Can De Pere repeat as state basketball champ in Division 1? Will Xavier get there in Division 3? Ricardo Arguello makes his predictions

The WIAA boys basketball postseason tips off Tuesday. Here's a division-by-division breakdown with predicted finalists and semifinalists to reach the Kohl Center in Madison.

De Pere looks for title repeat in Division 1

Top seeds: Marshfield (22-2), De Pere (23-1), Kettle Moraine (21-3), Marquette (20-4).

Area teams: Neenah (17-7), Kaukauna (17-7), Appleton North (16-8), Kimberly (16-8), Hortonville (14-10), Appleton East (10-14), Appleton West (1-23).

Ricardo says:De Pere is the defending WIAA D1 state champ and the favorite to repeat. The Redbirds won the Fox River Classic, but really bumped up their nonconference slate with wins over Marquette and Pewaukee. Their lone loss is to D2 top-ranked Wisconsin Lutheran. Zach Kinziger (19.4 ppg) and Will Hornseth (16.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg) are De Pere's top players. The seeding computer's obsession with the Wisconsin Valley Conference should open a few eyes. Marshfield and Stevens Point got 1 and 2 seed designations with Marshfield winning the WVC title. While both are 20-plus win teams, it needs to be pointed out that no WVC team has reached sectional play since the 2018-19 season and that was Merrill in D2. Fox Valley Association champ Oshkosh North (19-5) is a three seed and could meet Arrowhead in a sectional semifinal and De Pere in the sectional final. The Spartans' 1-2 punch of Zay Mitchell (25.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and Stevie Clark (22.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg) is as good as it gets in the state. Neenah reached the state tournament last season and has caught fire over the past month, winning 13 of its last 14 games. The sixth-seeded Rockets finished second in the Fox Valley Association to Oshkosh North. Brady Corso (21.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.2 assists) leads the team in all three major categories offensively. Kaukauna, the No. 5 seed, has a talented roster led by Keegan Van Kauwenberg (18.1 ppg, 4.4 apg) and Jon O'Neill (14.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg). Appleton North is in a bit of a funk, losing four of its last five. Its roster is underclassmen-heavy, led by sophomores Will Sweeney (13.8) and Grant Hardy (10.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and junior Abraham Tomori (13.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg). Kimberly has a solid lineup paced by Thomas Meyers (14.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and Mikey Wildes (12.3 ppg). Hortonville has a nice young combo with sophomore Ethan Joling (16.6 ppg) and junior Riley Mueller (15.7 ppg). Don't underestimate Appleton East. The 13th-seeded Patriots have one of the state's top players in senior guard Joey La Chapell (26.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.0 rpg) and has Cinderella written all over them. Kettle Moraine finished second in the Classic Eight behind Arrowhead and is the top seed and led by Will Stuckey (16.9 ppg). Arrowhead is a two seed, but a dangerous team. The Warhawks (22-2) could meet De Pere in a sectional final. UW-Green Bay commit Bennett Basich (20.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Jace Gilbert (17.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg) are their top players. Gilbert is committed to Iowa State for football. Marquette won the Greater Metro and is led by St. Thomas recruit Nolan Minessale (22.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.5 apg).

Predicted final, semifinals: De Pere over Kettle Moraine; Neenah, Marquette.

Wisconsin Lutheran, Pewaukee standouts in Division 2

Top seeds: Wausau East (17-7), West Salem (21-3), Ashwaubenon (20-4), Nicolet (20-4), Pewaukee (20-4), Stoughton (21-3), Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0), Racine Park (17-7).

Area teams: Fox Valley Lutheran (22-2), New London (15-8), Seymour (15-9), Menasha (9-15).

