Aquinas and senior Samantha Davis as well as Saint Croix Central are among the favorites in a loaded Division 3
DIVISION 3 | BRACKET
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(Times, dates, & locations subject to change; records & information as of 2/18)
SECTIONAL 1
Top Seeds
#1 Saint Croix Central (18-4, #1 in subsectional in Bound Power Index, UR)
#2 Prescott (15-8, #4 in Bound Power Index, UR)
#1 Wittenberg-Birnamwood (22-0, #1 in Bound Power Index, #3 in Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Hayward (21-2, #3 in Bound Power Index, UR)
Top Scorers
Violet Otto, Sr., Prescott: 24.1 PPG
Rory Salvesen, Sr., Wittenberg-Birnamwood: 23.5 PPG
Melaina Granquist, Sr., Wittenberg-Birnamwood: 22.1 PPG
Allie Robel, Sr., Elk Mound: 20.3 PPG
Catherine Williams, Jr., Saint Croix Falls: 19.0 PPG
Top Rebounders
Grace Braithwaite, Sr., Somerset: 13.1 RPG
Melaina Granquist, Sr., Wittenberg-Birnamwood: 11.9 RPG
Freya Alberg, Sr., Tomahawk: 11.5 RPG
Jill Kunert, Jr., Northwestern: 11.3 RPG
Kennadie Berg, Sr., Altoona: 11.0 RPG
Favorites
Saint Croix Central earns the top seed in the top portion of Sectional 1, though the Panthers are currently second in the Middle Border Conference standings behind Baldwin-Woodville, who is the three-seed in the group. Speaking of the Middle Border, Prescott is the number two seed, ahead of Baldwin-Woodville.
It’s a heavy top three in the lower half of the bracket, with undefeated Wittenberg-Birnamwood the top seed. The Chargers already own a win over third-seeded Mosinee in their outstanding season, as they’re looking to improve upon last year’s sectional final appearance. Seniors Rory Salvesen and Melaina Granquist each average more than 22 points per game for the Chargers.
Hayward is the number two seed in the the bottom subsectional, running away with the Heart O’North crown, as the only two losses came against Rice Lake and Saint Croix Central.
Mosinee is the third team in the bottom bracket that will be an undefeated conference champion, as the Indians have dominated the Great Northern Conference. The Indians have won 14 consecutive games since going down to Rice Lake in early January. While they haven’t been challenged in the conference schedule, Mosinee has impressive February non-league wins against Pacelli, Xavier, Colfax, and Shawano.
Upset Alert
It’s hard to see regional winners coming from outside the top few seeds, but Elk Mound could be one to watch. The number five seed in the upper bracket, the Mounders played the toughest schedule in the sectional. Senior Allie Robel is a 20-point per game scorer, while Isabella Kongshaug is another experienced senior for head coach Jordan Kongshaug.
Top Potential Match-Ups
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Hayward vs. Mosinee, Regional Final: This is quite the regional final matchup, as the lower bracket of Sectional 1 has three teams in the top 11 of the Bound Power Index. Mosinee is the champion of the Great Northern and ranked seventh in the Power Index, but has to go on the road in a regional final against Heart O’North champion Hayward.
Saint Croix Central vs. Baldwin-Woodville, Sectional Semifinal: Baldwin-Woodville would have to get past a tough Prescott team in a regional final possibility, but this would set up a very intriguing sectional game. Baldwin-Woodville twice beat Saint Croix Central by single digits in the regular season and clinched a Middle Border title with a win over Prescott on Thursday.
