Another Leader-Telegram All-Northwest boys basketball team is in the books. I have to say, picking this year’s teams wasn’t easy. But after a lot of discussion and pondering, I like what we ended up with. If I was a coach, I certainly would like my odds with our first team on the floor.
For those interested, the process of picking the teams is basically this: After the season we send out nomination forms to area coaches. After reviewing those Ron Buckli and I sit down and make a preliminary list. We’ll slot players into teams, sleep on it, discuss them some more, talk to a few more coaches and then finalize our teams.
(What’s a sign that your job’s getting the better of you? Try waking up at 3 a.m. thinking about high school basketball and then going to the computer to review all-conference teams on the internet.)
Statistics certainly play a part in All-NW selection, but stats alone don’t decide the teams. If they did, there wouldn’t be much suspense. You could just pull out the area scoring leaders and count them off by five.
The biggest factors for us are what we’ve seen and what opposing coaches have to say. When a coach says Player X is the best defender or toughest matchup in the conference, that definitely counts for something.
A perfect example is Eau Claire Regis’ Jack Eaton. He’s not the leading scorer on his team, but he earned second-team honors because of his consistency and how many big shots he hit. The kid’s cold-blooded. Almost every coach I’ve talked to raves about his shot. And almost every time Buck or I saw him play, he hit a big shot.
The choice for player of the year was a pretty easy one after the performance Eleva-Strum’s Lance Rongstad put on at the state tournament. His combination of skill, poise and athleticism is one we might not see in this area for a few years. I agree with his coach, Rich Roginski. Rongstad could play DI ball.
Those are just a few of my thoughts on the teams. Feel free to share yours by leaving a comment. That’s the great part about sports, being able to debate. Thanks for stopping by.
- Joe Ziemer
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Flambeau wins third straight title
Look out Milwaukee Washington and Cuba City. You’ve got company.
Tiny Flambeau High School cemented its place in WIAA girls basketball lore Saturday, beating Neenah St. Mary Central, 61-36, in the Division 4 state championship game at the Alliant Energy Center. It became the third team — and the first in Division 4 — to win three straight titles.
Milwaukee Washington won three straight Division 1 titles from 1994-’96, while Cuba City won three straight from 2005-’07.
Although the WIAA didn’t sponsor a girls basketball state tournament until 1976, winning three straight championships is nothing to sneeze at. Other than Flambeau, Washington and Cuba City, only nine schools have won two straight titles. In boys basketball, which started a state tournament in 1916, only 30 teams have won consecutive titles and five have won three straight.
Randolph is the only school in boys or girls basketball to win four straight titles.
Flambeau is also just the sixth girls team to have won four state titles. It’s other championship game in 2000.
- John Casper Jr.
Tiny Flambeau High School cemented its place in WIAA girls basketball lore Saturday, beating Neenah St. Mary Central, 61-36, in the Division 4 state championship game at the Alliant Energy Center. It became the third team — and the first in Division 4 — to win three straight titles.
Milwaukee Washington won three straight Division 1 titles from 1994-’96, while Cuba City won three straight from 2005-’07.
Although the WIAA didn’t sponsor a girls basketball state tournament until 1976, winning three straight championships is nothing to sneeze at. Other than Flambeau, Washington and Cuba City, only nine schools have won two straight titles. In boys basketball, which started a state tournament in 1916, only 30 teams have won consecutive titles and five have won three straight.
Randolph is the only school in boys or girls basketball to win four straight titles.
Flambeau is also just the sixth girls team to have won four state titles. It’s other championship game in 2000.
- John Casper Jr.
Flambeau up at the half
Flambeau coach Ted Alberson said Friday that his team won because of desire.
That’s pretty much the same for today. Flambeau certainly isn’t lighting it up from the field, but offensive rebounding and a few defense-into-offense baskets have the Falcons ahead, 25-17 at the half.
Flambeau’s Susan Bischoff leads the Falcons with eight points. Lindsey Brost, who had a big game Friday, has seven points and four rebounds. Freshman Shelby Sterba continued her coming out party with six points.
Reegan Cheslock has 10 points to lead St. Mary Central. No other player has more than two.
Flambeau is shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and has 10 offensive rebounds and nine second-chance points. It also has scored 20 of its 25 points in the paint. St. Mary is shooting 26.1 percent from the floor.
The first quarter was a bit rocky by Flambeau standards.
The Falcons turned over the ball eight times and made just one of six free throws. St. Mary didn’t seemed phased at all by Flambeau’s press and even started to establish its own. The Zephyrs led, 11-9, at the end of the first quarter.
Flambeau opened the second quarter by going on a 8-0 run and has kept its lead above five points ever since.
- John Casper Jr.
That’s pretty much the same for today. Flambeau certainly isn’t lighting it up from the field, but offensive rebounding and a few defense-into-offense baskets have the Falcons ahead, 25-17 at the half.
Flambeau’s Susan Bischoff leads the Falcons with eight points. Lindsey Brost, who had a big game Friday, has seven points and four rebounds. Freshman Shelby Sterba continued her coming out party with six points.
Reegan Cheslock has 10 points to lead St. Mary Central. No other player has more than two.
Flambeau is shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and has 10 offensive rebounds and nine second-chance points. It also has scored 20 of its 25 points in the paint. St. Mary is shooting 26.1 percent from the floor.
The first quarter was a bit rocky by Flambeau standards.
The Falcons turned over the ball eight times and made just one of six free throws. St. Mary didn’t seemed phased at all by Flambeau’s press and even started to establish its own. The Zephyrs led, 11-9, at the end of the first quarter.
Flambeau opened the second quarter by going on a 8-0 run and has kept its lead above five points ever since.
- John Casper Jr.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Altoona trails, 30-16, at halftime
Whether it is state tournament jitters, an off shooting night or problems with Monroe’s zone defense, things aren’t going too well for Altoona in its Division 2 state semifinal against Monroe at the Alliant Energy Center.
The Railroaders are shooting 31.8 percent from the floor while Monroe is connecting at a 52.6-percent clip. The result is a 30-16 lead for the Cheesemakers, who won the state title in 2006 but have an almost entirely new roster from that championship team.
Brittany Gregorich leads Altoona with eight points while Tiffany Gregorich has five.
Altoona missed its first nine shots and fell behind 12-1 before Tiffany Gregorich’s 3-pointer with 49 seconds left in the first quarter. She added a driving layup just before the buzzer to make the score 12-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Rails cut it to two points on two occasions, but were stuck on 14 points for almost 3 minutes. Meanwhile, Monroe took advantage of a depleted Altoona frontline. Six-foot sophomores Ashley Hermanson and Jamie Armstrong scored 13 of Monroe’s 18 points in the second quarter.
Foul trouble became an issue in the second quarter. Four players — Brittany Gregorich, Aimee Reyzer, Rachel Larson and Monica Rasmussen — had two fouls midway through the second. That’s partly why Hermanson and Armstrong have taken over.
They have a combined 18 points and 10 rebounds at the half.
On another note, I don’t see the Monroe mouse. I’m devastated.
- John Casper Jr.
