Boys Basketball Bracket Breakdown - Division 5 - Sections 3-4
With boys basketball playoffs starting on Tuesday, let’s take a look at the teams competing with the dream of bringing the Gold Ball back home at the end of the tournament. We’ll take a look at every team in the tournament, their ranking according to us at Zaleski Sports, and a key player to watch for each team.
*Stats Courtesy of Wissports*
*Team Records Courtesy of the WIAA*
*Zaleski Sports Rankings are from the complete regular season, including week after Bracket Release*
Section 3 (Final at La Crosse Logan)
Sectional A: (Semi at Arcadia)
(1) Columbus Catholic Dons (22-2) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 2 – Cloverbelt-East Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Coulee Christian
Player to Watch: #0 Emmitt Konieczny, Sr (14.5 PPG, 4.2 Assists – 1,219 Career Points)
(2) Royall Panthers (22-2) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 6 – Scenic Bluffs Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Greenwood
Player to Watch: #34 Carter Uppena, Jr (15.5 PPG, 5.5 Rebounds, 3.4 Assists – 968 Career Points)
(3) Cochrane-Fountain City Pirates (17-6) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 10 – Dairyland-Small Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs New Lisbon
Player to Watch: #1 Cameron Lipinski, Jr (15.6 PPG, 6.2 Rebounds)
(4) Alma Center Lincoln Hornets (20-4) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 14 – 2nd in Dairyland-Small
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Gilmanton/Independence
Player to Watch: #2 Jace Paul, Jr (19.4 PPG, 8.1 Rebounds, 4.5 Assists – 1,204 Career Points)
(5) Port Edwards Blackhawks (15-9) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 38 – 3rd in CWC-South
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Eleva-Strum
Player to Watch: #5 Josh Tranel, Jr (15 PPG, 5.6 Rebounds, 4.5 Assists)
(6) Assumption Royals (11-13) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 52 – 5th in Marawood-South
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Plum City/Elmwood
Player to Watch: #11 JT Schlaefer, So (14.1 PPG, 5.7 Rebounds, 3.5 Assists)
(7) Alma/Pepin Rivermen (13-11) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 49 – 4th in Dairyland-Small
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Blair-Taylor
Player to Watch: #15 Evan Olson, Sr (14.3 PPG, 6 Rebounds, 2 Steals)
(8) Pittsville Panthers (14-10) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 63 – 4th in CWC-South
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Loyal
Player to Watch: #2 Jacob Hardinger, Sr (12.7 PPG, 5.8 Rebounds)
(9) Loyal Greyhounds (11-13) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 67 – 5th in Cloverbelt-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Pittsville
Player to Watch: #5 Bryce Deegan, So (10.7 PPG, 5 Rebounds, 1.6 Steals)
(10) Blair-Taylor Wildcats (9-15) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 80 – 3rd in Dairyland-Large
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Alma/Pepin
Player to Watch: #3 Ethan Kniseley, Jr (15.9 PPG, 4.4 Assists)
(11) Plum City/Elmwood Wolves (5-17) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 89 – 7th in Dunn-St. Croix
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Assumption
Player to Watch: #5 Lucas Glaus, Jr (19.4 PPG, 7.1 Rebounds)
(12) Eleva-Strum Cardinals (4-20) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 106 – 4th in Dairyland-Large
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Port Edwards
Player to Watch: #2 Carter Gunderson, Sr (17.1 PPG)
(13) Gilmanton/Independence Panthers (4-20) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 112 – 5th in Dairyland-Small
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Alma Center Lincoln
Player to Watch: #4 Brandon Sylla, Sr (12.5 PPG)
(14) New Lisbon Rockets (4-20) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 109 – T-6th in Scenic Bluffs
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Cochrane-Fountain City
Player to Watch: #10 Brayen Morey, Jr (7.2 PPG, 6 Rebounds)
(15) Greenwood Indians (0-23) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 125 – 8th in Cloverbelt-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Royall
Player to Watch: #2 Keegan Gipe, Fr (12.1 PPG)
(16) Coulee Christian Eagles (0-18) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 127 – Independent
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Columbus Catholic
Player to Watch: #15 Zach Mertes, Sr
Sectional B: (Semi at Prairie du Chien)
(1) Potosi Chieftains (20-4) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 3 – Six Rivers-West Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Wonewoc-Center
Player to Watch: #34 Gavin Wunderlin, Sr (13.5 PPG, 5.6 Rebounds – 1,449 Career Points)
(2) Cashton Eagles (21-3) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 9 – 2nd in Scenic Bluffs
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Brookwood
Player to Watch: #2 Noah Hemmersbach, Sr (24.3 PPG, 6.3 Rebounds)
(3) River Ridge Timberwolves (19-4) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 7 – 2nd in Six Rivers-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs La Farge
Player to Watch: #5 Matthew Nies, Sr (14.2 PPG, 8.7 Rebounds, 2.7 Blocks)
(4) North Crawford Trojans (20-4) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 15 – Ridge & Valley Co-Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Weston