My Sectional Pick: Wittenberg-Birnamwood
SECTIONAL 2
The Seeds
#1 Aquinas (21-2, #2 in subsectional in Bound Power Index, #5 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Wisconsin Dells (23-0, #1 in Bound Power Index, #4 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#1 Edgerton (21-2, #1 in Bound Power Index, #7 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Lancaster (21-2, #2 in Bound Power Index, #6 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
Top Scorers
Lexie Olmstead, Fr., Lancaster: 23.8 PPG
Allyah Schwem, So., Viroqua: 23.5 PPG
Samantha Davis, Sr., Aquinas: 23.0 PPG
Halle Drew, Sr., Westfield: 21.2 PPG
Natalie Backhaus, Sr., Wisconsin Dells: 21.2 PPG
Top Rebounders
Ella Myers, Jr., River Valley: 13.5 RPG
Rianna Dye, Jr., Platteville; 12.6 RPG
Ali Chestelson, Fr., Viroqua: 11.6 RPG
Natalie Backhaus, Sr., Wisconsin Dells: 11.0 RPG
Carli Slater, Sr., Evansville: 10.3 RPG
Favorites
A pair of top five teams in the upper portion of the bracket plus two other ranked teams in the half make this one of the strongest sectionals in Division 3. The top part features undefeated Wisconsin Dells, who wasn’t challenged for most of its schedule but has recent victories over Winneconne and La Crosse Central that certainly strengthen their resume. The Dells actually got the two-seed, as the top seed went to Aquinas, who is 21-2 with single-digit losses to Kettle Moraine Lutheran and Regis in non-conference contests.
Edgerton is the top seed in the bottom subsectional, as the Crimson Tide ran away with the Rock Valley-Rock title and surpassed 20 victories. It’s a well-balanced bunch, with Gracee Langer, Marti Rebman, Claudia Jenny, and Jolia Schalg all averaging between 9 and 15 points per game.
Lancaster shared the title in the SWC and is 21-3. The second seed in the lower bracket, the Flying Arrows are led by Lexie Olmstead, the leading freshman scorer in the entire state, as she pours in 23.8 points per game.
Upset Alert
There are some really high level teams in the top few seeds in each bracket, but one team we haven’t mentioned yet is Cuba City, the defending state champions in Division 4. Bumped up to D3 by the WIAA’s Tournament Performance Factor, the Cubans have the pedigree to make a run as a four-seed after winning a share of the SWAL title.
Top Potential Match-Ups
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Aquinas vs. Wisconsin Dells, Sectional Semifinal: This is a state-tournament caliber game between two of the best teams in the state. There was some uncertainty on who would get the one-seed in the group, which ultimately went to Aquinas, but in the sectional semifinal, it won’t matter, as it would be played at a neutral site. Wisconsin Dells’ senior duo of Natalie Backhaus and Ashiya Hopkins is as good as any, and youngsters Jazlyn Alwin and Aja Gall provide additional scoring threats. Could they contain Aquinas senior Ms. Basketball finalist Samantha Davis, however.
Platteville vs. Lancaster, Regional Final: These teams battled it out for the SWC title, with Platteville winning a one-point thriller on Thursday night to force a share of the crown. Both games were highly competitive, and a third would be must-watch in southwest Wisconsin.
My Sectional Pick: Aquinas
SECTIONAL 3
The Seeds
#1 Denmark (19-4, #3 in subsectional in Bound Power Index, UR)
#2 Winneconne (19-3, #1 in Bound Power Index, UR)
#1 Oostburg (22-0, #1 in Bound Power Index, #1 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Laconia (18-5, #2 in Bound Power Index, UR)
Top Scorers
Finley Morgan, Jr., Laconia: 20.3 PPG
Ady Ketterhagen, Sr., Oostburg: 20.2 PPG
Isabelle Markevitch, Jr., Columbus: 18.0 PPG
Grace Mitchell, Jr., Winneconne: 17.4 PPG
Rylie Shallow, Sr., Oconto Falls: 17.0 PPG
Top Rebounders
Regan Kasten, Sr., Sturgeon Bay: 13.7 RPG
Brittany Reilly, Sr., Campbellsport: 13.3 RPG
Emma Resop, Sr., Ripon: 10.3 RPG
Calistin Schommer, So., North Fond du Lac: 10.2 RPG
Eden Schultz, Sr., Waupun: 10.1 RPG
Favorites
Denmark is one of the most surprising number one seeds in the state, as the Vikings have wrapped up their first conference title since 1997, going 19-4 overall. While the top seed, the team is number three in the Bound Power Index in the subsectional. Winneconne is the number two seed in the group but the highest in the Power Index by a good margin. The Wolves have played the toughest schedule of the bracket, and struggled a bit down the stretch, going 5-5 in the last 10 games.