The Railroaders are shooting 31.8 percent from the floor while Monroe is connecting at a 52.6-percent clip. The result is a 30-16 lead for the Cheesemakers, who won the state title in 2006 but have an almost entirely new roster from that championship team.
Brittany Gregorich leads Altoona with eight points while Tiffany Gregorich has five.
Altoona missed its first nine shots and fell behind 12-1 before Tiffany Gregorich’s 3-pointer with 49 seconds left in the first quarter. She added a driving layup just before the buzzer to make the score 12-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Rails cut it to two points on two occasions, but were stuck on 14 points for almost 3 minutes. Meanwhile, Monroe took advantage of a depleted Altoona frontline. Six-foot sophomores Ashley Hermanson and Jamie Armstrong scored 13 of Monroe’s 18 points in the second quarter.
Foul trouble became an issue in the second quarter. Four players — Brittany Gregorich, Aimee Reyzer, Rachel Larson and Monica Rasmussen — had two fouls midway through the second. That’s partly why Hermanson and Armstrong have taken over.
They have a combined 18 points and 10 rebounds at the half.
On another note, I don’t see the Monroe mouse. I’m devastated.
- John Casper Jr.
Flambeau beats Eleva-Strum, 57-40
Kyle Kaufman said it was offensive rebounding and a lack of offensive execution. The stat sheet suggested it was Flambeau’s fullcourt press.
Whatever the reason, the Eleva-Strum girls basketball team just didn’t have enough firepower to hang with the Falcons in this morning’s WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at the Alliant Energy Center.
The two-time defending state champion Falcons scored 36 points off 29 Eleva-Strum turnovers and pulled away in the second half for a 57-40 victory. Flambeau (25-1) plays Neenah St. Mary Central at 12:05 p.m. Saturday for its third straight state championship. It can become the third team in WIAA history — and the first in Division 4 — to win three straight championships.
To its credit, Eleva-Strum (20-6) didn’t go into a shell after Flambeau built a double-figure first-half lead. The Cardinals took a one-point lead late in the first half and trailed by one at halftime.
But the Falcons made some adjustments to their fullcourt pressure defense and the Cardinals hit a wall offensively. Flambeau outscored Eleva-Strum, 15-4, in the third quarter to seal its date in Saturday's championship game.
Lindsey Brost scored 16 points to lead Flambeau while Beth Alberson, who was celebrating her 18th birthday, was one of three players with 11 points. Brynn Salava scored 13 to lead the Cardinals.
Aside from committing 29 turnovers, Eleva-Strum surrendered 18 offensive rebounds. Flambeau finished with 22 second-chance points compared to just five for the Cardinals.
- John Casper Jr.
Whatever the reason, the Eleva-Strum girls basketball team just didn’t have enough firepower to hang with the Falcons in this morning’s WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at the Alliant Energy Center.
The two-time defending state champion Falcons scored 36 points off 29 Eleva-Strum turnovers and pulled away in the second half for a 57-40 victory. Flambeau (25-1) plays Neenah St. Mary Central at 12:05 p.m. Saturday for its third straight state championship. It can become the third team in WIAA history — and the first in Division 4 — to win three straight championships.
To its credit, Eleva-Strum (20-6) didn’t go into a shell after Flambeau built a double-figure first-half lead. The Cardinals took a one-point lead late in the first half and trailed by one at halftime.
But the Falcons made some adjustments to their fullcourt pressure defense and the Cardinals hit a wall offensively. Flambeau outscored Eleva-Strum, 15-4, in the third quarter to seal its date in Saturday's championship game.
Lindsey Brost scored 16 points to lead Flambeau while Beth Alberson, who was celebrating her 18th birthday, was one of three players with 11 points. Brynn Salava scored 13 to lead the Cardinals.
Aside from committing 29 turnovers, Eleva-Strum surrendered 18 offensive rebounds. Flambeau finished with 22 second-chance points compared to just five for the Cardinals.
- John Casper Jr.
Flambeau up by 1 at the half
We’ve got a good one on our hands.
After getting over the initial shock of Flambeau’s fullcourt press, Eleva-Strum has fought and clawed its way back into this morning’s WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at the Alliant Energy Center.
Flambeau leads, 28-27, at halftime. Eleva-Strum’s Brynn Salava leads all scorers with seven points while Megan Schultz has six. Flambeau’s Lindsey Brost has six points, while Whitney Verdegan and Shelby Sterba each have five.
The Cardinals led for a moment after two free throws by Brynn Salava made it 27-26 with 1:13 left in the half. Flambeau answered with a bucket by Sterba, a freshman, and Eleva-Strum missed four shots on its last possession of the half.
Eleva-Strum got back into the game by getting to the free-throw line. The Cardinals are 11 of 12 on free throws and four Flambeau players — Susan Bischoff, Brost, Beth Alberson and Sam Zimmer each have two fouls.
The beginning couldn’t have been much worse for Eleva-Strum. Flambeau led, 6-0, the first time the Cardinals got the ball past halfcourt. It was 10-2 shortly thereafter.
But Eleva-Strum eventually calmed down and found the holes it needed to in the Falcons’ aggressive fullcourt pressure. It went on a 7-2 run and had Flambeau on its heels for a bit.
The Falcons answered by scoring five points in a 13-second span to bump the lead back to eight, but the Cardinals slowly crept back.
Other observations:
*Members of the Eleva-Strum boys basketball team are front-and-center in the student section, leading those cheers. The Flambeau student section has “The Red Man Group,” three guys that are like the Blue Man Group, only, you know, red.
*I stated my affinity for mascots in an earlier blog post. Eleva-Strum has a pretty good lookin’ Cardinal. I’m still giddy over the thought of Monroe’s mouse, however.
- John Casper Jr.
After getting over the initial shock of Flambeau’s fullcourt press, Eleva-Strum has fought and clawed its way back into this morning’s WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at the Alliant Energy Center.
Flambeau leads, 28-27, at halftime. Eleva-Strum’s Brynn Salava leads all scorers with seven points while Megan Schultz has six. Flambeau’s Lindsey Brost has six points, while Whitney Verdegan and Shelby Sterba each have five.
The Cardinals led for a moment after two free throws by Brynn Salava made it 27-26 with 1:13 left in the half. Flambeau answered with a bucket by Sterba, a freshman, and Eleva-Strum missed four shots on its last possession of the half.
Eleva-Strum got back into the game by getting to the free-throw line. The Cardinals are 11 of 12 on free throws and four Flambeau players — Susan Bischoff, Brost, Beth Alberson and Sam Zimmer each have two fouls.
The beginning couldn’t have been much worse for Eleva-Strum. Flambeau led, 6-0, the first time the Cardinals got the ball past halfcourt. It was 10-2 shortly thereafter.
But Eleva-Strum eventually calmed down and found the holes it needed to in the Falcons’ aggressive fullcourt pressure. It went on a 7-2 run and had Flambeau on its heels for a bit.
The Falcons answered by scoring five points in a 13-second span to bump the lead back to eight, but the Cardinals slowly crept back.
Other observations:
*Members of the Eleva-Strum boys basketball team are front-and-center in the student section, leading those cheers. The Flambeau student section has “The Red Man Group,” three guys that are like the Blue Man Group, only, you know, red.
