Rematches and Homecourt Advantages Headline Sectional Finals
The process continues. All of the teams playing on Saturday night have visions of playing at the Resch Center in Green Bay for the state tournament, but the reality is only half will be able to be under the spotlight…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe process continues. All of the teams playing on Saturday night have visions of playing at the Resch Center in Green Bay for the state tournament, but the reality is only half will be able to be under the spotlight next week (yikes, a bit brutal for a Friday). The turnaround time from Thursday night sectional semifinals to Saturday night sectional finals is not long at all. However for some of these teams, they could write the scouting report themselves having faced each other so much throughout the season and for some playing together in the offseason for their club teams.
Rematches Everywhere
I can remember the good ole days of playing basketball in the driveway and soon after a loss, the next words were “Rematch”. I’m sure the same can be said for some of these teams knowing that throughout the regular season there was a good chance that they would see each other sometime in the postseason.
Appleton North vs. Kimberly
These two high schools are probably 8 minutes apart and this will be their fourth time playing each other this season (Kimberly has the edge 2-1), they also played each other last year in the sectional final with Kimberly winning 3-1.
Sun Prairie vs. Waunakee
Waunakee got the best of Sun Prairie last year in the sectional final while Sun Prairie beat Waunakee at the Charger Rally in mid September. Many of these players play for Capital Volleyball Academy in the offseason.
Westosha Central vs. Burlington
Central lost to Burlington 3-1 in the regular season of Lakes Conference play 3-1 and then four days later came back and beat them 2-1 in the conference tournament.
Arrowhead vs. DSHA
DSHA defeated Arrowhead at the Brookfield Central Invite and a week later Arrowhead defeated DSHA at the Charger Rally.
Oconomowoc vs. Watertown
The West Bend Sprawl was where Watertown really made a statement by bringing home a championship, that came after defeating Oconomowoc twice that weekend.
Mukwonago vs. Waukesha West
Both teams have had somewhat of a rollercoaster season filled with huge wins and some surprising loses. Mukwonago defeated West way back on August 30 to start the conference season, but West has been on a tear the last couple weeks.
Luxemburg-Casco vs. Little Chute
Last year Luxemburg-Casco defeated Little Chute in this same match as well as others throughout the season. This has been Little Chute’s year, defeating the Spartans 3-2 in conference play and again 2-0 in the De Pere tournament.
East Troy vs. McFarland
East Troy defeated McFarland 3-1 in conference play earlier this year.
Home Court Advantage?
When sites came out last spring there were definitely “What if” scenarios that had potential to be really big as far as who was playing at those sites. Again, this isn’t meant to be an editorial, but I feel like there has to be an “If/Then” scenario. If Team X is playing and is hosting a sectional final, then Team Y will be the neutral host. Having a second option is always great. I know in Minnesota they will have section finals at neutral sites that might be college facilities or local arenas. In Iowa for the small classes they have neutral sites no matter what and for the big classes they will have the number one seed host, they’ve earned it, and plus there will be more gate money too. Here are some home court advantages held by a two seed facing a one seed.
#2 Waunakee will be hosting #1 Sun Prairie
#2 Westosha Central will be hosting #1 Burlington
#2 DSHA will be hosting #1 Arrowhead
#2 St. Marys Catholic will be hosting #1 Stratford
The only #1 seed that is hosting will be East Troy against another #1 seed McFarland.
These are rare occurrences, and maybe this year is an outlier, but of the 20 matches that are being played, four of them have the 1 seed playing at the 2 seed.
Title Photo Cred: Madison.com