Player to Watch: #11 Cullen Jacobus, So (13.4 PPG, 5.3 Rebounds)
(5) Ithaca Bulldogs (20-4) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 12 – Ridge & Valley Co-Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Kickapoo
Player to Watch: #11 Channing Brown, Jr (23 PPG, 3.6 Steals – 1,202 Career Points)
(6) De Soto Pirates (17-7) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 25 – 3rd in Ridge & Valley
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Cassville
Player to Watch: #20 Landon Pedretti, Sr (18.5 PPG, 5.5 Rebounds, 3.2 Assists – 1,344 Career Points)
(7) Highland Cardinals (13-10) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 39 – 4th in Six Rivers-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Wauzeka-Steuben
Player to Watch: #2 Michael Esser, Jr (13.8 PPG, 10 Rebounds, 1.4 Blocks)
(8) Hillsboro Tigers (14-10) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 44 – 4th in Scenic Bluffs
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Seneca
Player to Watch: #1 Isaiah Stokes, Sr (19.4 PPG, 7.2 Rebounds, 2.7 Steals – 1,244 Career Points)
(9) Seneca Royals (10-12) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 56 – T-4th in Ridge & Valley
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Hillsboro
Player to Watch: #5 Dawson Davidson, Jr (16 PPG, 2.5 Steals)
(10) Wauzeka-Steuben Hornets (9-14) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 65 – T-4th in Ridge & Valley
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Highland
Player to Watch: #24 Cooper Lomas, So (17.6 PPG, 9.3 Rebounds)
(11) Cassville Comets (8-16) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 78 – T-5th in Six Rivers-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at De Soto
Player to Watch: #1 Eli Adams, Sr (15.9 PPG, 6.9 Rebounds – 1,248 Career Points)
(12) Kickapoo Panthers (8-16) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 84 – 8th in Ridge & Valley
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Ithaca
Player to Watch: #23 Ry Gehrke, Sr (15.2 PPG, 9.3 Rebounds)
(13) Weston Silver Eagles (6-17) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 104 – 8th in Ridge & Valley
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at North Crawford
Player to Watch: #23 Garrett Jennings, Jr (15.2 PPG, 5.4 Rebounds)
(14) La Farge Wildcats (6-18) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 98 – 7th in Ridge & Valley
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at River Ridge
Player to Watch: #5 Hayden Fowell, Sr
(15) Brookwood Falcons (4-20) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 111 – 6th in Scenic Bluffs
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Cashton
Player to Watch: #2 Brady Hansen, Sr (12.2 PPG, 5.2 Rebounds)
(16) Wonewoc-Center Wolves (1-22) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 123 – 8th in Scenic Bluffs
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Potosi
Player to Watch: #21 Zander Myers, Sr
Section 4 (Final at Evansville)
Sectional A: (Semi at Janesville Parker)
(1) Abundant Life Christian Challengers (22-2) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 1 – Trailways-South Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Juda
Player to Watch: #2 Jacob Koon, Jr (14.7 PPG, 5.7 Assists, 3.6 Steals)
(2) Barneveld Golden Eagles (18-6) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 20 – Six Rivers-East Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Black Hawk
Player to Watch: #1 Kasey Helgeson, Sr (18.5 PPG, 8.8 Rebounds)
(3) Shullsburg Miners (17-7) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 22 – 3rd in Six Rivers-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Benton
Player to Watch: #1 Heath Poppy, Sr (21.6 PPG, 9 Rebounds, 4.2 Assists, 3.9 Steals, 2.5 Blocks – 1,551 Career Points)
(4) Southwestern Wildcats (15-9) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 34 – 3rd in SWAL
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Madison Country Day
Player to Watch: #10 Everett Droessler, Jr (13.7 PPG, 5.8 Rebounds, 3.4 Assists)
(5) Argyle Orioles (16-7) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 26 – 2nd in Six Rivers-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Rio
Player to Watch: #12 Willie Helfvogt, Sr (16.1 PPG)
(6) Fall River Pirates (15-9) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 32 – 3rd in Trailways-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Belmont
Player to Watch: #4 Shavlik Schultz, Sr (18.1 PPG, 5.6 Rebounds, 2.5 Steals – 1,103 Career Points)
(7) Pecatonica Vikings (14-8) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 50 – 3rd in Six Rivers-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Saint Ambrose
Player to Watch: #1 Tyler McKeon, Sr
(8) Monticello Ponies (9-14)– Zaleski Sports Rank: 85 – 4th in Six Rivers-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Albany
Player to Watch: #0 Ryer Indergand, Sr (21.6 PPG, 6.4 Rebounds – 1,046 Career Points)
(9) Albany Comets (12-12) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 76 – 5th in Six Rivers-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Monticello
Player to Watch: #34 Ty Durtschi, Fr (12.1 PPG)
(10) Saint Ambrose Guardians (7-16) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 82 – Indpendent
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Pecatonica
Player to Watch: #11 Anthony Lynn, Jr (11.8 PPG)
