Eleva-Strum junior Avery Glenz
DIVISION 5 | BRACKET
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(Times, dates, & locations subject to change; records & information as of 2/19)
SECTIONAL 1
Top Seeds
#1 Webster (23-0, #1 in subsectional in Bound Power Index, #3 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Solon Springs (20-3, #2 in Bound Power Index, UR)
#1 Eleva-Strum (21-2, #1 in Bound Power Index, #1 in Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 New Auburn (23-1, #2 in Bound Power Index, #6 in Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
Top Scorers
Ashley Lawton, So., Flambeau: 23.0 PPG
Nora Jensen, Sr., New Auburn: 22.8 PPG
Kalli Nelson, Fr., Solon Springs: 21.1 PPG
Taylor Hansford, Jr., Frederic: 17.2 PPG
Claire Beerntsen, So., Solon Springs: 16.9 PPG
Top Rebounders
Gabi Radichel, Sr., Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran: 11.0 RPG
Anna Hautamaki, Jr., Bruce: 11.0 RPG
Tori Ohman, Jr., Glenwood City: 10.6 RPG
Faith Kolano, Jr., Greenwood/Granton: 10.5 RPG
Tatym Travis, Sr., Greenwood/Granton: 10.4 RPG
Favorites
Webster is undefeated and the top seed in the upper part of the bracket, as the Tigers are well in front of the rest of the field when reviewing the Bound Power Index. the Tigers are led by a solid group of upperclassmen, with four players averaging between 8 and 13 points per game.
In the bottom part of the bracket, Eleva-Strum is significantly ahead of the other teams as well, as the Cardinals are undefeated and have played one of the tougher schedules in the group. New Auburn can’t be forgotten, as the Tigers are 23-1, though they haven’t played the same level of schedule as Eleva-Strum. In fact, New Auburn’s only loss was against Independence/Gilmanton, a team Eleva-Strum beat twice.
Upset Alert
Owen-Withee is a three seed, but the team’s 17-7 record doesn’t look quite as sparkling as Eleva-Strum or New Auburn. Still, the team competes in the Cloverbelt-East Conference, and has seen some really good teams this year, with their losses generally coming against teams in D4 rated pretty highly.
Top Potential Match-Ups
Please note the emphasis on potential.
New Auburn vs. Owen-Withee, Regional Final: New Auburn is 23-1, but a matchup against Owen-Withee would be a very difficult one for the Trojans. Owen-Withee plays in a larger, tougher conference as part of the Cloverbelt-East, and has faced a number of teams that will have prepared them well for this moment.
Webster vs. Eleva-Strum, Sectional Final: This would be a showdown of unbeaten teams to head to the state tournament. Eleva-Strum can fill it up offensively, with a strong junior class leading the way. Webster is a bit more defense-oriented, limiting teams to just 31 points per game this season.
My Sectional Pick: Eleva-Strum
SECTIONAL 2
The Seeds
#1 Independence/Gilmanton (19-5, #1 in subsectional in Bound Power Index, #8 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Blair-Taylor (17-6, #2 in Bound Power Index, UR)
#1 Argyle/Pecatonica (19-4, #1 in Bound Power Index, #4 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Shullsburg (16-8, #3 in Bound Power Index, UR)
Top Scorers
Kylie Butler, Sr., Argyle/Pecatonica: 21.3 PPG
Izabel Durst, Sr., Barneveld: 20.9 PPG
Kylee Venner, Jr., De Soto: 20.0 PPG
Brooke Wellnitz, Jr., Argyle/Pecatonica: 18.0 PPG
Maddy Place, Jr., Black Hawk: 17.9 PPG
Top Rebounders
Sylvia Krueger, Jr., De Soto: 12.0 RPG
Macy McKay, Sr., Riverdale: 11.9 RPG
Brooke Wellnitz, Jr., Argyle/Pecatonica: 11.6 RPG
Bria Gruen, Sr., Royall: 10.9 RPG
Andrea Waldera, Sr., Blair-Taylor: 10.6 RPG
Favorites
A couple Dairyland Conference teams lead the upper part of the bracket, Independence/Gilmanton from the Dairyland-Large and Blair-Taylor from the Small division. Independence/Gilmanton finished second in the Large division behind Eleva-Strum, while Blair-Taylor won the Small group.
The Six Rivers dominates the lower part of that bracket, including top-seeded Argyle/Pecatonica, who shared the title in the Six Rivers-East. The team has experience and talent, and a coach in Jen Wellnitz who has been to state as a player and a head coach.
Upset Alert
Cochrane-Fountain City is a six-seed, meaning if they can get past New Lisbon, the Pirates would likely face third-seeded De Soto. CFC has played a more challenging schedule and will be well-prepared for the Pirates from De Soto.
Top Potential Match-Ups
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Independence/Gilmanton vs. Blair-Taylor, Sectional Semifinal: These teams played twice during the regular season, splitting the games, though Independence/Gilmanton won by 22 in the most recent matchup.