*I stated my affinity for mascots in an earlier blog post. Eleva-Strum has a pretty good lookin’ Cardinal. I’m still giddy over the thought of Monroe’s mouse, however.
- John Casper Jr.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Closing out Colfax
The Colfax girls basketball team gave Markesan a good run Thursday morning, but fell a bit short. As coach Joe Doucette said in the postgame press conference (and in my game story), the Vikings seemed to be one or two baskets away from grabbing control of the game in the third quarter.
Had Colfax built a two- or three-possession lead, it would have been content to go into what Doucette called "the weave," which is an offensive set designed to make the other team chase you around the floor. It could lead to an easy basket, but at the very least, it takes big chunks of time off the scoreboard.
But the Vikings could never get that run going.
Markesan did a pretty good job of following around Courtney Doucette wherever she went. Kelsi Knutson made a couple of big shots and took the ball to the hoop and the Vikings had others step up in spots but never developed a third scoring threat.
Defensively, the Vikings did a great job on Markesan's Jadee Rooney. The UW-Parkside recruit was held to just six points on 2-of-11 shooting. Marieanna Dulas, the other half of the Hornets' talented backcourt duo, was the benefit of some of that additional help on Rooney, and she finished with 15.
But I thought it was Markesan's inside game that did the most damage. Caitlyn Krenz and Jecel Gerner combined for 15 points and 15 rebounds. Gerner didn't miss a shot, and Krenz hit a backbreaking 18 footer that gave Markesan some momentum in the second half.
This is far from Colfax's swan song. While it loses Knutson and Abby Johnson to graduation, the team does return Courtney Doucette, Adrien Sarauer, Kasey Laramy, and Jenni Gust, a freshman who didn't shy away from getting involved Thursday.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Colfax back here again next year.
- John Casper Jr.
Had Colfax built a two- or three-possession lead, it would have been content to go into what Doucette called "the weave," which is an offensive set designed to make the other team chase you around the floor. It could lead to an easy basket, but at the very least, it takes big chunks of time off the scoreboard.
But the Vikings could never get that run going.
Markesan did a pretty good job of following around Courtney Doucette wherever she went. Kelsi Knutson made a couple of big shots and took the ball to the hoop and the Vikings had others step up in spots but never developed a third scoring threat.
Defensively, the Vikings did a great job on Markesan's Jadee Rooney. The UW-Parkside recruit was held to just six points on 2-of-11 shooting. Marieanna Dulas, the other half of the Hornets' talented backcourt duo, was the benefit of some of that additional help on Rooney, and she finished with 15.
But I thought it was Markesan's inside game that did the most damage. Caitlyn Krenz and Jecel Gerner combined for 15 points and 15 rebounds. Gerner didn't miss a shot, and Krenz hit a backbreaking 18 footer that gave Markesan some momentum in the second half.
This is far from Colfax's swan song. While it loses Knutson and Abby Johnson to graduation, the team does return Courtney Doucette, Adrien Sarauer, Kasey Laramy, and Jenni Gust, a freshman who didn't shy away from getting involved Thursday.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Colfax back here again next year.
- John Casper Jr.
Colfax falls, 41-35
They rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit and kept one of the state’s best players to her lowest point total of the season.
But the Colfax Vikings just didn’t have enough this morning at the Alliant Energy Center.
Markesan’s Mareianna Dulas scored 15 points and the inside duo of Caitlyn Krenz and Jecel Gerner gave Colfax fits, as the Vikings’ season came to an end with a 41-35 loss to the Hornets in a WIAA Division 3 state semifinal.
Markesan (24-2) advanced to play Oostburg in the state championship game at 6:35 p.m. Saturday. Colfax ended its season at 21-4.
- John Casper Jr.
But the Colfax Vikings just didn’t have enough this morning at the Alliant Energy Center.
Markesan’s Mareianna Dulas scored 15 points and the inside duo of Caitlyn Krenz and Jecel Gerner gave Colfax fits, as the Vikings’ season came to an end with a 41-35 loss to the Hornets in a WIAA Division 3 state semifinal.
Markesan (24-2) advanced to play Oostburg in the state championship game at 6:35 p.m. Saturday. Colfax ended its season at 21-4.
- John Casper Jr.
Colfax trails at halftime
It’s not the guard tandem of Jadee Rooney and Marieanna Dulas that gave Colfax the most trouble in the first half, rather it’s been Markesan’s inside play that has helped the Hornets take a 19-11 halftime lead.
Caitlyn Krenz and Jecel Gerner combined for eight points and nine rebounds in the first half, keeping the Hornets afloat while Dulas was on the bench with foul trouble and Rooney struggled to find her shot.
Once Dulas got back on the floor, she started to take over. She leads all scorers at halftime with eight points. Rooney, on the other hand, is 0-for-6 from the floor. That duo came into the game averaging a combined 33 points.
Colfax can’t seem to find the net. The Vikings are 4-for-22 and 0-for-7 on 3-pointers. Kelsi Knutson has four points and four rebounds. Courtney Doucette has three points and five rebounds. Other than that, it’s some slim pickings.
That’s also where Markesan’s inside combo of Krenz and Gerner are doing some damage. Kasey Laramy, who scored 16 points in the sectional final victory over Osseo-Fairchild and has emerged as a real inside threat for the Vikings, has just two points on 1 of 7 shooting.
Other random thoughts:
*A little disappointed that Markesan didn’t bring its giant bee mascot. I think a mascot should be mandated from all teams participating at state. Even if you don’t have one, borrow one from another school. As for Colfax, the Viking is rocking it in the front row. The best mascot at the state tourney should be here tomorrow; the Monroe mouse is where it’s at.
*The Alliant Energy Center is an OK place for the girls state tournament, but could they at least get a better floor? This thing is putrid and just a big advertisement for Alliant Energy. Couldn’t they truck over the floor from the Kohl Center or the Fieldhouse?
*When one student section starts chanting “We can’t hear you?” why does the other never respond with “Get a hearing aid?” These are the things that keep me up at night.
- John Casper Jr.
Caitlyn Krenz and Jecel Gerner combined for eight points and nine rebounds in the first half, keeping the Hornets afloat while Dulas was on the bench with foul trouble and Rooney struggled to find her shot.
Once Dulas got back on the floor, she started to take over. She leads all scorers at halftime with eight points. Rooney, on the other hand, is 0-for-6 from the floor. That duo came into the game averaging a combined 33 points.
Colfax can’t seem to find the net. The Vikings are 4-for-22 and 0-for-7 on 3-pointers. Kelsi Knutson has four points and four rebounds. Courtney Doucette has three points and five rebounds. Other than that, it’s some slim pickings.
That’s also where Markesan’s inside combo of Krenz and Gerner are doing some damage. Kasey Laramy, who scored 16 points in the sectional final victory over Osseo-Fairchild and has emerged as a real inside threat for the Vikings, has just two points on 1 of 7 shooting.
Other random thoughts:
*A little disappointed that Markesan didn’t bring its giant bee mascot. I think a mascot should be mandated from all teams participating at state. Even if you don’t have one, borrow one from another school. As for Colfax, the Viking is rocking it in the front row. The best mascot at the state tourney should be here tomorrow; the Monroe mouse is where it’s at.
