Here's a breakdown and predictions for Milwaukee-area girls basketball teams in the WIAA sectionals
A look at the WIAA girls basketball sectional games involving Milwaukee-area teams and predictions.
Division 1
Sectional 2
No. 1 Brookfield East vs. No. 4 Germantown
Brookfield East and Germantown face off for the sixth time in the past two seasons. After the Spartans took all three meetings from the Warhawks last season, including in the D1 state semifinals, the two Greater Metro Conference rivals split this season’s meetings. Germantown ended its funk against Brookfield East with a 77-69 victory on Feb. 16 and have won nine straight entering Thursday. The neutral-site rubber match should be a classic.
Prediction: Brookfield East, 66-59
No. 2 Kimberly vs. No. 3 Hartford
This may not be a meeting of conference rivals like the previous matchup, but this game could be just as fascinating. In terms of “good losses,” you’d be hard-pressed to find three tougher losses than the Papermakers’ defeats to Neenah, Fox Valley Association-champion Hortonville and top-ranked Pewaukee in D2. They haven’t lost since Jan. 23 and also hold a win over Brookfield East in November, which could bode well for them in the final. Hartford possesses one of the area’s best players in Minnesota recruit Makena Christian and enough depth to keep bodies fresh throughout. Buckle up for this showdown.
Prediction: Hartford, 70-64
Sectional final prediction: Brookfield East over Hartford
Sectional 3
No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 4 Kettle Moraine
The two-time defending-state champion Lasers find themselves back on the sectional stage under first-year coach Adam Stranc. The next challenge is undefeated and top-seeded Oregon. The Panthers are 26-0, but it got a bit sweaty in the regional final against Madison Memorial in a 61-59 thriller. Pressure can mount for top teams, especially ones that are in the midst of a state-title push with no losses. That could play in Kettle Moraine’s favor in its quest for a third straight trip to state. Oregon is the favorite and rightfully so, but don’t be surprised if the Lasers keep this close.
Prediction: Oregon, 71-62
No. 2 Arrowhead vs. No. 3 Verona
Speaking of Classic 8 programs facing undefeated teams, here’s a rematch from last year’s sectional semifinals. The Warhawks took last year’s meeting 72-57 behind 23 points from the now-graduated Bella Samz. They meet again in the semifinals with Verona undefeated. The Wildcats haven’t been challenged much down the stretch this season. In their past 11 games, they’ve won eight of them by more than 20 points. The Warhawks have challenged some of the state’s best throughout their schedule this season. They match up well with stars Reagan Briggs and Taylor Stremlow, but it’ll be a tough task to slow them down for four quarters. If Natalie Kussow can get some solid offensive support around her, the Warhawks can win.
Prediction: Arrowhead, 70-65
Sectional final prediction: Arrowhead over Oregon
Sectional 4
No. 1 Muskego vs. No. 4 Kenosha Tremper
Two teams in the midst of excellent seasons will play for a sectional final spot. Muskego sits at 21 wins a decade after a 1-23 season. Kenosha Tremper has won 18 games for the first time since the 2007-08 season (19-3). Muskego can’t get caught looking ahead here as the top seed. Tremper has been a tough team to deal with late defensively. Only two teams – Racine Case (twice) and DSHA – have broken the 60-point plateau against Tremper this season. Points could be at a premium in this one, but the Warriors and the grind through Classic 8 play should help.
Prediction: Muskego, 59-44
No. 2 Franklin vs. No. 3 Kenosha Bradford
Franklin is one step away from where their senior-laden team bowed out to eventual state champion Kettle Moraine last season. The Sabers had to tread water until senior guard Natalie Meaux returned to the lineup later this season and they did just that by capturing back-to-back Southeast Conference titles. But, as the saying goes, “It’s hard to beat a team three times in a season.” Franklin won both matchups this season, including 56-39 on Feb. 15. The first encounter was a 39-36 final without Meaux. Bradford will need quite a performance from Iyanna Green and Rihanna Barker offensively against a stingy Franklin bunch.
Prediction: Franklin, 58-46
Sectional final prediction: Muskego over Franklin
Division 2
Sectional 2
No. 1 Pewaukee vs. No. 3 Grafton
Grafton has had a solid 18-win season out of the North Shore Conference entering Thursday night, but it will have a tall task in the juggernaut from Pewaukee. The Pirates are a 1-point loss away against a defending Illinois state champion from an undefeated season so far. They’ve thoroughly dominated and hold victories over three-time defending D2 state-champion Notre Dame, Hortonville, Brookfield East, Homestead, McFarland, Kimberly and Arrowhead. Their resume is as impressive as anyone in the state regardless of division. It’s been a good season for the Black Hawks, but it likely ends here.