Ricardo says: The powerhouse is undefeated and top-ranked Wisconsin Lutheran, which is led by senior forward and Duke commit Kon Knueppel (25.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.8 apg). The Vikings' schedule is littered with impressive wins over ranked teams from several divisions including Arrowhead, Pewaukee (twice), Saint Thomas More and De Pere. Pewaukee finished second to Wisconsin Lutheran in the Woodland-West and is having another strong season. Senior guard Nick Janowski (31.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.1 apg) is a Nebraska commit. West Salem reached the D3 state final last season and is up a division. The Panthers won the Coulee and are led in scoring, rebounding and assists by Tamarrein Henderson (18.0, 5.5, 3.8). Wausau East finished third in the Wisconsin Valley and got a one seed despite having losses to Green Bay Preble and Madison Memorial, which are a combined 16-32 on the season. Jesse Napgezek (17.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Charlie Cayley (14.1, 10.1) lead the Lumberjacks. Nicolet won the North Shore and is led by 6-6 junior wing Davion Hannah, who has offers from Arizona State, Marquette, Cincinnati, LSU, Wisconsin, Michigan State and others. Racine Park finished second in the Southeast Conference behind Racine Case. Ashwaubenon was second in the FRCC behind De Pere and is led by Drew Tomashek (19.3 ppg, 5.1 apg). Fox Valley Lutheran won the North Eastern Conference and has a pair of outstanding scorers in Adam Loberger (21.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and Sam Ferge (19.0, 5.0). Is this the year the Foxes break through? They could meet West Salem in a sectional semifinal. New London finished second in the Bay to Xavier and the Bulldogs are led in scoring and rebounds by 6-5 sophomore post Joseph Daly (15.0, 6.8). Kyler Marks, also a sophomore, leads Seymour (17.3 ppg, 11.6 rpg).

Predicted final, semifinals: Wisconsin Lutheran over Pewaukee; Fox Valley Lutheran, Nicolet.

Xavier is title contender in Division 3

Top seeds: Prescott (17-6), Elk Mound (20-4), Freedom (20-4), Kiel (24-0), Platteville (21-3), Lakeside Lutheran (22-2), Dominican (21-3), St. Thomas More (23-1).

Other area teams: Xavier (22-2), Brillion (20-4), Clintonville (16-8), Waupaca (14-10), Little Chute (13-11), Wrightstown (12-12), Chilton (10-14), Winneconne (4-19).

Ricardo says: St. Thomas More finished as the AP top-ranked team in D3 and won the competitive Metro Classic. St. Thomas More is led by 6-6 senior guard Amari McCottry (23.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 5.2 apg) and 6-8 senior forward Sekou Konneh (23.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg). Both are Division I recruits. Dominican finished second in the Metro Classic. The Knights are paced by 6-6 junior swing Aaron Womack (22 ppg, 9.4 rpg) and 6-2 senior guard Jaiden Martin (18.7, 5.7 apg). Kiel got the top seed in its sectional over Xavier and won the Eastern Wisconsin, with the Hawks winning the Bay. Kiel has a top point guard in senior Pierce Arenz (20.0 ppg, 4.3 apg) and good size at forward in 6-6 senior Grant Manz (17.2 ppg, 13.0 rpg). Xavier has had another great season under coach Matt Klarner, with Tyler Brightman the team's top scorer (15.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and Hayden Quimby (12.1) and Sam Pfefferle (10.3, 6.2 apg) also capable scorers. Defending WIAA D3 champ Brillion is the third seed behind Kiel and Xavier and is led by Grady Geiger (20.7 ppg). Two of the three Lions losses are to Kiel in EWC play. Freedom is the top seed in its half of the bracket and boasts one of the state's top freshman in Donovan Davis (17.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.5 apg). Clintonville had a competitive season in the NEC and is led in scoring by Jack Yaeger (18.1). Sam Wegener (14.4 ppg, 3.5 apg) is also a top player for the Truckers. Waupaca's Riley Bechard is an underrated 6-7 senior forward who averages 19.6 points and 15.2 rebounds. Little Chute is a balanced team and is led in scoring by Tyler Fischer (12.4) and Grant Hermus (12.3). Wrightstown's Ethan Cyra (14.4 ppg) is the team's top scorer. Prescott has a top player in Dallas Wallin (20.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg). Prescott and Elk Mound, along with the two second seeds in that sectional Omro and Bloomer, have had nice seasons but their schedules might not measure up to other top teams in the D3 field. The Capitol-North has a pair of standout teams in Lakeside Lutheran and Lake Mills. Lakeside Lutheran got the top seed even though Lake Mills, the two seed, won the conference. Lake Mills' top scorer is 6-3 junior AJ Bender (22.1) while Lutheran is paced by 6-7 sophomore Wes Rahn (16.7 ppg, 12.0 rpg). Milwaukee Academy of Science is a team to watch and a second seed. It has a pair of 20-point scorers in Jamarion Batemon (21.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Devin Brown (20.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg). Both Batemon and Brown have a slew of Division I offers. The Novas could meet St. Thomas More in a sectional semifinal.