*The Alliant Energy Center is an OK place for the girls state tournament, but could they at least get a better floor? This thing is putrid and just a big advertisement for Alliant Energy. Couldn’t they truck over the floor from the Kohl Center or the Fieldhouse?
*When one student section starts chanting “We can’t hear you?” why does the other never respond with “Get a hearing aid?” These are the things that keep me up at night.
- John Casper Jr.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Shootaround notes: Northwest Wisconsin takes over the Alliant
The four teams from northwestern Wisconsin at this weekend’s WIAA girls basketball tournament had the last four slots during Wednesday’s shootaround at the Alliant Energy Center.
Every team gets 25 minutes on the floor to explore the dead spots and get used to the rims. Most just go through pregame drills, others held a brief scrimmage and some, like Eleva-Strum, tried shooting halfcourt shots.
“It was really fun,” Eleva-Strum junior Brynn Salava said. “The last two minutes were kind of a joke, but it was fun.”
For the record, one Cardinals player made a shot. The others, including coach Kyle Kaufman, came up a bit short.
“I came pretty close,” Salava said.
Altoona junior Brittany Gregorich said the floor and the rims weren’t as bad as she was expecting. That’s the most important part of a shootaround, considering there aren’t too many teams that will run an actual practice or go through any offensive sets.
“It’s more just to get the feel for it so when we come out here it’s not like ‘Oh my gosh, this is so different,’” she said. “It’s more to just get the feeling, get out there and relax a little bit, feel how it is and get used to it.”
It’s a thrill, even if you’ve gone through it before. Flambeau’s Beth Alberson is playing in her third state tournament, the novelty hasn’t worn off.
“No, it’s a blast,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun. It can never get old.”
Other happenings:
*Three of the teams — Altoona, Colfax and Flambeau — played in a summer league on Wednesday nights at Altoona. To show solidarity, Chuck Gregorich, father of Altoona’s Brittany and Tiffany, said there were shirts that say “Go Big Red” on the front with the names of the three teams on the back. Those three schools, including Eleva-Strum, have red among their school colors.
*Gregorich also told me about T&C Wings, a brand he and Tom Reyzer perfected over the years. I had to find out more about these wings. Apparently, they are pretty good.
“Not only are Tommy and Chuck the best wing makers, they are also the best braggers of their wings,” Flambeau coach Ted Alberson said. “They do a better job of advertising their wings better than Buffalo Wild Wings does.”
Every team gets 25 minutes on the floor to explore the dead spots and get used to the rims. Most just go through pregame drills, others held a brief scrimmage and some, like Eleva-Strum, tried shooting halfcourt shots.
“It was really fun,” Eleva-Strum junior Brynn Salava said. “The last two minutes were kind of a joke, but it was fun.”
For the record, one Cardinals player made a shot. The others, including coach Kyle Kaufman, came up a bit short.
“I came pretty close,” Salava said.
Altoona junior Brittany Gregorich said the floor and the rims weren’t as bad as she was expecting. That’s the most important part of a shootaround, considering there aren’t too many teams that will run an actual practice or go through any offensive sets.
“It’s more just to get the feel for it so when we come out here it’s not like ‘Oh my gosh, this is so different,’” she said. “It’s more to just get the feeling, get out there and relax a little bit, feel how it is and get used to it.”
It’s a thrill, even if you’ve gone through it before. Flambeau’s Beth Alberson is playing in her third state tournament, the novelty hasn’t worn off.
“No, it’s a blast,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun. It can never get old.”
Other happenings:
*Three of the teams — Altoona, Colfax and Flambeau — played in a summer league on Wednesday nights at Altoona. To show solidarity, Chuck Gregorich, father of Altoona’s Brittany and Tiffany, said there were shirts that say “Go Big Red” on the front with the names of the three teams on the back. Those three schools, including Eleva-Strum, have red among their school colors.
*Gregorich also told me about T&C Wings, a brand he and Tom Reyzer perfected over the years. I had to find out more about these wings. Apparently, they are pretty good.
“Not only are Tommy and Chuck the best wing makers, they are also the best braggers of their wings,” Flambeau coach Ted Alberson said. “They do a better job of advertising their wings better than Buffalo Wild Wings does.”
Colfax notes: Laramy key for the Vikings
Courtney Doucette may lead the Colfax girls basketball team in scoring, but perhaps an even more important cog in the Vikings’ offensive gameplan is 6-foot junior center Kasey Laramy.
A stress fracture in her foot limited her production early in the season, but Laramy has come on strong lately. She had 16 points in the sectional final victory over Osseo-Fairchild and did what she could to slow the Chieftains’ potent inside combo of Hailey Hart and Katey Wrobel.
Overall, her numbers are rather modest. She’s averaging 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, although that includes the beginning of the season when she was limited with the foot injury.
“She started playing about four games into the season and it took seven or eight games to get her confidence,” Colfax coach Joe Doucette said. “It’s really added a new dimension to us. She’s our best rebounder and has improved so much defensively.
“What it’s done for us is that it’s kept us from being just a jump-shooting team.”
They are family
Courtney Doucette and Sam Doucette may be sisters in real life, but Colfax — like other teams — likes to think it is a family.
“We are family,” Courtney Doucette said. “We are all friends. We don’t care who is a senior, who ‘s a junior. We have great chemistry.”
Even the graduated Colfax players still feel part of the team. Laramy’s older sister, Kristen, was at the game Saturday and was just as excited as the current players.
“She was crying more than I was,” Kasey Laramy said. “She was really happy. She misses the team. She really wishes it could be her, but she was really happy for us.”
A little surprise
A few eyebrows were raised around the state when Markesan beat Cuba City to advance to the state tournament. The Cubans were the three-time defending state champions and ranked among the state’s top teams for the entire season.
But Markesan is not a pushover by any means.
The Hornets (23-2) have a Division II recruit in Jadee Rooney (UW-Parkside) and another potential college recruit in Marieanna Dulas. The two average a combined 33 points per game for Markesan, which uses a four-guard lineup.
“I was surprised,” Joe Doucette said. “I know Markesan is a very good team. I know Cuba City is probably the best Division 3 team in the history of Wisconsin girls high school basketball. They got a little banged up at the end of the year and that may have hurt them. But I was a little surprised and I think a lot of the people around the state were surprised.”
Markesan and Colfax play at 10:45 a.m. Thursday. Check back her for live updates during and after the game.
- John Casper Jr.
A stress fracture in her foot limited her production early in the season, but Laramy has come on strong lately. She had 16 points in the sectional final victory over Osseo-Fairchild and did what she could to slow the Chieftains’ potent inside combo of Hailey Hart and Katey Wrobel.
Overall, her numbers are rather modest. She’s averaging 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, although that includes the beginning of the season when she was limited with the foot injury.
“She started playing about four games into the season and it took seven or eight games to get her confidence,” Colfax coach Joe Doucette said. “It’s really added a new dimension to us. She’s our best rebounder and has improved so much defensively.
“What it’s done for us is that it’s kept us from being just a jump-shooting team.”
They are family
Courtney Doucette and Sam Doucette may be sisters in real life, but Colfax — like other teams — likes to think it is a family.