Oostburg is as big of a bracket favorite as you’ll find in the state, because there’s a chance they may be the best team in the state, regardless of division. The Flying Dutch hold victories over a Who’s Who in the state, including larger teams Appleton East, Notre Dame, Whitefish Bay, Pewaukee, and most recently Arrowhead. The Ketterhagen bunch, head coach Isaiah, seniors Ady and Riley plus sophomore sensation Kinsley, are the catalysts.
Upset Alert
Seymour is the five-seed in the top bracket, where they’ll take on number 12 Clintonville. If they get past that game and one against Brillion, they’d potentially face top-seeded Denmark in a regional final. Seymour already played Denmark to a close nine-point loss, and have a very strong rating in the analytics. That could be a game to watch.
Top Potential Match-Ups
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Oostburg vs. Laconia, Sectional Semifinal: These teams are no strangers to the big stage. Both advanced to state last year, with Laconia making its fifth trip in the last seven years. Oostburg has been there 11 times overall, including a Division 3 state championship last season. There’s a similar dynamic, with Laconia head coach Chris Morgan coaching daughter Finley Morgan, while Oostburg counters with the Ketterhagen clan.
My Sectional Pick: Oostburg
SECTIONAL 4
The Seeds
#1 Kettle Moraine Lutheran ( 22-1, #1 in sectional in Bound Power Index, #2 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Lake Country Lutheran (17-6, #3 in Bound Power Index, UR)
#1 Milwaukee Academy of Science (16-3, #1 in Bound Power Index, #9 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Saint Thomas More (20-3, #2 in Bound Power Index, #8 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
Top Scorers
Ariell Allen, Jr., Milwaukee Academy of Science: 20.4 PPG
Hanna Bultman, Sr., St. Thomas More: 18.6 PPG
Laila Collier-White, Sr., Racine St. Catherine’s: 18.2 PPG
Milan Fullerton, Jr., Lake Mills: 18.2 PPG
Kourtlyn Guy, Jr., Milwaukee Academy of Science: 18.1 PPG
Top Rebounders
Jayda King, So., Racine St. Catherine’s: 12.0 RPG
AJ Minar, Sr., Shoreland Lutheran: 12.0 RPG
Hanna Bultman, Sr., St. Thomas More: 9.9 RPG
Jaila Washington, Jr., Brown Deer: 9.6 RPG
Aniyah Jones, Fr., Milwaukee Academy of Science: 9.5 RPG
Favorites
Kettle Moraine Lutheran is a strong favorite in the top part of the Sectional 4 bracket. The Chargers are 22-1 against a difficult schedule, playing all but two games against Division 1 and 2 opponents. The KML wins list includes Aquinas, Waunakee, Laconia, Muskego, Pius, Pewaukee, and Whitefish Bay.
Milwaukee Academy of Science and St. Thomas More are quite a bit ahead of the rest of the group in the lower part of Sectional 4. Science is 16-3 and has played almost all of their games against larger competition, with a strong list of victories. St. Thomas More doesn’t have quite the list fo victories, but sits at 20-3 behind a strong group of upperclassmen.
Upset Alert
Shoreland Lutheran is a six seed and has to play in the first round, but should they win, they’d travel to third-seeded Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy. Fuller is 18-5 but has played one of the weakest schedules in the state and Shoreland would have a good chance to pull off the seed upset.
Top Potential Match-Ups
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Lake Country Lutheran vs. Lakeside Lutheran, Regional Final: These Lutheran schools often face each other in non-conference games across numerous sports, and that includes a girls hoops game back in December. In that one, Lake Country Lutheran won a low-scoring 44-26 game.
My Sectional Pick: Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].