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 3-5 in this article, with Divisions 1 and 2 to come tomorrow.
Regional Quarterfinals | Regional Semifinals | Regional Finals | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Division 1 | 5/8 (62.5%) | 26/32 (81.3%) | 12/16 (75%) | 43/56 (76.8%) |
Division 2 | 21/25 (84%) | 28/32 (87.5%) | 12/16 (75%) | 61/73 (83.6%) |
Division 3 | 30/36 (83.3%) | 24/32 (75%) | 10/16 (62.5%) | 64/84 (76.2%) |
Division 4 | 25/34 (73.5%) | 25/32 (78.1%) | 11/16 (68.8%) | 61/82 (74.4%) |
Division 5 | 55/62 (88.7%) | 30/32 (93.8%) | 12/16 (75%) | 97/110 (88.2%) |
Total | 136/165 (82.4%) | 133/160 (83.1%) | 57/80 (71.3%) | 326/405 (80.5%) |
Division 3
Sectional 1
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 3:
Saint Croix Central - 27
Osceola - 17
Previous Matchups
Saint Croix Central won 58-56 on January 22
Osceola won 63-58 on February 26
These two squads shared the Middle Border conference title with Prescott during the regular season. They split their season series with both games being tightly contested contests. In each game the team that won the battle from three and the free throw line ended up in the W column.
The top-seeded Panthers knocked off two Heart O’North opponents in regional action, both by double digits. The senior trio of Matyas Larson, Tanner Grinnell, and Braiden Rasmussen all have good size and average double-digit points.
Osceola had a tougher path to the sectionals beating Middle Border foe Ellsworth at home and then going on the road and beating another league rival in Prescott in the regional championship. In both wins, Osceola was effective from the free throw line going 33/44 overall.
My Pick: Osceola
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 3:
G-E-T - 16
Stanley-Boyd - 20
Previous Matchups
NA
Stanley-Boyd was impressive in their run to the sectional semis as they handled Adams-Friendship in the regional semifinals, and then went to top-seeded Altoona and won 58-54. The Orioles have relied on a steady defense and efficiency from the charity stripe in those two contests.
G-E-T beat a solid Amherst team in the regional semis before outlasting a very good Mosinee team in the regional championship. Senior point guard Mason Brone is a game-changer and took over in the second half of the Mosinee game, scoring 23 of his 35 while setting up his teammates to succeed via the dribble attack.
My Pick: G-E-T
Sectional 2
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 3:
Freedom - 1
Seymour - 2
Previous Matchups
NA
This is one of the best matchups in the state on Thursday night, including one of two in Division 3 that is marquee. They’ve been the top two teams in the rankings for much of the season and it is a matchup worthy of the Kohl Center floor.
Freedom breezed through its two regional matchups as Donovan Davis was dominant, including a 36 point, 23 rebound performance in the regional championship.
Seymour has been equally impressive with four of the starters scoring in double figures with Kyler Marks recording back-to-back double-doubles.
My Pick: Freedom
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 3:
Brillion - 7
Xavier - 9
Previous Matchups
NA
Two teams that have been to state in the last 10 years, these coaches and programs are not strangers to a run at the Kohl Center.
Brillion knocked in a high scoring affair and then beat Little Chute in a low-scoring tilt in the regional title game. Senior Connor Holly and junior Colton Larsen are both averaging 20 points in the playoffs.
Xavier handled Kiel in the regional semifinals, then went to two-seed Berlin and won by 24 in the regional championship game. The duo of Logan Ramcyzk and Kyler Bleck have played well for head coach Matt Klarner in their 2 contests.
My Pick: Xavier
Sectional 3
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 3:
Lancaster - 44
Platteville - 38
Previous Matchups
Lancaster won 84-53 on Dec 18
Platteville won 83-59 on Feb 6
These two teams are familiar with each other as they shared the SWC crown. Their matchups this season were a bit head scratching however, as each were 20+ point victories for one team or the other.
In the sectional that was as up in the air as any it seems, Lancaster won home games over Richland Center and New Glarus and then knocked off top-seed Mineral Point convincingly in the regional championship.
Platteville beat three-seed Mausston handily on the road before holding off a red-hot seven-seed Lodi to get to sectional play.
My Pick: Platteville
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 3:
Lake Mills - 4
Watertown Luther Prep - 8
Previous Matchups
Lake Mills won 77-69 on Feb 23
Luther Prep pushed the L-Cats in their regular season matchup despite 20-plus point performances from Tyler Wollin and Brady Benish.