Argyle/Monticello vs. Barneveld, Sectional Semifinal: Argyle/Pecatonica had a chance to clinch an outright Six Rivers-East title in the regular season finale against Barneveld, but a loss left the co-op program to share the crown with Albany/Monticello, as Barneveld finished a game back.
My Sectional Pick: Argyle/Pecatonica
SECTIONAL 3
The Seeds
#1 Florence (19-4, #2 in subsectional in Bound Power Index, UR)
#2 Lena (21-3, #1 in Bound Power Index, #10 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#1 Pacelli (19-4, #1 in Bound Power Index, #2 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
#2 Almond-Bancroft (20-4, #3 in Bound Power Index, #7 Bound WI/Zaleski Media Poll)
Top Scorers
Mya Dernbach, Sr., Almond-Bancroft: 23.8 PPG
Leah Lord, Fr., Prentice: 21.3 PPG
Elly Gardner, Fr., Columbus Catholic: 21.2 PPG
Jordyn Jaglinski, Sr., Assumption: 17.6 PPG
Jaedyn Zdroik, Jr., Pacelli: 16.6 PPG
Top Rebounders
Ella Thompson, Fr., Lena: 12.5 RPG
Leah Lord, Fr., Prentice: 12.2 RPG
Miley Vandenheuval, So., Florence: 12.1 RPG
Sophia Gagas, Fr., Rosholt: 12.0 RPG
Luci Pukall, Sr., Elcho: 10.6 RPG
Favorites
Florence is the top seed in the upper part of Sectional 3, finishing as the runner-up in the Northern Lakes Conference. Lena is the two-seed, also finishing as runner-up in the M&O Conference. The teams played head-to-head two weeks ago, with Florence winning 52-44, which helped the Bobcats grab the top seed.
By most any metric, the lower part of the bracket is stronger, however. It is led by top-seeded Pacelli, who won the CWC-South and is ranked second in the final Bound Wisconsin/Zaleski Sports Media Poll. Almond-Bancroft is the two-seed. You can’t forget about defending state champion Assumption either, who are a threat despite a 16-8 regular season record.
Upset Alert
Wabeno/Laona is the four-seed in the upper part of the bracket, and the Rebels could face Florence in a regional final. Interestingly enough, it was Wabeno/Laona that won the Northern Lakes Conference title, beating Florence twice in the process.
Top Potential Match-Ups
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Pacelli vs. Almond-Bancroft, Sectional Semifinal: Pacelli beat Almond-Bancroft twice en route to a league title this year, but both games were competitive.
Lena vs. Florence, Sectional Semifinal: The top two seeds in the upper part of Sectional 3, these teams met on February 10th, when Florence scored a 52-44 victory on the road at Lena.
My Sectional Pick: Pacelli
SECTIONAL 4
The Seeds
#1 Sheboygan Lutheran (17-7, #1 in sectional in Bound Power Index, UR)
#2 Valley Christian (16-7, #3 in Bound Power Index, UR)
#1 Chesterton Academy (18-4, #4 in Bound Power Index, UR)
#2 Fall River (13-11, #2 in Bound Power Index, UR)
Top Scorers
Zami Gary, So., Madison Country Day: 25.2 PPG
Mya Moran, Jr., Valley Christian: 23.3 PPG
Alyson henschel, Jr., Wild Rose: 20.2 PPG
Samantha Veldkamp, Jr., Sheboygan Christian: 19.6 PPG
Natalie Fietz, Sr., Fall River: 19.5 PPG
Top Rebounders
Kylie Hanke, So., Stockbridge: 12.6 RPG
Lily Streitmatter, Sr., Chesterton Academy: 11.8 RPG
Samantha Veldkamp, Jr., Sheboygan Christian: 11.6 RPG
Emma Sampson, Sr., Fall River: 11.1 RPG
Zami Gary, So., Madison Country Day: 10.2 RPG
Favorites
Sheboygan Lutheran is the top seed in the top part of the bracket, despite finishing a distant third in the Big East-South Conference behind strong larger division programs Oostburg and Kohler. The Crusaders have a nice mix of experienced and young talent.
Lourdes Academy and Valley Christian are also in the mix in that top portion of Sectional 4.
The lower part of the bracket features Chesterton Academy as the top seed, but the team’s 18-4 record is against a very weak schedule. The gap between this subsectional and not only the top part but the rest in Division 5 is pretty significant. Just four of the 13 teams have a winning record heading into the postseason.
Upset Alert
Sheboygan Christian was under .500 in the tough Big East-South Conference, though a 14-10 overall record was good enough to get the Eagles a five-seed. That challenging regular season should prepare them well to perhaps score a couple victories in the postseason.
Top Potential Match-Ups
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Valley Christian vs. Lourdes Academy, Regional Final: These teams shared the Trailways-East Conference title, splitting their regular season matchups. Valley Christian’s 60-53 win over Lourdes earlier this month marked the Warriors’ first win in the crosstown rivalry since 2008.
My Sectional Pick: Sheboygan 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].