Prediction: Pewaukee, 81-59
Sectional 3
No. 1 McFarland vs. No. 3 Elkhorn
After last weekend’s regional title, Elkhorn’s charge for its first state tournament appearance in 27 years rolls into a matchup with Iowa recruit Teagan Mallegni and 2023 state semifinalist McFarland. The Elks pulled off an upset in their 58-52 regional final victory over Monona Grove, but they’ll have their hands full with Mallegni and her wizardry. The Spartans have been better on the defensive end, but this is the same team that allowed 92 points on Jan. 10 to the same Monona Grove team the Elks held almost under 50 last weekend. McFarland will need Mallegni’s offensive firepower or this could swing Elkhorn’s way, especially if Kyrin Lile continues her excellent season.
Prediction: McFarland, 74-68
Sectional 4
No. 1 Wauwatosa East vs. No. 2 Pius XI Catholic
The top four teams in this portion of the sectional all felt like they could be the one playing in a sectional final. Two of them are featured here in this matchup. The history of Pius’ tournament successes has been well-documented, but it hasn't been to state since 2015. Wauwatosa East hasn’t been on the state stage since 1981. One of these two programs could move to the doorstep of ending their droughts with a win here. Pius has come on strong down the stretch, but the Red Raiders feel like a team with something to prove and have all season.
Prediction: Wauwatosa East, 73-67
No. 1 Union Grove vs. No. 2 Whitnall
Let’s start this one with a disclaimer. Last year's sectional semifinal pick with Union Grove against a really good Waukesha West team backfired. Union Grove battled back from an 8-point deficit with 10:51 left in its season last year to win 52-51 over the Wolverines. Making a pick against Coach Rob Domagalski and his Broncos this time around feels like a bad move. They’ve been scorching lately and haven’t lost since Jan. 6. Whitnall has quietly had a good season out of the Woodland East and should make this a battle, but the Broncos have been rolling into this one.
Prediction: Union Grove, 56-48
Sectional final prediction: Wauwatosa East over Union Grove
Division 3
Sectional 4
No. 2 Kettle Moraine Lutheran vs. No. 4 Dominican
There’s a familiar feeling to this portion of the bracket. Milwaukee Academy of Science is making another deep playoff push while a team from the East Central Conference continues to build momentum toward a state tournament berth. Kettle Moraine Lutheran may not have had the slow start that last year’s state champion Kewaskum had, but the Chargers have been a viable challenger to fellow title contender Waupun during ECC play. Dominican has Keona McGee, which means it always will be in a ballgame. She affects the game in many ways and the Knights are always in the hunt this time of the year, especially after upsetting No. 1 Oostburg last week. This feels like another game that could be decided by a couple of possessions late.
Prediction: Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 54-50
No. 1 Catholic Memorial vs. No. 2 Milwaukee Academy of Science
Catholic Memorial hasn’t been to the state tournament since 2005, but this postseason could end that drought. The Crusaders are in the midst of their best season in almost 20 years and feel like one of the favorites to cut down the nets at the Resch Center in D3. Milwaukee Academy of Science came within an eyelash of cutting down those same nets a season ago as the state runner-up. They’ve lost Lalani Ellis and Beautiful Waheed, but the Novas have battled back through a gritty schedule and are back at sectionals once again. The Crusaders will be favored, but don’t count out the Novas. They’re athletic, they want to speed you up and, if they’re successful in doing that, it could make this a tricky game for the Crusaders.
Prediction: Catholic Memorial, 71-63
Sectional final prediction: Catholic Memorial over Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Division 4
Sectional 4
No. 1 The Prairie School vs. No. 3 Cambridge
The difference in this one could be simple. The Hawks have Jasonya “JJ” Barnes. That’s the main difference here. She’s missed some time this year, but in 16 games, she’s averaged 21.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game. She's a Division I prospect for a reason and when you add in Reese Jaramillo, Meg Decker and Amiyah Garcia all draining 20-plus triples this season to help space the floor, the Hawks could be too much for the Blue Jays with their first state appearance since 2013 in sight.
Prediction: The Prairie School, 73-58
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Predicting the Milwaukee-area girls basketball sectional matchups
