Division Four Preseason Rankings

I'll be the first to admit that I don't follow the D4 rankings as closely as the other three divisions and that's because there are typically not as many great athletes in the smallest division because they are drawing from the smallest populations. That being said I do my best to predict the division but, for the most part I'm making my judgements on the teams that I may of never seen play.

This year is no different then the past 10 years or so in the fact that Randolph is one of the top teams in D4. Unlike the past though Randolph isn't a clear cut favorite, there are two other teams that are right there with them. The other two teams are Benton who won the division a year ago and then Sheboygan Christian who actually defeated Randolph in the playoffs a year ago. All three teams bring back big contributors from a year ago and should be a great three team race. Outside of those three teams no one else really has a huge shot to win it all, at least as of right now. The one problem with this is that all three of these teams come out of the same sectional and only one of these three teams will make state. Randolph and Sheboygan Christian should meet in the fourth round, the sectional semi final, with the winner facing Benton in the next round, the sectional final.

1. Randolph- Coaching and 6'9 senior Kyle Kelm gives Randolph the edge here.
2. Sheboygan County Christian- Eagles bring back three starters from a team that beat Randolph in the playoffs a year ago.
3. Benton- Three of their top six players return for the defending state champs.
4. Luck- Should benefit greatly from dropping down a division this year.
5. Barneveld- 6'3 senior Logan Johnson who is the returning conference player of the year for the Six Rivers East.
6. McDonell Central- Should be battle tested after playing the likes of Fall Creek and Eau Claire Regis during conference play.
7. Catholic Central- Another private school that should benefit from a very tough conference schedule.
8. Wausau Newman- Privates always seem to have the edge come playoff time in the lower division and should be no different with Newman.
9. Green Lake- 6'5 senior Brad Brooks is a star and should be tested after getting a chance to play Randolph in the regular season.
10. Suring- Eagles look to return to state behind 6'4 junior Chad Strehlow who averaged 19 points a game a year ago.

HM
Seneca
Cochrane-Fountain City

Well that concludes my preseason division rankings. Next few days I'll be focusing on the Big Eight and South Central conference which are the two conferences that I follow closely. Prior to the start of the actual season, I'm not sure what other posts I might come up with. My first game will be next Saturday as I'm planning on heading over to Baraboo to watch their Thanksgiving tournament and get a chance to see Josh Cameron and Racine Park play.