“We are family,” Courtney Doucette said. “We are all friends. We don’t care who is a senior, who ‘s a junior. We have great chemistry.”
Even the graduated Colfax players still feel part of the team. Laramy’s older sister, Kristen, was at the game Saturday and was just as excited as the current players.
“She was crying more than I was,” Kasey Laramy said. “She was really happy. She misses the team. She really wishes it could be her, but she was really happy for us.”
A little surprise
A few eyebrows were raised around the state when Markesan beat Cuba City to advance to the state tournament. The Cubans were the three-time defending state champions and ranked among the state’s top teams for the entire season.
But Markesan is not a pushover by any means.
The Hornets (23-2) have a Division II recruit in Jadee Rooney (UW-Parkside) and another potential college recruit in Marieanna Dulas. The two average a combined 33 points per game for Markesan, which uses a four-guard lineup.
“I was surprised,” Joe Doucette said. “I know Markesan is a very good team. I know Cuba City is probably the best Division 3 team in the history of Wisconsin girls high school basketball. They got a little banged up at the end of the year and that may have hurt them. But I was a little surprised and I think a lot of the people around the state were surprised.”
Markesan and Colfax play at 10:45 a.m. Thursday. Check back her for live updates during and after the game.
- John Casper Jr.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Cards up after three
After trailing by three at halftim, Eleva-Strum has rallied to take a 41-34 over Suring after three quarters of the WIAA Division 4 championship game.
Nick Zander has 14 points to lead the Cardinals, while Lance Rongstad has 10.
- Joe Ziemer
Nick Zander has 14 points to lead the Cardinals, while Lance Rongstad has 10.
- Joe Ziemer
Friday, March 7, 2008
Bench comes up big for Cardinals
A big reason why Eleva-Strum is headed to the WIAA Division 4 state title game is the play of the bench.
Reserves Nick Rogness, Cole Schreiner and Mitch Klopp all contributed in Friday's semifinal win over Randolph.
Rogness scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and had two assists in 18 minutes. Schreiner, who might be the team's most improved player, had six points, three rebounds and two blocks in 13 minutes. Klopp didn't score but gave the Cards 12 solid minutes off the bench. He brought the ball up court and took his turn guarding Tyler Tillema, which eased the burden on Jordan Petersen.
“Lance and I were talking about that walking in here, how great our bench played," Eleva-Strum coach Rich Roginski said at Friday's postgame news conference. "Cole was sensational. Mitch gave us great minutes and just did a great job. Nick Rogness, that 3, that was a big 3. That was really a momentum basket.”
Rogness made several key plays, including the 3-pointer with 1 minute, 30 seconds left in the second quarter. That put E-S up by 14. He entered the game early on and gave the Cards a lot of energy upon entering the game.
“Nick Rogness, I’ll tell you, he is a silent killer," Roginski said. "He doesn’t put up great stats but he’s always going to hurt you in some manner – with a deflection, a defensive play, a hustle play. Today I was happy to see him score. That was a great thing for him. He’s worked really hard on his shooting.”
- Joe Ziemer
Reserves Nick Rogness, Cole Schreiner and Mitch Klopp all contributed in Friday's semifinal win over Randolph.
Rogness scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and had two assists in 18 minutes. Schreiner, who might be the team's most improved player, had six points, three rebounds and two blocks in 13 minutes. Klopp didn't score but gave the Cards 12 solid minutes off the bench. He brought the ball up court and took his turn guarding Tyler Tillema, which eased the burden on Jordan Petersen.
“Lance and I were talking about that walking in here, how great our bench played," Eleva-Strum coach Rich Roginski said at Friday's postgame news conference. "Cole was sensational. Mitch gave us great minutes and just did a great job. Nick Rogness, that 3, that was a big 3. That was really a momentum basket.”
Rogness made several key plays, including the 3-pointer with 1 minute, 30 seconds left in the second quarter. That put E-S up by 14. He entered the game early on and gave the Cards a lot of energy upon entering the game.
“Nick Rogness, I’ll tell you, he is a silent killer," Roginski said. "He doesn’t put up great stats but he’s always going to hurt you in some manner – with a deflection, a defensive play, a hustle play. Today I was happy to see him score. That was a great thing for him. He’s worked really hard on his shooting.”
- Joe Ziemer
Cardinals win
Eleva-Strum advanced to the WIAA Division 4 state title game Friday with a 61-45 victory over Randolph.
Lance Rongstad scored 26 points to lead the Cardinals, who will play Suring at 12:05 p.m. Saturday in the title game.
For more, visit www.leadertelegram.com. I should have more details shortly.
- Joe Ziemer
Lance Rongstad scored 26 points to lead the Cardinals, who will play Suring at 12:05 p.m. Saturday in the title game.
For more, visit www.leadertelegram.com. I should have more details shortly.
- Joe Ziemer
Eleva-Strum leads at halftime
Talk about playing some defense.
Eleva-Strum leads Randolph, 30-16, at halftime. The Cardinals forced 10 Rockets turnovers in the first half and scored 11 points off turnovers. Randolph shot 26.3 percent, while E-S shot 45.8 percent.
Lance Rongstad has 10 points to lead the Cards, including an impressive follow-up dunk.
Nick Rogness has six points, keying an E-S bench that's outscored the Randolph reserves 10-2.
Remember, the Cards had an early lead on Randolph last season too. I'm sure that was brought up in the locker room at halftime.
Stay tuned.
- Joe Ziemer
Eleva-Strum leads Randolph, 30-16, at halftime. The Cardinals forced 10 Rockets turnovers in the first half and scored 11 points off turnovers. Randolph shot 26.3 percent, while E-S shot 45.8 percent.
Lance Rongstad has 10 points to lead the Cards, including an impressive follow-up dunk.
Nick Rogness has six points, keying an E-S bench that's outscored the Randolph reserves 10-2.
Remember, the Cards had an early lead on Randolph last season too. I'm sure that was brought up in the locker room at halftime.
Stay tuned.
- Joe Ziemer
Suring into the finals
Suring advanced to the WIAA Division 4 state championship game with a 57-45 win over Luck in Friday morning's first semifinal.
Josh Regal, the pint-sized Suring guard who never fails to impress, scored 25 points and had eight assists.
Brennan Olson scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Luck, while Tyler Petersen had 11 points and nine rebounds.
The Eagles (26-0) will get the winner of Eleva-Strum and Randolph, who will be tipping off in approximately 20 minutes.
Check back for more on that game. There's a good crowd on hand for what should be a fantastic game.
- Joe Ziemer
Josh Regal, the pint-sized Suring guard who never fails to impress, scored 25 points and had eight assists.
Brennan Olson scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Luck, while Tyler Petersen had 11 points and nine rebounds.
The Eagles (26-0) will get the winner of Eleva-Strum and Randolph, who will be tipping off in approximately 20 minutes.
Check back for more on that game. There's a good crowd on hand for what should be a fantastic game.
- Joe Ziemer
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Huskies fall at state
Eau Claire North gave Tosa East all it could handle in Thursday's WIAA Division 1 quarterfinal. The Huskies just didn't have quite enough, though, falling 50-38.
