Boys Basketball Sectional Preview w/Predictions: Division 1-2

Regionals have come and gone and we enter into the second to last week of the boys basketball season, Sectional Week. With 40 sectional semifinal games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday and 20 sectional final games scheduled for Saturday. Come Saturday night, we will be down to just 15 games left in the boys basketball season

We’ll take a look at each sectional in Divisions 1-2 in this article.

Click here for a breakdown of how each conference faired in the regional action

Click here to see my regional championship picks

Click here to see my regional quarterfinal picks

Click here to see my regional semifinal picks

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 1:
Kaukauna - 5
Neenah - 14

Previous Matchups
Kaukauna won 57-55 on Jan.6
Kaukauna won 64-51 on Feb. 13

These two are no strangers with one another, having played twice a year in the FVA. The Galloping Ghosts won both regular season contests this year though in both contests the Rockets held Kaukauna well under their season average for points scored.

Neenah has been the road warrior team in this sectional. They traveled 242 miles on Friday night to Hudson and won, then traveled 88 miles on Saturday night to knock off top-seed D.C. Everest. The Rockets have held opponents under their season scoring averages continuously this season, and are disciplined enough to stay in almost every game played.

Kaukauna breezed by Eau Claire North on Friday before beating five-seed Stevens Point on Saturday night. DePaul commit Andrew Jensen is a game wrecker on both ends of the court from his forward position but there are plenty of guards around the big that can create and knock down shots.

My Pick: Kaukauna

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 1:
Appleton North - 3
Marshfield - 16

Previous Matchups
NA

Both of these teams have scored 19+ point victories in all four games competed in during the regional action, all hosted on their home courts. Marshfield is the Division 1 state runner-ups from a season ago, while Appleton North is looking to get to the state tournament for the first time in school history.

Marshfield doesn’t compete in the highly competitive FVA league, but the Tigers are 4-0 against that conference this season with wins over both Neenah and Kaukauna. Chris Pohl, a Wyoming recruit, is a matchup nightmare, while Vedder MacTaggert is a threat to go off from deep on any given night.

Appleton North won its first share of the FVA league crown in program history and have one of the more balanced and skilled rotations in the state. Led by a senior group with Nathan Ramus, Grant Hardy, Will Sweeney, as well as sophomore Matthew Rosplochowski, this Lightning team is difficult to defend with scoring options at all five spots in their first five.

My Pick: Appleton North

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 1:
De Pere - 4
Germantown - 13

Previous Matchups
NA

De Pere has had two 29-plus point wins in the playoffs, not having been pushed too hard while Germantown’s was a touch more difficult in terms of a competitive regional final.

De Pere is one of the top programs in the state and have a group that some have had experience with the state tournament team in 2024. The Redbirds have challenged themselves all season. They’ve flexed their team ability in these playoffs with six different players having scored in double figures with Will Krueger putting together a pair of 20+ point outings.

Germantown can score the ball and are a co-champion in the very difficult Greater Metro conference. Cahlil Jones, JJ Walters, and Darrius Peete have all three had at least one 20-plus point performance in the two regional games and the group as a whole has recorded 15 combined blocks.

My Pick: De Pere

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 1:
Oshkosh North - 8
Brookfield East - 11

Previous Matchups
NA

Two teams from two of the best conferences in the state (FVA & Greater Metro) will square off Thursday night. Oshkosh North is arguably the hottest team in the state, though Brookfield East has breezed in these playoffs and are a co-champ from their league. When looking at the preview by numbers, these two squads are nearly identical.

Brook East is back to full strength as freshman Max McMullen returned from his injury and is one of three starting guards to average double-figure points. The Spartans get six-plus points per game from seven different players which has led them to average 81.8 points per game on the season.

The Spartans are red hot. The only losses since February hit were a seven-point loss to Kimberly and a one-point loss to Kaukauna. To get to this point, North went on the road to seven-seed Bay Port and won by 18, then knocked off two-seed and Classic Eight champ Arrowhead 60-52 in the regional championship. Seniors Jackson Anderson and Bryce Ott have averaged over 20 points per game and have led the Spartans to those wins, despite sub-par shooting from the outside.

My Pick: Brookfield East

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 1:
Madison Memorial - 2
Middleton - 6

Previous Matchups
Madison Memorial won 74-49 on Jan. 20
Middleton won 71-57 on Feb. 26

The co-champs out of the Big Eight meet for a third time with a trip to sectional final Saturday on the line. These two split the season series with both wins coming by double digits. It’s been no easy trek for either team to this point.

Middleton was pushed to the brink in the regional semis by twelve-seed Janesville Craig, winning 65-62, before scoring a 20-point win over Waunakee in the regional finals. Jackson Guerrero leads a group that grew plenty into bigger roles last year which has seeped over into their run this year.

Madison Memorial was pushed to the brink in the regional finals, winning a double-overtime thriller over nine-seed Badger to get here. Anthony Miller, Andrew Braun, and the Liggon twins form a strong group of senior leaders, though the talent is deep within this Spartans team. On top of that, head coach Steve Collins is no stranger to wins (hit 500 this year), and state tournaments.