Lake Mills plays a brand of basketball that is fun to watch. They make the extra pass, drive downhill when lanes open, and defend as a singular unit. The L-Cats won their first two games handily including four players scoring in double figures in their win over East Troy.
Luther Prep’s path was a bit tougher as the Phoenix beat Columbus at home and went to Lakeside Lutheran to get a win, both by single digits. Levi and Gabe Nottling have combined for 65 points in their two regional wins.
My Pick: Lake Mills
Sectional 4
Note: This game will be played on Wednesday, March 11
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 3:
Oostburg - 5
Kettle Moraine Lutheran - 12
Previous Matchups
NA
Oostburg squeaked by eight-seed Brookfield Academy in the regional semis before knocking off Kingdom Prep in the regional finals to get back to a sectional. Ranked all season, the Flying Dutchmen are led by the dynamic duo of Cade Dirkse and JJ Zavatchin who combined for 41 of the 61 points in the regional semifinal game.
Kettle Moraine scored impressive wins over a good Brown Deer team before going on the road and winning 66-47 over Midwest Classic champion Lake Country Lutheran. Senior Nathan Kabelowsky has been on a tear in the playoffs, averaging 22.5 points per game.
My Pick: Oostburg
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 3:
Racine Lutheran - 3
Racine St. Catherine’s - 6
Previous Matchups
Racine St. Cats won 75-74 on Dec. 9
Racine Lutheran won 46-44 on Jan. 27
This grudge match has been circled for plenty in the southeast part of the state as these are arguably two of the top 5 teams in Division 3 and have played some of the best games over the past two years.
Both teams won their way to this point by scoring 20+ point victories at each level. The Crusaders have a bit of a deeper roster as Sam Pitrof is a bonafide star but players like Isaiah Cosey, Bryce Austin, and the Pratt-Hassan twins are formidable. For St. Cats, LaMont Hamilton is arguably one of the top players in the state to watch. He can and has gone off for 50 points in a game, taking contests completely over despite plenty of defensive attention.
My Pick: Racine Lutheran
Sectional Final Picks
G-E-T over Osceola
Freedom over Xavier
Lake Mills over Platteville
Racine Lutheran over Oostburg
Division 4
Sectional 1
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 4:
Clear Lake - 30
McDonell Central - 40
Previous Matchups
NA
Clear Lake took care of seven-seed Unity and three-seed Chetek-Weyerhaeuser at home. A trio of juniors have led Clear Lake all season in Caleb Arcand, Max Everts, and Miles Johnson.
McDonell plays in the Cloverbelt-West, which was a very competitive league this season as they are one of three teams from their half of the Cloverbelt winning a regional title. McDonell hosts all three playoff games, winning by double digits in each.
My Pick: Clear Lake
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 4:
Regis - 13
Durand-Arkansaw - 17
Previous Matchups
NA
Cloverbelt-West co-champ v Dunn-St. Croix champ in this one.
Durand had to go on the road and beat top-seed Fall Creek in the regional championship, winning by a single point. The Panthers defense has been stout so far in the playoffs allowing less than 50 points in each game.
That Durand defense will be put to the test with a Regis team that has scored 90+ in both playoff wins. Senior Blake Risler put up 56 points in the regional title win for the Ramblers.
My Pick: Regis
Sectional 2
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 4:
Marathon - 8
Hurley - 32
Previous Matchups
NA
Marathon has been impressive all season, with a balanced scoring attack and nose-to-the-hardwood defense. They’ll get a Hurley team that I was wrong about in both previous games.
The Red Raiders are led by Drew Woelfel and True Thurs but have had five different players score in double figures thru their first two games.
Hurley hosted two of Marathon’s Marawood-South opponents in Edgar and Auburndale and came away victorious, needing overtime in the regional championship game to bring it home.
My Pick: Marathon
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 4:
Kewaunee - 1
Bonduel - 4
Previous Matchups
Kewaunee won 81-77
These two played a great non-conference matchup in early February where the Storm narrowly escaped with a win on their home court. They’ll now do battle on a neutral site.
Kewaunee beat a very good Saint Mary Catholic team in the regional championship and have a team that has four double-digit scorers in seniors Connor Kilgore and Avery Jerabek and sophomores Diesel Bosdeck and Dane Harrell.
Bonduel won the third straight over CWC rival Iola-Scandinavia in the regional championship game and are on a roll behind the play of Ryan Westrich and Quinn Wesenberg. This is, in my opinion, the best game on sectional Thursday in all of Division 4.