Sorry for the lack of halftime update. With deadline creeping up on me, I got a head start on my article.
North did almost everything it needed to do to win -- other than get a couple more shots to fall. Were it not for a slightly slow start from the field from Evan Anderson and Tyler Brown, who knows what happens.
Either way, the Huskies represented the area quite well in the Division 1 field. I think they surprised a few folks by hanging with the Red Raiders.
“I don’t think we get enough credit up in our part of Wisconsin,” Brown said. “But I think we came out and played a pretty tough game. Towards the end of the game, they kind of made a run. That’s why they were able to win by a large margin. But I was happy with the way we played and how we played with them.”
And the quote of the night comes -- not surprisingly -- from Huskies coach Pat Hammond:
“We’ve gotten nothing but better throughout the year. Sometimes we don’t get a lot of credit up north. … Our kids are pretty good players. They’re no cakewalks. Maybe we caught them by surprise, I don’t know. You get north of Madison sometimes and they figure we just have snowmobiles up there. My kids are good kids. I always tell them I’d go to war with them anytime. Our goal is to play 32 minutes and leave it on the floor. We’re not bad. We’re pretty good.”
North loses six seniors to graduation, including both starting guards in Paul Hahn and Brian Hundt. Also gone will be top reserves James Moist and Mark Joswiak.
The Huskies' imposing frontcourt of Anderson, Brown and Andy Kleist returns, so if some guards emerge to complement the big guys, look out. North should be the team to beat once again in the Big Rivers Conference.
- Joe Ziemer
Sorry for the lack of halftime update. With deadline creeping up on me, I got a head start on my article.
North did almost everything it needed to do to win -- other than get a couple more shots to fall. Were it not for a slightly slow start from the field from Evan Anderson and Tyler Brown, who knows what happens.
Either way, the Huskies represented the area quite well in the Division 1 field. I think they surprised a few folks by hanging with the Red Raiders.
“I don’t think we get enough credit up in our part of Wisconsin,” Brown said. “But I think we came out and played a pretty tough game. Towards the end of the game, they kind of made a run. That’s why they were able to win by a large margin. But I was happy with the way we played and how we played with them.”
And the quote of the night comes -- not surprisingly -- from Huskies coach Pat Hammond:
“We’ve gotten nothing but better throughout the year. Sometimes we don’t get a lot of credit up north. … Our kids are pretty good players. They’re no cakewalks. Maybe we caught them by surprise, I don’t know. You get north of Madison sometimes and they figure we just have snowmobiles up there. My kids are good kids. I always tell them I’d go to war with them anytime. Our goal is to play 32 minutes and leave it on the floor. We’re not bad. We’re pretty good.”
North loses six seniors to graduation, including both starting guards in Paul Hahn and Brian Hundt. Also gone will be top reserves James Moist and Mark Joswiak.
The Huskies' imposing frontcourt of Anderson, Brown and Andy Kleist returns, so if some guards emerge to complement the big guys, look out. North should be the team to beat once again in the Big Rivers Conference.
- Joe Ziemer
Brookfield Central wins
Whoever wins the Eau Claire North-Wauwatosa East Division 1 quarterfinal will take on Brookfield Central at approximately 8:15 Friday night.
The Lancers advanced to the semifinals with a 63-55 win over Bay Port, which is coached by Eau Claire Regis graduate Nate Rykal.
It looks like we'll be tipping off around 8:40 or 8:45 p.m. (This will make my deadline exciting).
And by the way, Evan Anderson is in fact shooting in warmups. I suspect he's ready to go.
I'll check back in at halftime.
- Joe Ziemer
The Lancers advanced to the semifinals with a 63-55 win over Bay Port, which is coached by Eau Claire Regis graduate Nate Rykal.
It looks like we'll be tipping off around 8:40 or 8:45 p.m. (This will make my deadline exciting).
And by the way, Evan Anderson is in fact shooting in warmups. I suspect he's ready to go.
I'll check back in at halftime.
- Joe Ziemer
Division 1 update
Well one Division 1 quarterfinal is in the books. Former Ladysmith coach Forrest Larson and his Lake Geneva Badger team put up a heck of a fight but fell to a very good Madison Memorial team, 79-63.
Eau Claire North won't play until about 8:15 p.m. Keep an eye on 6-foot-11 sophomore Evan Anderson, who injured his shoulder diving for a loose ball in the sectional final Saturday in Marshfield.
Anderson did not fully participate in yesterday's shootaround, but coach Pat Hammond told me he'll play. Anderson came back into the game Saturday after the injury.
Obviously, Anderson's shot-blocking, rebounding and interior offense is crucial to the Huskies' chances against Wauwatosa East.
- Joe Ziemer
Eau Claire North won't play until about 8:15 p.m. Keep an eye on 6-foot-11 sophomore Evan Anderson, who injured his shoulder diving for a loose ball in the sectional final Saturday in Marshfield.
Anderson did not fully participate in yesterday's shootaround, but coach Pat Hammond told me he'll play. Anderson came back into the game Saturday after the injury.
Obviously, Anderson's shot-blocking, rebounding and interior offense is crucial to the Huskies' chances against Wauwatosa East.
- Joe Ziemer
What's next for the Ramblers
The silver lining for Eau Claire Regis is that five of the eight players who saw action in Thursday's WIAA Division 3 state semifinal loss will be back next season.
The Ramblers' top two scorers -- guards Adam Ganske and Jack Eaton -- both are sophomores and should form the core of next season's team. Ganske and Eaton combined for 32 of the Ramblers' 50 points Thursday.
“It’s definitely always your goal to get down to state," Ganske said. "We’re going to be trying that the next couple years. We have a young team so hopefully, we can get back down here.”
Regis will have to replace its entire frontcourt, following the graduation of Zac Berry, Mike Nezworski and Kurt Roubal. Junior Nick Bowe, who started while Ganske missed six games with a thigh bruise, figures to claim one of those spots.
- Joe Ziemer
The Ramblers' top two scorers -- guards Adam Ganske and Jack Eaton -- both are sophomores and should form the core of next season's team. Ganske and Eaton combined for 32 of the Ramblers' 50 points Thursday.
“It’s definitely always your goal to get down to state," Ganske said. "We’re going to be trying that the next couple years. We have a young team so hopefully, we can get back down here.”
Regis will have to replace its entire frontcourt, following the graduation of Zac Berry, Mike Nezworski and Kurt Roubal. Junior Nick Bowe, who started while Ganske missed six games with a thigh bruise, figures to claim one of those spots.
- Joe Ziemer
Ramblers fall
After leading by as many as 15 points in the second half, Eau Claire Regis fell to Iola-Scandinavia, 53-50, in the WIAA Division 3 state semifinals.
A rash of turnovers and a crucial foul call cost Regis, which had 10 turnovers in the second half.
The Thunderbirds' Mike Griffin hit two free throws with 1 minute left to give his team the lead at 51-50. That was after a very questionable foul call on Nick Bowe, his fifth. Bowe poked the ball away from Griffin near midcourt, got ahead of Griffin and appeared on his way to getting the ball when Griffin initiated contact. But the foul was called on Bowe. He fouled out, Griffin hit the eventual game-winning free throws and the Ramblers missed out on a state title game berth.