My Pick: Madison Memorial

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 1:
Verona - 7
Beloit Memorial - 10

Previous Matchups
NA

It’s a battle of former Big Eight rivals in this one as these two teams were league foes for a long time in that league before Beloit moved to the Southern Lakes a season ago. Both of these teams can score the ball, so we may have a battle of attrition on our hands.

Verona is on a roll, though two of its Big Eight opponents pushed them in the regionals, with both wins coming by 14 or less points. Owen Ayite-Atayi and Will Stremlow are the leaders for this Wildcats group that can score the ball at a high clip.

Beloit Memorial has an ace in their lineup in Amare Hereford. He’s one of the most electric players in the state and a candidate to go off for 50 points on any given night (something he did in the regional semifinals). The Purple Knights defend well on the perimeter, and excel in transition on the offensive side.

My Pick: Beloit Memorial

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 1:
Wisconsin Lutheran - 1
Milwaukee Hamilton - 35

Previous Matchups
NA

Wisconsin Lutheran has proven to be one of the best teams in the nation in high school basketball, and in two playoff games have outscored their opponents 168-42. The Vikings have elite level talent, a plethora of size, and seem to be able to beat any opponent in any sort of way. Their point difference of 30.7 is the best in Division 1. It’s getting harder and harder to see the Vikings being challenged until they get to Madison.

Milwaukee Hamilton knocked off MCC foe Milwaukee King and Southeast team Franklin to win its regional title. Jayden Burell is an extremely talented sophomore in our state that averaged nearly 20 points per game.

My Pick: Wisconsin Lutheran

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 1:
Racine Case - 28
Muskego - 36

Previous Matchups
NA

This matchup features the Southeast conference champ that has recorded two 16+ point wins to get to this point, against the team with the biggest shocker of a victory for the entire season.

Racine Case has a group that plays selflessly with the ball as any number of the Eagles can go off on any given night. Eight different Eagles average over five points a game while they average 16.5 assists per game. Despite struggling from three as a group, Case is shooting nearly 50% from the field and have rebounded extremely well.

Muskego shocked the state last Saturday as the Warriors beat West Allis Central, which could very well be the biggest shocker of a result as we’ve had all year in boys hoops. Before that, Muskego beat Racine Park, the runner-ups in Division 2 from last year, in the regional semis by a single point. Hot shooting and good team defense have gotten the Warriors to this point.

My Pick: Racine Case

Sectional Final Picks
Appleton North over Kaukauna
De Pere over Brookfield East
Madison Memorial over Beloit Memorial
Wisconsin Lutheran over Racine Case

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 2:
New Richmond - 30
Menomonie - 36

Previous Matchups
New Richmond won 77-64 on Jan. 9
New Richmond won 75-57 on Feb. 13

It’s not easy to beat a team three times in a year, something New Richmond will have to do in this one to advance. Foes out of the Big Rivers, both of these squads had to win on the road in the regional finals to get to this game.

New Richmond knocked off one-seed and fellow Big Rivers for River Falls in the regional final in a tight victory. The Tigers offense has been hot in the playoffs, scoring 80+ points in each of the two wins. Nick Stellrecht leads New Richmond though McCoy Monson is one of the top freshman on the west side of the state and averages 13.8 points per game.

Menomonie is playing well right now, having gone on the road and beat two-seed and Great Northern champ Rhinelander by 14 in the regional championship. Trevor Robert (2027) has led the way for the Mustangs, as they’ve done a great job on the defensive end of limiting opponents scoring options.

My Pick: New Richmond

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 2:
La Crosse Central - 12
West Salem - 15

Previous Matchups
La Crosse Central won 68-50 on Feb. 26

These two squads are no strangers to each other despite being non-conference opponents. They usually compete in the non-con and have met in the playoffs in years past.

The Panthers are coming off a great couple of games to get to this point, beginning with a one-point win over Bay Conference team New London. Shane Schmelling’s group then went on the road and knocked off top seed Onalaska in thrilling fashion. The Panthers defend well, and are a strong unit that plays team basketball.

La Crosse Central has been on cruise control in their two playoff victories. Head coach Todd Fergot has been to the state tournament and has his group playing exceptionally well here late. The Riverhawks defend at a high level on the perimeter and can outshoot nearly anyone that steps on the court with them. Anthony Jones and Gaber Servais are two talented junior guards that share the ball well, but can take it over as well.

My Pick: La Crosse Central

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 2:
Notre Dame - 6
West De Pere - 9

Previous Matchups
West De Pere won 66-65 on Dec. 16
Notre Dame won 79-63 on Feb. 17

Rivals out of the FRCC, these two split their season series and have 20 wins each. Notre Dame has played two closer games in these playoffs, though West De Pere was challenged in the regional final against Plymouth.

The Phantoms defend well as a team and at the individual level. On top of that, five different players have scored in double figures in the two playoff wins. Though there is not standout offensively, Carson Samson, Patrick Greisen, Erick Bouchard, and Jack Wilichowski all average over ten points per game.