My Pick: Kewaunee
Sectional 3
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 4:
Darlington - 9
Cambridge - 21
Previous Matchups
Darlington won 77-46 on Dec. 29 at Lodi Holiday Tournament
Darlington has not quite been challenged in the playoffs and with a group led by Broker Buschor and Zeke Zuberbuhler, they are one of the top teams in all of Division 4 with a winning mindset, as many come from a football team that won a gold ball in the fall.
Cambridge was impressive in their 23-point win over Parkview in the regional final and are the co-champion in the Capitol-South. Cal Nottestad leads the Blue Jays, a team that has played great defense in their two regional wins.
My Pick: Darlington
Note: This game will be played on Wednesday, March 11
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 4:
Lomira - 3
Pardeeville - 45
Previous Matchups
NA
Lomira has been dominant this season, including two 25-point victories in the playoffs to secure a regional title. Senior big man Jake Broeske was the Player of the Year in the Flyway conference and requires a great amount of attention near the rim, opening up driving lanes and shooting windows for the guards around the perimeter.
Pardeeville also has two 20-plus point wins in the playoffs and have been led all season by their junior duo of Devin Jerome and Julian Wells. The Bulldogs as a whole get to the foul line at a high rate, having shot over 500 free throws on the season. If that happens on Thursday, it’d mean foul trouble for the Lions.
My Pick: Lomira
Sectional 4
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 4:
Roncalli - 6
Howards Grove - 7
Previous Matchups
NA
This is the tightest matchup in terms of where they stand in the Power Rankings of any of the eight sectional semifinals in Division 4.
Howards Grove has lit up the scoring column in the playoffs with Keaton Milbrath scoring 20+ points in each of the two regional games, while both Trace Damrow and Harry Schroeder did just that as well in the regional championship win over Winnebago Lutheran.
Roncalli’s trajectory changed the second senior Donavan Cowley came back for these playoffs. A 20-plus point scorer, he tied for the team high in the 70-54 win over Manitowoc Lutheran in the regional final. Cowley scored 23 points, which when paired with Maddix Gulseth, that duo can outscore nearly any other in Division 4.
My Pick: Roncalli
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 4:
Milwaukee Juneau - 2
Cedar Grove-Belgium - 5
Previous Matchups
NA
Juneau has been dominant all season and have yet to be tested in the playoffs. Junior and Gonzaga commit Dooney Johnson leads a team that also has seniors Takis Tyler and Jaiden Hardiman that can flat out score the ball. The Pioneers are a matchup nightmare for any team in Division 4.
Cedar Grove-Belgium has had a tougher path, but the Rockets held off a very good Dominican team in the regional championship. Carter Schmitz and Owen Gulke are both 1,000 point scorers and have averaged over 20 points per game in both of the regional playoff games.
My Pick: Milwaukee Juneau
Sectional Final Picks
Regis over Clear Lake
Kewaunee over Marathon
Darlington over Lomira
Roncalli over Milwaukee Juneau
Division 5
Sectional 1
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 5:
Turtle Lake - 15
Drummond - 30
Previous Matchups
NA
Turtle Lake is the top seed in this half sectional, but has been tested. As mentioned before 6-9 big man Brandon Wagner is a difference maker in Division 5 as proof by his averages of 23 pints and 16.7 rebounds per game in the three regional wins.
Drummond got challenged in the regional final by Webster, but came away victorious. The Lumberjacks have had a balanced offense and stout defense, though that defense will get put to the test with their toughest matchup yet on Thursday night.
My Pick: Turtle Lake
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 5:
Prentice - 6
Rib Lake - 11
Previous Matchups
Prentice won 71-59 on Dec. 16
Prentice won 83-72 on Jan. 27
These two Marawood-North squads will do battle for a third time this season, with the stakes as high as ever. Prentice won the first two matchups thanks in large part to the balanced scoring of the Pirates.
Prentice went on the road and took down Columbus Catholic in the regional championship game behind a team high 19 points from Evan Lord. The Pirates have sneakily been one of the top teams in Division 4 all season, with their three losses coming by single digits.
Rib Lake is coached by Todd Henderson and led by his sons Jed and Blake. No team has yet to score 50 points on the Redmen in the playoffs to this point. I’d imagine a bit of a higher scoring game compared to their past three, though these two opponents are very familiar with one another.
My Pick: Prentice
Sectional 2
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 5:
Tigerton - 1
Wabeno/Laona - 27
Previous Matchups
NA
Tigerton was a little untested into the playoffs, but took care of business in the first three matchups, earning this sectional birth. Junior big man James Brady had back-to-back 30-point double-doubles on Friday and Saturday while Sam Anheuser continues to be a steady leader on the wings.