- Joe Ziemer
A rash of turnovers and a crucial foul call cost Regis, which had 10 turnovers in the second half.
The Thunderbirds' Mike Griffin hit two free throws with 1 minute left to give his team the lead at 51-50. That was after a very questionable foul call on Nick Bowe, his fifth. Bowe poked the ball away from Griffin near midcourt, got ahead of Griffin and appeared on his way to getting the ball when Griffin initiated contact. But the foul was called on Bowe. He fouled out, Griffin hit the eventual game-winning free throws and the Ramblers missed out on a state title game berth.
- Joe Ziemer
Regis leads at half
Apparently, not shooting on the Kohl Center floor yesterday didn't bother Eau Claire Regis.
The Ramblers shot 47.6 percent in the first half and have a 24-17 lead over Iola-Scandinavia.
Regis has held the Thunderbirds to 27.3 percent shooting and kept star Mike Griffin to four points on 1-of-8 shooting.
Jack Eaton has seven points to pace the Ramblers.
The Ramblers shot 47.6 percent in the first half and have a 24-17 lead over Iola-Scandinavia.
Regis has held the Thunderbirds to 27.3 percent shooting and kept star Mike Griffin to four points on 1-of-8 shooting.
Jack Eaton has seven points to pace the Ramblers.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Shootaround update
I just got back from the Nicholas Johnson Pavilion at the Kohl Center, where Eau Claire North and Eau Claire Regis were having their shootarounds (I didn't arrive in Madison in time for Eleva-Strum's -- my car needed an oil change).
Since the Badgers are playing Penn State tonight, the teams weren't able to use the Kohl Center floor. Instead they used the adjoining practice facility. That's probably the only downside of today's activities. But as far as practice facilities go, the pavilion is a pretty nice one.
One of the security guards did let the Huskies get a peak inside the Kohl Center, so they were able to get a brief glance at where they'll play tomorrow night.
Both teams seemed pretty loose and ready to go. Regis had a practice today at Edgewood, while North will practice at MATC tomorrow morning. The Huskies also had a quick practice this morning at the Doghouse before their sendoff festivities.
I'd say the highlight of today's shootaround was the impromptu dunk contest North had. Andy Kleist and Tyler Brown probably had the most impressive dunks -- Brown threw one ball off the backboard before tomahawking it home -- but James Moist also showed some hops in throwing one down for what I'm told is his first dunk.
And for the record, after being called out by several Ramblers players, I swished a free throw. I hope the TV guys have that on tape.
See y'all bright and early -- at least by sports writer standards -- tomorrow morning at the Kohl Center for Regis and Iola-Scandinavia in the Division 3 semifinals. I'll also check in throughout the day with more on that game and North's Division 1 quarterfinal against Tosa East.
- Joe Ziemer
Since the Badgers are playing Penn State tonight, the teams weren't able to use the Kohl Center floor. Instead they used the adjoining practice facility. That's probably the only downside of today's activities. But as far as practice facilities go, the pavilion is a pretty nice one.
One of the security guards did let the Huskies get a peak inside the Kohl Center, so they were able to get a brief glance at where they'll play tomorrow night.
Both teams seemed pretty loose and ready to go. Regis had a practice today at Edgewood, while North will practice at MATC tomorrow morning. The Huskies also had a quick practice this morning at the Doghouse before their sendoff festivities.
I'd say the highlight of today's shootaround was the impromptu dunk contest North had. Andy Kleist and Tyler Brown probably had the most impressive dunks -- Brown threw one ball off the backboard before tomahawking it home -- but James Moist also showed some hops in throwing one down for what I'm told is his first dunk.
And for the record, after being called out by several Ramblers players, I swished a free throw. I hope the TV guys have that on tape.
See y'all bright and early -- at least by sports writer standards -- tomorrow morning at the Kohl Center for Regis and Iola-Scandinavia in the Division 3 semifinals. I'll also check in throughout the day with more on that game and North's Division 1 quarterfinal against Tosa East.
- Joe Ziemer
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Championship
Edgewood's Cody Strang picked up a 6-on-4 goal with 48 seconds remaining but it was too little too late as Memorial completed its perfect season with a 3-1 victory over Madison Edgewood.
It's the first state title for Eau Claire Memorial since 1977 and the first-ever boys hockey title.
Jefferson Dahl, Hunter Scott and Ryan Falch all scored goals for Memorial and Sand collected 21 saves.
Edgewood's Cody Strang scored the Crusaders lone goal and goalie Brad Jerzewski made 41 saves.
--Adam Parks
It's the first state title for Eau Claire Memorial since 1977 and the first-ever boys hockey title.
Jefferson Dahl, Hunter Scott and Ryan Falch all scored goals for Memorial and Sand collected 21 saves.
Edgewood's Cody Strang scored the Crusaders lone goal and goalie Brad Jerzewski made 41 saves.
--Adam Parks
Dahl gives Memorial 3-0 lead
There's still 10 minutes remaining, but Wisconsin's Mr. Hockey award winner my have just put the game out of reach for the Crusaders with his 36th goal fo the game.
Dahl took a pass from Ryan Falch on the 2-on-1 breakaway and beat Edgewood's Brad Jerzewski with a wrist shot for the goal.
But don't take my word for it, the opposing student sections are now playing a game of verbal volleyball with a series of light-hearted chants. Seems like they've got the same feeling I do.
-- Adam Parks
Dahl took a pass from Ryan Falch on the 2-on-1 breakaway and beat Edgewood's Brad Jerzewski with a wrist shot for the goal.
But don't take my word for it, the opposing student sections are now playing a game of verbal volleyball with a series of light-hearted chants. Seems like they've got the same feeling I do.
-- Adam Parks
Memorial pads the lead
Hunter Scott became the seventh Old Abes player to score in the tournment, slamming home a rebound for the 2-0 advantage.
Scott and Jefferson Dahl attacked the Edgewood zone on a 2-on-1 opportunity when Dahl fired a shot from the right side that caromed off of goaltender Brad Jerzewski to Scott on the backside for the tally.
-- Adam Parks
Scott and Jefferson Dahl attacked the Edgewood zone on a 2-on-1 opportunity when Dahl fired a shot from the right side that caromed off of goaltender Brad Jerzewski to Scott on the backside for the tally.
-- Adam Parks
Abes take lead
One power-play opportunity, one goal for the Old Abes.
Ryan Falch took a pass from Shayne McLaughlin in the circle just to the left of Edgewood goalie Brad Jerzewski and flipped a wrister past the sophomore netminder over his glove for the tally.
It's the second goal of the tournament for Falch, who notched the game winner in yesterday's win over Superior.
-- Adam Parks
Ryan Falch took a pass from Shayne McLaughlin in the circle just to the left of Edgewood goalie Brad Jerzewski and flipped a wrister past the sophomore netminder over his glove for the tally.
It's the second goal of the tournament for Falch, who notched the game winner in yesterday's win over Superior.
-- Adam Parks
WIAA state boys hockey tournament-LIVE
The Eau Claire bad is pounding out the final countdown, a sea of purple rose in waves as the Old Abes stepped on the ice and the excitement nearly unbearable.