Notre Dame has been on a roll for over a month, with the only loss since late January coming to De Pere. The Tritons have a trio of guards in Leo Weber and Austin and AJ Hendricks that can go out and get a bucket when needed. Jack Warden is a fourth Triton that averages double figures.

My Pick: Notre Dame

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 2:
Port Washington - 1
Slinger - 2

Previous Matchups
Port Washington won 57-56 on Jan. 6

These two squads were North Shore foes last season, but the Pirates are now a part of the newly formed Glacier Trails conference. Back in early January, Port took home a one-point win, and after both made it through regionals, it’s set up the top two teams in Division 2 for a great sectional semifinal contest.

Port Washington is led by senior duo Grady Karrels and Cal Loose, both of whom have been multi-year starters on the varsity squad. The Pirates defend extremely well, allowing just 52.5 points per game. In the first matchup the Pirates forced 20 Owls turnovers.

Slinger also defends extremely well, proof by the fact they held Nicolet to just 45 points in the regional championship game. Jack Kohnen has recorded a pair of double-doubles in their regional wins, and I’d imagine this Slinger group has a little extra motivation having suffered one of its losses to Port earlier in the year.

My Pick: Slinger

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 2:
New Berlin West - 3
Wauwatosa West - 5

Previous Matchups
NA

These have been two of the top teams in Division 2 all season and despite being two of the top three seeds in their half sectional, have not had the easiest road to this point, competing in a very good half sectional.

New Berlin West held off Brookfield Central in the regional championship, a team that shared the Greater Metro crown with Wauwatosa West and two others. The Vikings are a guard oriented squad that can light it up from deep but also shares the ball well. On top of that, West has played solid defense this year, holding opponents to 59 points per game.

Tosa West escaped both Milwaukee Lutheran and second-seed Beaver Dam in the regionals as they look to get back to Madison to defend their Division 2 title. Matthew Kloskey is averaged 23 points per game over these playoffs and while Jalen Brown was held to 0 points in the regional championship game, he did record 14 assists.

My Pick: Wauwatosa West

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 2:
Mount Horeb - 14
McFarland - 18

Previous Matchups
McFarland won 88-45 on Jan. 15
Mount Horeb won 74-64 on Feb. 20

Another third matchup in the sectional semifinals between a pair of conference rivals. They split the season series, though Mount Horeb star Josh Manchester did not play in their first meeting. It’s felt like a collision course to this game as both teams have cruised in their playoff wins.

Mount Horeb has won games close as of late, but having a legitimate closer in Manchester gives them an edge in those close contests. The senior scorer recently moved into tenth on the all-time scoring list in boys basketball history in our state. The Vikings are on a roll right now, and have to get by their league rival once again.

McFarland won both of its conference games by 29 or more points and held the opponents to 46 or less points. Garrett Crull and Eli Krueger are a very skilled and complementary duo for the Spartans as Crull runs the point and Krueger is a 6-9 forward that can dominate inside and out.

My Pick: McFarland

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 2:
Whitefish Bay - 7
Milwaukee Academy of Science - 52* (forfeited 7 wins in regular season)

Previous Matchups
NA

These two squads have been impressive on their way to this sectional final matchup. All four wins have been by double digits points. Science is an under-seeded three-seed, thanks in large part to the forfeiture of wins earlier in the regular season.

The Novas were state champions in Division 3 a season ago but are competing in D2 come this year. Science has played some great defense of late, not allowing over 60 points in their past six games. Gavin Valeri and Jamir Batemon have stepped into larger roles with the Novas and excelled.

Whitefish Bay has a solid group this season with scorers aplenty on the roster. Colin Julien (2027) does lead the Blue Dukes in scoring at 18.7 but Marcus Webb (2026), Mace Miskel (2028), and Jack Brodersen (2027) can all really score the ball. On top of that, Whitefish Bay has also been playing well on the defensive side of things for the past month.

My Pick: Whitefish Bay

Bound Power Index Rank in Division 2:
Waterford - 4
Burlington - 25

Previous Matchups
Waterford won 51-42 on Dec. 19
Waterford won 63-54 on Feb. 10

Burlington has won on the road twice to secure a regional championship and a third matchup with Southern Lakes foe Waterford. The Demons lost close both times to the Timberwolves in the regular season, as they’ve limited Waterford’s effectiveness from the three-point line.

To get here, Waterford won two games by 20-plus points as Caden Gustafson and Jayce Brechtl both had double-doubles in the regional championship. The Timberwolves have defended well late in the year and in these playoffs, which, when partnered with the playmaking ability of Gustafson on the offensive side, has led Waterford to this point.

If not for Muskego, Burlington may be the Cinderella of the tournament to this point. For the most part, the Demons have competed closely with every team over the course of the season. Sophomore Vincent Kendall has averaged over 16 points per game while senior Grant Sulik has been relentless on the glass, averaging over 15 rebounds per game.

My Pick: Waterford

Sectional Final Picks
La Crosse Central over New Richmond
Slinger over Notre Dame
Wauwatosa West over McFarland
Waterford over Whitefish Bay

Follow Baseline Banter on ‘X’

Watch and Subscribe on YouTube

Listen and Follow on Spotify

Listen and Follow on Apple Podcasts