Wabeno/Laona has three 1,000 point scorers on this roster but it’s been the Rebels defense that has been the key to their success in regionals, as they’ve allowed point totals of 37, 29, and 23 in their three games.
My Pick: Wabeno/Laona
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 5:
Reedsville - 2
Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah - 14
Previous Matchups
Reedsville won 89-51 on Dec. 12
Reedsville won 58-44 on Jan. 29
It will be the third time these Big East-North foes play each other this season as Reedsville won both previous matchups by double digits.
The Panthers have run rough shot in their first three playoff games, winning by an average of 44.7 points per game. Ben Prochnow leads a Panthers offense and is a ball dominant lead guard that can score it but also makes his teammates better with his passing ability.
Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah is 15-0 outside of the Big East-North, but will have to get a win over a conference rival in this one to move on. Brayden Smith has been extremely efficient for the Resorters in these playoffs, and will need to continue that in order for Mike Koehler’s squad to pull off this victory.
My Pick: Reedsville
Sectional 3
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 5:
Assumption - 21
Cochrane-Fountain City - 26
Previous Matchups
NA
Assumption has gotten hot at the right time, winning three straight playoff games including knocking off top-seeded Royall. Head coach Josh Paltz has a senior guard duo of JT Schlaefer and Logan Nystrom that can light it up, proof by Schlaefer’s 33 point outburst in the regional championship.
Cochrane-Fountain City is the defending Division 5 state champions. The Pirates are experienced and a strong group of kids that know what it takes to win come playoff time. The Pirates hang their hat on the defensive side, but junior Aidan Lisowski has gone for 20 points in each of the past two games.
My Pick: Cochrane-Fountain City
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 5:
North Crawford - 7
Southwestern - 8
Previous Matchups
North Crawford won 86-66 on Jan. 13
Southwestern is no stranger to playoff success, as they are hardened in the SWAL during the regular season and when they drop down to Division 5, usually find success, leading to sectional appearances. The Wildcats have beat back-to-back Ridge & Valley teams, including second-seed Kickapoo. Carsen Splinter and Aiden Keleher can get hot and stay hot for head coach Clint Nemitz.
North Crawford is deep, has a handful of kids that can score, and a senior point guard that doesn’t like to lose. Add in the return of their muscle and attitude Landen Blaha, and the Trojans are a tough out. Belmont pushed Crawford in the regional championship, but Crawford came out on top to earn this matchup with a tough Southwestern squad.
My Pick: North Crawford
Sectional 4
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 5:
Barneveld - 17
Abundant Life Christian - 31
Previous Matchups
NA
It’s been a relatively easy go of it for Abundant Life in these playoffs with three double digit wins. The Challengers have been to the state tournament two years in a row with plenty of these players knowing what it takes to get their again, having been a part of it.
Barneveld has won all three of its playoff games by 20+ points and are on a bit of a tear. The Golden Eagles not only have scored the ball at a high clip, but defended well in these playoffs, allowing 41.7 points per game.
For each team, it will be the toughest challenge yet in these playoffs, and one that will likely be a close contest.
My Pick: Barneveld
#1 Oakfield v #2 Sheboygan Lutheran at Campbellsport
Bound Power Index Rank in Division 5:
Sheboygan Lutheran - 3
Oakfield - 4
Previous Matchups
NA
Sheboygan Lutheran cruised its way to a regional championship, winning each game by no less than 31 points. That sort of domination can be a good and bad thing going into a sectional semifinal, but head coach Nick Verhagen has been to this point plenty of times, leading the Crusaders to a Division 5 state runner-up finish a season ago.
Oakfield came one game shy of the state tournament a season ago, losing to Abundant Life Christian, and have a well-balanced team led by seniors Brayden Glugla, Broede Collien, and Bo Bijl. The Oakfs played much closer games in its two contests in the playoffs, but will now face off with another very strong private school in the sectionals.
My Pick: Sheboygan Lutheran
Sectional Final Picks
Prentice over Turtle Lake
Reedsville over Wabeno/Laona
North Crawford over Cochrane-Fountain City
Sheboygan Lutheran over Barneveld
Colton Wilson serves a contributor and member of Bound Wisconsin. Wilson has worked in high school sports for 10 years, covering the state of Wisconsin in various sports. He has had roles in content creation, boys basketball coverage, director of events, and data management. Wilson is a graduate of Richland Center High School where he will currently serves as the Varsity Reserve boys basketball coach, entering his eleventh year coaching at the high school level. Wilson also has officiated basketball and organized youth tournaments for multiple years. You can follow him on Twitter at @ColtonWilson23 or reach him at [email protected].
