WIAA Boys Basketball Sectional Preview
We take a look at area teams competing in sectional play Thursday evening. For each game involving area teams, OnFocus reached out to head coaches for their thoughts. Coaches sending in previews after this is published will have their thoughts added.
DIVISION 2
#1 Medford #3 La Crosse Central @ Menomonie
Livestream: La Crosse Central vs. Medford – OnFocus Sports Stream
Computer Prediction: La Crosse Central by 1
Lacrosse Central Preview: Head Coach Todd Fergot
Keys to the Regular Season
- What have been the keys to your success in the regular season?
- If I am speaking based on MY opinion, then it is two things: 1) God and 2) great kids. Based on my own personal faith, God is the one who gets the glory in everything and He has placed me in a great school district and blessed me with amazing student athletes who I get to coach daily. This year’s group of kids has sacrificed for many years to get to this point. They all play multiple sports, yet they have dedicated themselves to basketball in the season and the off season. They are high character kids who come to practice daily ready to get better, be coached hard, and do whatever it takes for the team to have success. We have had a foundation laid down by teams in the past of what it takes to have success and what it means to be RELENTLESS on the floor, but I think last year’s team and this year’s team have had amazing leadership with the seniors and best players on the team. You need your best players to be great leaders and when they are and they treat everyone on the team with respect and like they are important, everyone thrives.
- What have been the keys to your success in earning a regional title?
- In general, the same things that made us successful in the regular season have helped us earn a regional title. To add to that though, I think our guys have committed to Doing What We Do at the highest level they can. Their focus and intensity in practice and in the games during the playoffs has been second to none. They know what they want to accomplish as a team and that it will take all 15 guys on the roster to achieve victory. They are at point where they are just ready to leave everything on the floor AND as Jack Bennett says, Give It Your Best and Live With It!”
#4 New London #3 Mosinee @WaupacaLivestream: Mosinee vs. New London – Newman Catholic vs. Pacelli – Zaleski Sports Stream
Computer Prediction: Mosinee by 3
Mosinee Preview: Head Coach Matthew Lindsey
- a daily commitment to getting better every day
- competing each day in practice and in games
- daily tracking of shooting
- playing for each other
- team culture
- role identification
- the energy that the players bring daily
- high standards we hold for each other – created together as a team at the beginning of the season
- player buy-in into our team philosophies
- strength of our conference and non-conference schedule
- continually pushing each other to reach for more, meet and exceed our daily commitments
- players that have become a family throughout the season’s ups and downs
- energy & competitive nature of our players
- players who pick each other up
- player buy-in into our team philosophies
New London Preview: Head Coach Zach Molner
DIVISION 4
#1 Marathon #2 Auburndale @Marshfield
Livestream: Auburndale vs. Marathon – WXCO Stream
Auburndale vs. Marathon – Zaleski Sports Stream
Computer Prediction: Marathon by 1
Marathon Preview: Head Coach Adam Jacobson
Auburndale Preview: Head Coach Chat Weinfurter
We really have done a nice job of sharing the ball on offense. We do not usually turn the ball over a lot and have done a good job of getting the shots we want. We were not a very good rebounding or defensive team to start the season. Those two areas have gotten better and we continue to work on them.
*** Plays Winner of >>>
#1 St. Mary Catholic #2 Crivitz @Oconto Falls
Livestream: Crivitz vs. St. Mary Catholic – WSFQ Stream
Crivitz vs. St. Mary Catholic – Oconto Falls H.S. Stream
Computer Prediction: St. Mary Catholic by 3
(Game preview requests sent to Crivitz, St. Mary Catholic, not received)
DIVISION 5
#1 Solon Springs #2 Hurley
@ Ashland
Livestream:
Computer Prediction: Solon Springs by 2
*** Plays Winner of >>>
#1 McDonell Central #31 Thorp @ Chippewa Falls
Livestream: McDonell Catholic vs. Thorp – WOGO Stream
Computer Prediction: McDonell Central by 11
(Game preview requests submitted to Solon Springs and Hurley, not received)
#1 Newman Catholic #2 Pacelli @Wausau West
Livestream: Newman Catholic vs. Pacelli – WPCN Stream | WXCO Stream #2
Computer Prediction: Newman Catholic by 1
Newman Head Coach Jeff Waldvogel
What have been the keys to your success in the regular season?
Playing for each other and focusing on team success over individual success
What have been the keys to your success in earning a regional title?
*** Plays Winner of >>>
#8 Gibraltar #2 Three Lakes @Suring
Livestream: Gibraltar vs. Three Lakes – WSBW Stream | WDOR Stream
Computer Prediction: Three Lakes by 10
We really have done a nice job of sharing the ball on offense. We do not usually turn the ball over a lot and have done a good job of getting the shots we want. We were not a very good rebounding or defensive team to start the season. Those two areas have gotten better and we continue to work on them.
DIVISION 5
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
