The WIAA high school boys basketball is set to begin next week with the first round of regional action on Tuesday, March 3. Below is a preview for Division 1 with a sectional by sectional breakdown.

For all the scores, streams, and game previews, head over to the game pages listed at the links below.

To see my state tournament picks, scroll to the bottom.

#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 football 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, though the two seed would likely be considered the favorite here, though a late season injury may be a determining factor in that. The Lightning shared the FVA conference title with Kaukauna this season, the first in North’s program history. The starting five is extremely talented with all five starters likely playing at the next level.

Nine seed Neenah is no normal nine seed. They’ll go on the road to Hudson on Friday night. The Rockets have challenged all the teams in the FVA this year and controls the pace to stay competitive with just about anyone.

(Not a top 4-seed)

There’s a few options here with nine seed Neenah being one of those squads, along with seven seed Kimberly, and six seed Superior. I talked about Neenah being a first round upset squad so I won’t choose the Rockets here, though I do believe they can go on a run.

Kimberly is another team in the FVA that has been hot, especially as of late. The Papermakers have won six of their last seven games with wins over Oshkosh North, Onalaska, and Kaukauna in that stretch. Head coach Kam Cerroni is in his first year with Kimberly, but has done a great job of getting his squad to click when it matters. Alex Krause and Kegan Pleau have led the charge for a squad that has five players averaging seven or more points per game.

Emphasis on the word ‘potential’

D.C. Everest v Neenah in regional final: This matchup is intriguing as it pits a battle-tested FVA squad against the co-champ in the Wisconsin Valley conference. The Rockets can play with anyone, and Everest has beaten most in its path this year.

Kimberly v Appleton North in regional final: As mentioned, Kimberly is on a roll as of late. If this matchup happens, it’ll be the third between the two FVA opponents at Appleton North. The Lightning won both of the regular season games, winning the most recent by 12.

Appleton North v Marshfield in sectional seminfinal: Marshfield has already beaten FVA co-champ Kaukauna this season, and looked impressive doing so. The Tigers came out of this sectional last season, going through FVA squads on the way. This would be a fun matchup with some really good individual talent.

Appleton North v Kaukauna in sectional final: This potential matchup would be the go-home in the series between these two FVA co-champs with a trip to Madison on the line. They split the season series, with Kaukauna winning by one in mid-December, and North taking the re-match by 11 in late January.

Kaukauna

#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 football 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 tournament plenty of times, and head coach Brian Winchester and staff have built the Redbirds program to be able to stay competitive year after year despite the loss of some talented players to graduation over the last few years. In a sectional that has the FRCC, Greater Metro, and Classic Eight champions along with a handful of other competitors, De Pere has been the most consistent.

There are a handful that could be chosen here with Homestead, Pewaukee, and Oshkosh North being programs that have had post season success in years past and could win their first round matchup.

For this selection, I’m going to choose Homestead. Sean Crider’s group just recently knocked off Whitefish Bay to keep the Blue Dukes from winning a share of the North Shore title. The Highlanders did that without junior guard Michael Rogers Jr. They’ll head to Menomonee Falls on Friday night, a team that is no slouch out of the Greater Metro which is one of a handful of great games in on the Friday sectional semifinal night.

(Not a top 4-seed)

Seven seed Bay Port hosts ten seed Oshkosh North in a game that features two teams that could make a deep run in these playoffs. It’s a top matchup in the sectional, regardless of level.

I’m going to take a cop out and say that whichever team wins that game, is my pick to make a deep run into sectionals.

Emphasis on the word ‘potential’

Bay Port v Oshkosh North in regional semifinal: As mentioned above, these two teams have won 34 games between the pair and both are playing well now when it counts.

Germantown v Hartford in regional final: Neither team has an easy first game, but if both come away victorious, it sets up an intriguing regional final between a co-champ in the Greater Metro and a Chris Smith led group from the North Shore.

Arrowhead v Brookfield East in sectional semifinal: Both of squads would need to hold off a very good low seed in order to get to this point, which is no tall task. If it comes to fruition, it’s Greater Metro co-champ v Classic Eight champ.

De Pere

#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 football 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 likely favorite despite the fact they lost to five-seed Middleton in the last game of the regular season, forcing a share of the Big Eight conference title.

Steve Collins knows what it takes to get to the Kohl Center. It has been a while since the Big Eight was represented at the year end showcase, but I do believe it happens in March.

Madison La Follette as a ten seed is dangerous with the individual talent that is in abundance. Thian Riak, Reece Jordan Jr. and company will have to get through a red hot Monona Grove squad however to get to the regional final.

(Not a top 4-seed)

Middleton is the obvious answer here as a five-seed and co-champion of the Big Eight conference. The Cardinals won 20 games this year and are one of the teams from the Big Eight that has a legit opportunity to break the streak of no Big Eight team at the state tournament.

Emphasis on the word ‘potential’

Middleton v Waunakee in regional final: Big Eight co-champ v Badger-Large co-champ. The Warriors have had playoff success over the Big Eight in past years, most recently in their state tournament run a season ago.

Monona Grove v Beloit Memorial in regional final: It’ll be no easy task for MG in the regional semis v La Follette, but if they get past them, a matchup with Beloit Memorial likely awaits. The Silver Eagles have won eight of their last nine games while Beloit Memorial has been fun to watch all year.

Verona v Beloit Memorial in sectional semifinal: The possibility of this matchup would mean a likely high scoring contest on a neutral site in front of a raucous crowd. Both teams can flat out score the ball.

Madison Memorial v Middleton in sectional semifinal: The third matchup between these two would be a doozy, and one with huge implications. They split the season series with both being double-digit games. The winner would be my favorite to get to the Kohl Center.

Madison Memorial

#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 favorite to win the state title, as they’ve had one of the most dominating seasons in boys basketball history in our state. The Vikings can beat you in any sense of the game, and then defend at a high level on top of that. Wisco is the favorite of favorites, and it’s hard to argue against why.

I don’t see an obvious regional semifinal upset in this sectional, so I’d go with nine seed Marquette over eight seed Oak Creek. Oak Creek has played most of this season without Noah Daniel and his availability is unknown. Marquette was challenged in the Greater Metro nightly and that is critical for a team come playoff time.

(Not a top 4-seed)

With Wisconsin Lutheran and West Allis Central being heavy favorites in their regionals, we’d have to look opposite for a dark horse to meet those two in a sectional semifinal.

Five seed Franklin fits that bill easily, but I’m going to go with another Southeast conference school in six seed Kenosha Bradford. The Red Devils would need to get by Milwaukee Riverside and then would have a likely matchup with undefeated Southeast conference champion Racine Case. Bradford lost both games to Case on the year, but fell by just four in the most recent matchup on this past Thursday.

Emphasis on the word ‘potential’

Racine Case v West Allis Central in sectional semifinal: Case is the undefeated Southeast conference champion and has a good mix of upper and lower classmen that show the depth of the Eagles. Six players average over eight points and eight average over five for Case. West Allis Central is loaded with individual talent and is one of the top two teams in the state in many rankings.

West Allis Central v Wisconsin Lutheran in sectional final: This game could very well be a state championship game as both have been the two best teams in the state for a majority of the season. The Bulldogs are playing without senior star Yusef Gray Jr. at this moment, but there is a possibility he returns at some point in the playoffs. If so, this game becomes that much more anticipated.

Wisconsin Lutheran

Wisconsin Lutheran over Kaukauna
De Pere over Madison Memorial

Wisconsin Lutheran over De Pere

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