona Grove (soph) – 16.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Anthony Miller, Madison Memorial (sr)
Quincy Mosley, Madison West (sr) – 16.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.7 apg
DJ Nash, Madison East (jr)
Evan Ploeckelman, Mukwonago (jr) – 22.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.0 apg
Thian Riak, Madison La Follette (sr)
Corvalis Stewart Jr, Madison West (soph) – 16.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.8 apg
Will Stremlow, Verona (jr)
Brock Walser, Badger (sr) – 25.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Jahleel Weah, Sun Prairie West (jr) – 12.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.9 apg

Madison Memorial is the possible favourite regardless of the very fact they misplaced to five-seed Middleton within the final sport of the common season, forcing a share of the Big Eight convention title.

Steve Collins is aware of what it takes to get to the Kohl Center. It has been some time for the reason that Big Eight was represented on the 12 months finish showcase, however I do imagine it occurs in March.

Madison La Follette as a ten seed is harmful with the person expertise that’s in abundance. Thian Riak, Reece Jordan Jr. and firm must get by a purple scorching Monona Grove squad nonetheless to get to the regional closing.

Middleton is the plain reply right here as a five-seed and co-champion of the Big Eight convention. The Cardinals received 20 video games this 12 months and are one of many groups from the Big Eight that has a legit alternative to interrupt the streak of no Big Eight workforce on the state event.

Emphasis on the phrase ‘potential’

Middleton v Waunakee in regional closing: Big Eight co-champ v Badger-Large co-champ. The Warriors have had playoff success over the Big Eight in previous years, most not too long ago of their state event run a season in the past.

Monona Grove v Beloit Memorial in regional closing: It’ll be no simple job for MG within the regional semis v La Follette, but when they get previous them, a matchup with Beloit Memorial possible awaits. The Silver Eagles have received eight of their final 9 video games whereas Beloit Memorial has been enjoyable to observe all 12 months.

Verona v Beloit Memorial in sectional semifinal: The chance of this matchup would imply a probable excessive scoring contest on a impartial web site in entrance of a raucous crowd. Both groups can flat out rating the ball.

Madison Memorial v Middleton in sectional semifinal: The third matchup between these two can be a doozy, and one with big implications. They cut up the season collection with each being double-digit video games. The winner can be my favourite to get to the Kohl Center.

#1 Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0, Woodland-West champion, #1 in Bound Power Index, #1 in Bound/Zaleski Medial Poll)
#2 West Allis Central (22-2, Woodland-East champion, #2 in Bound Power Index, #2 in Bound/Zaleski Media Poll)
#3 Racine Case (19-5, Southeast champion, #3 in Bound Power Index)
#4 Milwaukee Hamilton (16-7, #6 in Bound Power Index)
#5 Franklin (14-10, #7 in Bound Power Index)

Cole Betker, Racine Park (jr) – 19.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg
Silas Bolton, Kenosha Indian Trail (sr) – 19.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg
Jayden Burrell, Milwaukee Hamilton (soph)
Tyson Busch, Oak Creek (jr) – 20.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.6 apg
Isaiah Fox, West Allis Central (jr) – 15.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.3 apg
Yusef Gray Jr, West Allis Central (sr, Iowa State recruit) – 24.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.0 apg
Zare Gwinn, Racine Park (jr) – 19.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.5 apg
Avery Holliman, Racine Park (jr) – 18.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg
Donovan Hoover, Milwaukee Riverside (sr) – 20.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg
Darrian James-Allen, Milwaukee Pulaski (sr) – 26.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.0 apg
Marvin Jones, Kenosha Bradford (soph) – 16.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.4 apg
Max Jones, West Allis Central (sr) – 20.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.5 apg
Kager Knueppel, Wisconsin Lutheran (jr) – 17.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.9 apg
Kinston Knueppel, Wisconsin Lutheran (soph) – 9.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.5 apg
Michael Lewis, Racine Case (jr) – 11.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
Christian Miller, Marquette U (jr)
Jacob Misslich, Franklin (sr, Florida Tech recruit) – 21.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.3 apg
Kevin Pittman, West Allis Central (sr) – 10.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.8 bpg
Gary Thorpe, Milwaukee South (jr)
Ja’Quan Turner, Oak Creek (soph) – 16.0 ppg, 9.7 rpg
Mikey White, Kenosha Bradford (jr) – 17.7 ppg
Zavier Zens, Wisconsin Lutheran (sr, Northern Iowa recruit) – 24.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.4 apg

Wisconsin Lutheran is the favourite to win the state title, as they’ve had probably the most dominating seasons in boys basketball historical past in our state. The Vikings can beat you in any sense of the sport, after which defend at a excessive degree on prime of that. Wisco is the favourite of favorites, and it’s exhausting to argue in opposition to why.

I don’t see an apparent regional semifinal upset on this sectional, so I’d go along with 9 seed Marquette over eight seed Oak Creek. Oak Creek has performed most of this season with out Noah Daniel and his availability is unknown. Marquette was challenged within the Greater Metro nightly and that’s vital for a workforce come playoff time.

With Wisconsin Lutheran and West Allis Central being heavy favorites of their regionals, we’d should look reverse for a darkish horse to fulfill these two in a sectional semifinal.

Five seed Franklin suits that invoice simply, however I’m going to go along with one other Southeast convention faculty in six seed Kenosha Bradford. The Red Devils would wish to get by Milwaukee Riverside after which would have a probable matchup with undefeated Southeast convention champion Racine Case. Bradford misplaced each video games to Case on the 12 months, however fell by simply 4 in the newest matchup on this previous Thursday.

Emphasis on the phrase ‘potential’

Racine Case v West Allis Central in sectional semifinal: Case is the undefeated Southeast convention champion and has a great mixture of higher and decrease classmen that present the depth of the Eagles. Six gamers common over eight factors and eight common over 5 for Case. West Allis Central is loaded with particular person expertise and is among the prime two groups within the state in lots of rankings.

West Allis Central v Wisconsin Lutheran in sectional closing: This sport may very effectively be a state championship sport as each have been the 2 finest groups within the state for a majority of the season. The Bulldogs are enjoying with out senior star Yusef Gray Jr. at this second, however there’s a chance he returns sooner or later within the playoffs. If so, this sport turns into that rather more anticipated.

Wisconsin Lutheran over Kaukauna
De Pere over Madison Memorial

Wisconsin Lutheran over De Pere