Division One State Predictions

State tournament playoffs start a week from today so thought I would give my picks for state. I will give my favorites, contenders, and sleepers. I'll also give a little run down of each sectional.

Sectional One Wausau West 
Favorite: Stevens Point
Stevens Point is the odds on favorite to take this one but, they will have to get past the state runner up from a year ago Neenah who is the only team from Wisconsin that has beat them in the last two years. Point has the top two juniors in the state in 6'6 Sam Hauser and 6'2 Trevor Anderson.

Contenders
Neenah, Oshkosh North, and Superior. 
Neenah was in the title game a year ago and might have the top player in the sectional in 6'10 senior Matt Heldt. Oshkosh North is a perennial power and their 1-3-1 defense will keep them in every game. Superior is the outlier, they always have a great record but, they play in a Minnesota conference so their tough to judge.

Sleepers
Eau Claire Memorial, Chippewa Falls
These two teams have beaten some very good teams and played right with the likes of Superior and Rice Lake.

Sectional Four West Allis Central 
Favorite
Milwaukee King
The traditional power is a given to be at state every year and they are undefeated against teams in the state. The top contender Riverside, they beat by 20.

Contenders 
Milwaukee Riverside, Marquette, Racine Case
Riverside was extremely impressive when I saw them in person and their very deep and force teams to play their tempo. Marquette is a surprise team that has only lost four games this year. Racine Case has Darion King in the middle and lead guard Tyrese Pinson.

Sleepers 
Racine Horlick, West Allis Central
Horlick has a great record but, no one thought much of them preseason so that's why they fall into the sleeper category. WAC has struggled this year but, their another team I liked when I saw them and Brandon Key is one of the top point guards in the state.


Sectional Two Manitowoc Lincoln
Favorite 
Germantown
Defending state champs are undefeated and seemed poised to make another state run. Have a very tall team with a bunch of solid guys that are tough in the post and have a great lead guard in Jalen McCloud.

Contenders
Kimberly, Homestead, De Pere
Kimberly comes out of the always tough Fox Valley Association and they've beaten everyone in the conference at least once. Germantown would have to beat Homestead for a third time and Homestead has big man 6'7 Jaylen Key. De Pere is led by Brevin Pritzl a Badger recruit and if he gets hot De Pere could beat anyone and De Pere has played possibly the toughest schedule in the conference.

Sleepers
Sheboygan North, Arrowhead, Kettle Moraine, Mukwonago
North is always a tough out come playoff time and could easily upset a team or two. Arrowhead is led by 6'6 junior Bryce Nze who I could see leading a team deep in the playoffs. Kettle Moraine has a ton of talent and if they could put it all together could beat some very good teams. Mukwonago has been at state the past two years so their tough to ever count out.

Sectional Three Beloit
Favorite 
Madison Memorial
This is the sectional I know the most about but, also they one that has as many as nine different teams that could come out of the sectional. Memorial is the favorite but, any of those teams could beat Memorial and I wouldn't be surprised.

Contenders
Muskego, Kenosha Indian Trail 
Muskego is the #1 seed and have the best record so many people could have them as favorites but, I just think Memorial has played better competition. Kenosha Indian Trail has only lost three games and are the surprising team of the sectional.

Sleepers
Middleton, Madison La Follette, Madison East, Sun Prairie, Burlington
Middleton has been on top of the Big Eight all year long and when their hitting their threes they can beat anyone. Lafollette has some very good talent and if things get put together could make a run. East is another team that has been on top of the Big Eight this year and can play with any one. Sun Prairie all hinges on if they have Nick Noskowiak, which at this point I have no idea. With Noskowiak they were a state team and without him their just another decent team. Burlington is a team that has had a very good two years and have been ranked at times.

State
Stevens Point over Milwaukee King
Germantown over Madison Memorial

Finals
Stevens Point over Germantown

Point overall has the most talent in the starting five and don't see anyone matching up with Hauser and Anderson. Germantown has the size and coaching to go far. King also has the coaching and the depth like the other team. Memorial isn't as talented as the past but, their really hitting their prime right now.