Predicted final, semifinals: St. Thomas More over Xavier; Bloomer, Lake Mills.

Marathon looks like team to beat in Division 4

Top seeds: Unity (23-1), Durand-Arkansaw (20-4), Marathon (23-1), Bonduel (23-1), Mineral Point (22-2), Pardeeville (20-4), Kohler (22-2), Milwaukee Juneau (15-4).

Area teams: St. Mary Catholic (17-7), Manawa (13-11), Shiocton (12-12), Weyauwega-Fremont (12-12).

Ricardo says: Marathon won the Marawood-South and is the top-ranked team in D4 in the latest AP poll. Its lone loss is to D2 Mosinee (61-58) on Jan. 15. Grant Warren, a 6-10 senior post, averages 22.6 points and 12.2 rebounds. Kohler shared the Big East-South title with Sheboygan Lutheran and averages 80 points a game. The Blue Bombers have a strong trio with Trey Keller (20.2 ppg), Zane Willadsen (16.5 ppg, 9.9 rpg) and Max Breitenbach (16.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg). Mineral Point shared the SWAL title with Darlington, a two seed. The teams split the regular-season series. St. Mary Catholic is a two seed and reached the D4 state semifinals a year ago. The Zephyrs have a pair of senior standouts in 6-8 post Braeden Brenn (21.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg) and 6-3 guard Fisher MacKenzie (17.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg). Central Wisconsin Conference-East champ Bonduel's lone loss came to St. Mary Catholic and the Bears' leading scorers are sophomore Ryan Westrich (15.2) and junior Race Anvelink (15.1). Durand-Arkansaw won the Dunn-St. Croix over D3 top seed Elk Mound. Senior post Nathan Gorman leads Manawa in scoring (22.8) and rebounding (13.1). Weyauawega-Fremont finished second to Bonduel in the CWC-East and is led in scoring by Brayden Arndt (17.4). Shiocton is led by 6-6 senior point guard Bennett Schmidt (12.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.2 apg). A team to look out for is Aquinas, a three seed. The Blugolds finished fourth in the Mississippi Valley, a conference made up mostly of D2 schools. Walter Berns, a 6-4 wing, leads Aquinas in scoring (16.5) and rebounds (7.0). Another team to watch is second-seeded Luther, which won the D4 title last season. Luther finished second in the Coulee to D2 top seed West Salem and is led in scoring and rebounding by 6-7 senior Logan Bahr (24.0, 10.9).

Predicted final, semifinals: Marathon over Kohler; Darlington, Aquinas.

Columbus Catholic the favorite to win Division 5

Top seeds: Solon Springs (22-2), Rib Lake (19-5), Almond-Bancroft (23-1), Reedsville (15-9), Columbus Catholic (22-2), Potosi (20-4), Abundant Life Christian (22-2), Salam (20-4).

Area team: Hilbert (8-16).

Ricardo says:Columbus Catholic won the Cloverbelt-East and was the top-ranked team in the latest AP poll. The Dons' lone loss is to Brookfield Academy. Solon Springs won the Northern Lights and boasts one of the state's highest scorers in 6-5 senior forward Isaiah Kastern (30.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg). Almond-Bancroft also has a premier player in 6-7 junior power forward Ayden Phillips (25.5 ppg, 11.4 rpg). Its lone loss is to D4 top seed Bonduel on Dec. 30. Abundant Life ended the regular season with an impressive 82-54 victory over another D5 top seed, Salam. Ahmad Badwan (31.3 ppg) leads Salam. Potosi won the Six Rivers-West and two of its losses came to D4 top seed Mineral Point and D3 top seed Platteville, with another to D4 second seed Darlington. Reedsville plays in a tough league, the Big East-North. The Panthers have a great duo in Camden Dvorachek (19.2 ppg, 12.9 rpg) and Ben Prochnow (17.4 ppg, 6.7 apg), though Dvorachek has missed time with an injury. Hilbert's top player is Kaelin VandenWyngaard (14.3 ppg). Royall was ranked fifth in the AP poll and is a second seed. It could meet Columbus Catholic in a sectional semifinal. Carter Uppena (15.5 ppg) is Royall's top scorer.

Predicted final, semifinals: Columbus Catholic over Solon Springs; Almond-Bancroft, Abundant Life Christian.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Wisconsin high school boys basketball state championship predictions