(11) Belmont Braves (6-18) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 93 – T-5th in Six Rivers-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Fall River
Player to Watch: #10 Carter Kettler, Sr (11.6 PPG)
(12) Rio Vikings (3-21) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 103 – 8th in Trailways-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Argyle
Player to Watch: #30 Sam Hartley, Sr (12.8 PPG, 7.4 Rebounds)
(13) Madison Country Day Prairie Hawks (4-19) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 110 – 7th in Trailways-South
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Southwestern
Player to Watch: #11 Rocco Jones, So (16.3 PPG, 5.9 Rebounds, 2.3 Steals)
(14) Benton Zephyrs (2-22) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 116 – 7th in Six Rivers-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Shullsburg
Player to Watch: #20 Eli Blaine, Sr (13.6 PPG, 5.8 Rebounds, 2.5 Assists)
(15) Black Hawk Warriors (2-22) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 119 – 6th in Six Rivers-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Barneveld
Player to Watch: #10 Carter Baumgartner, Sr
(16) Juda Panthers (0-22) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 126 – 7th in Six Rivers-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Abundant Life Christian
Player to Watch: #20 Jayden Brown, So
Sectional B: (Semi at Watertown)
(1) Salam Stars (20-4) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 8 – Lake City Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Catholic Central
Player to Watch: #35 Ahmad Badwan, Sr (31.3 PPG, 14.6 Rebounds – 1,626 Career Points)
(2) Oakfield Oaks (17-7) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 11 – Trailways-East Co-Champion
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 University Lake School
Player to Watch: #2 Mitchell Moser, Jr (12 PPG, 4 Rebounds)
(3) Central Wisconsin Christian Crusaders (15-9) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 23 – 3rd in Trailways-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Sheboygan Christian
Player to Watch: #14 Brock Hoekstra, Sr (15.5 PPG, 10.4 Rebounds – 974 Career Points)
(4) Eastbrook Academy Warriors (16-7) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 40 – 3rd in Lake City
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Wayland Academy
Player to Watch: #13 J’Ali Thornton, Sr
(5) Palmyra-Eagle Panthers (16-8) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 42 – 3rd in Trailways-South
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Cambria-Friesland
Player to Watch: #35 Devin Patrick, Jr (11.5 PPG, 11.4 Rebounds)
(6) Ozaukee Warriors (13-11) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 41 – 4th in Big East-South
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Chesterton Academy
Player to Watch: #21 Bret Hamm, Sr (16.2 PPG, 6.8 Rebounds, 4.7 Assists – 1,111 Career Points)
(7) Hustisford Falcons (11-11) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 51 – 5th in Trailways-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Johnson Creek
Player to Watch: #4 Caleb Peplinski, Jr (18.7 PPG, 11.5 Rebounds, 2.6 Blocks)
(8) Faith Christian Eagles (14-10) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 57 – 4th in Lake City
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 vs Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah
Player to Watch: #0 Joey Dummitt, Sr
(9) Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Resorters (11-13) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 70 – 5th in Big East-North
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Faith Christian
Player to Watch: #23 Brody Feldmann, Jr (20.1 PPG, 7.1 Rebounds)
(10) Johnson Creek Bluejays (10-13) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 77 – T-4th in Trailways-South
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Hustisford
Player to Watch: #10 Dylan Bredlow, Sr (12.3 PPG, 8.1 Rebounds, 1.2 Blocks)
(11) Chesterton Academy Knights (7-14) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 94 – 7th in Lake City
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Ozaukee
Player to Watch: #12 Mathias Erickson, So
(12) Cambria-Friesland Hilltoppers (9-14) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 75 – 6th in Trailways-West
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Palmyra-Eagle
Player to Watch: #23 Carter Drews, Jr (14.4 PPG, 9.2 Rebounds)
(13) Wayland Academy Big Red (4-16) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 97 – 7th in Trailways-East
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Eastbrook Academy
Player to Watch: #2 Sam Porras, Jr (19.9 PPG, 7.7 Rebounds, 3.4 Assists, 3.6 Steals)
(14) Sheboygan Christian Eagles (5-19) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 92 – 6th in Big East-South
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Central Wisconsin Christian
Player to Watch: #4 Cameron Ferraino, So (12.8 PPG, 5.2 Rebounds)
(15) University Lake School Lakers (1-20) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 120 – T-9th in Lake City
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Oakfield
Player to Watch: #10 Ben Hardgrove, Sr (11.7 PPG)
(16) Catholic Central Hilltoppers (1-23) – Zaleski Sports Rank: 118 – 12th in Midwest Classic
Opening matchup: Tuesday 2/27 at Salam
Player to Watch: #15 Sam Fait, Fr (15 PPG)