All of which can mean only one thing...
We're back live from the Alliant Energy Center in Madison where the Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes will look to earn their first-ever boys hockey title when they face off against the Madison Edgewood Crusaders.
The Old Abes are warming up, fighting through the butterflies and getting ready for the biggest hockey game in Memorial history.
And while they get warmed up, here's a few nuggets for some pre-game reading (kind of like my own little warmup):
-- The 2008 all-state team was released and four Old Abes are on the first team list: Jefferson Dahl, David Donnellan, Brady Keegan and Brady Sand. It was the consecutive first team honor for Dahl, Keegan and Sand. Donnellan was an honorable mention pick last year. Shayne McLaughlin, Nate Verbracken and Ben Kincaid all made the honorable mention list.
-- Memorial is looking to end a state title drought that dates back to 1977, when the boys golf team took home the state title. This is the first time in the state tournament championship game for the Old Abes.
-- Edgewood is here by virtue of its 3-2 victory over Appleton United yesterday evening. Freshman Gage Maurer scored the game-winner 12 minutes, 20 seconds into the third period.Maurer has two goals in the playoffs.
-- The scoring has been balanced the past two games for Memorial with five different players scoring and only one, Nate Verbracken, scoring more than once (he's got 2 goals).
-- Madison Edgewood has only two losses all season, both coming while star forward Cody Strang was on the shelf with a broken ankle. Strang missed nine games during the season and still entered the state tournament as the Crusaders' third-leading scorer.
-- Memorial will have to stay out of the penalty box, where they've gotten in trouble at state. All three state tournament goals have come on the power-play, the same number the Old Abes have given up in 23 games entering the state tournament.
-- Like Memorial, Edgewood can claim a finalist for the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association player of the year award in senior defenseman Tyler Sorenson.
All of which can mean only one thing...
We're back live from the Alliant Energy Center in Madison where the Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes will look to earn their first-ever boys hockey title when they face off against the Madison Edgewood Crusaders.
The Old Abes are warming up, fighting through the butterflies and getting ready for the biggest hockey game in Memorial history.
And while they get warmed up, here's a few nuggets for some pre-game reading (kind of like my own little warmup):
-- The 2008 all-state team was released and four Old Abes are on the first team list: Jefferson Dahl, David Donnellan, Brady Keegan and Brady Sand. It was the consecutive first team honor for Dahl, Keegan and Sand. Donnellan was an honorable mention pick last year. Shayne McLaughlin, Nate Verbracken and Ben Kincaid all made the honorable mention list.
-- Memorial is looking to end a state title drought that dates back to 1977, when the boys golf team took home the state title. This is the first time in the state tournament championship game for the Old Abes.
-- Edgewood is here by virtue of its 3-2 victory over Appleton United yesterday evening. Freshman Gage Maurer scored the game-winner 12 minutes, 20 seconds into the third period.Maurer has two goals in the playoffs.
-- The scoring has been balanced the past two games for Memorial with five different players scoring and only one, Nate Verbracken, scoring more than once (he's got 2 goals).
-- Madison Edgewood has only two losses all season, both coming while star forward Cody Strang was on the shelf with a broken ankle. Strang missed nine games during the season and still entered the state tournament as the Crusaders' third-leading scorer.
-- Memorial will have to stay out of the penalty box, where they've gotten in trouble at state. All three state tournament goals have come on the power-play, the same number the Old Abes have given up in 23 games entering the state tournament.
-- Like Memorial, Edgewood can claim a finalist for the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association player of the year award in senior defenseman Tyler Sorenson.
Previewing the WIAC women's title game
The top-seeded UW-Eau Claire women’s basketball team had Zorn Arena rocking Thursday night in an 86-61 rout of fourth-seeded rival UW-Stout in the semifinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament. But one of the most enthusiastic roars from the crowd of 1,409 came after the game, when it was announced that third-seeded UW-Stevens Point upset second-seeded UW-Whitewater, 79-71, in the other semifinal.
Technically, the Pointers were the underdogs. But they’ve shown all season long that they can run with –- and defeat –- anyone else in the conference. And that includes the Blugolds.
The Blugolds (22-5) host the Pointers (23-4) in the WIAC tournament championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday at Zorn Arena, and the winner will earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. The teams split their regular-season series, with the Blugolds winning, 62-54, on Jan. 23 at Zorn Arena and the Pointers getting even with a 57-43 victory Feb. 13 in Stevens Point.
Three things the Blugolds must do to defeat the Pointers this time:
1. Contain the Pointers’ athletic guards: The Pointers usually start three of them –- Katie Webber, Jessi Sporle and Haley Houghton. Houghton is their biggest scoring threat, averaging 12.8 points per game and scoring from just about everywhere on the court, but all three guards are matchup headaches. Neither Webber nor Sporle averages more than 10 per game, but both are smart, move well without the ball and create opportunities for their teammates. Heather Witt, Amanda Zenner, Heidi Arciszewski, Missy Fremstad and Rachel Mueggenborg will have their hands full Saturday.
2. Shut down the Pointers’ perimeter game: Houghton has drilled more 3-pointers this season (53) than anyone else in the conference, and forward Laura Neuenfeldt (41) is sixth in the WIAC. As a forward who can do just as much damage outside as inside, Neuenfeldt especially is dangerous, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Michelle Burns seeing a lot of that assignment. Since Blugolds freshman forward Hannah Mesick spends much of her time in the paint, it likely will be on Burns to keep Neuenfeldt quiet. Of course, the Blugolds will count on Witt and Mueggenborg to establish their own presence outside the arc. Mueggenborg has been especially surgical of late, nailing a school-record nine treys in the WIAC quarterfinals against UW-River Falls on Tuesday at Zorn Arena.
3. Get the ball to Michelle Burns: This one shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Burns has become the Blugolds’ unquestioned go-to player down the stretch, and there aren’t many players in the WIAC with the ability to both slow her in the paint and chase her around the outside. She averages 14.7 points per game – fourth in the WIAC –- and 6.3 boards –- fifth in the WIAC. But, more than that, she’s been there before, she’s poised, and she’s the glue that holds her team together. She scored a combined 31 points in the teams’ first two meetings. She’s got a lot of reliable help around her in veterans Witt, Zenner and Arciszewski, and her presence both inside and outside could set the game’s tone early in what should be a jam-packed Zorn Arena.
-Justin Harings
Technically, the Pointers were the underdogs. But they’ve shown all season long that they can run with –- and defeat –- anyone else in the conference. And that includes the Blugolds.
The Blugolds (22-5) host the Pointers (23-4) in the WIAC tournament championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday at Zorn Arena, and the winner will earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. The teams split their regular-season series, with the Blugolds winning, 62-54, on Jan. 23 at Zorn Arena and the Pointers getting even with a 57-43 victory Feb. 13 in Stevens Point.
Three things the Blugolds must do to defeat the Pointers this time:
1. Contain the Pointers’ athletic guards: The Pointers usually start three of them –- Katie Webber, Jessi Sporle and Haley Houghton. Houghton is their biggest scoring threat, averaging 12.8 points per game and scoring from just about everywhere on the court, but all three guards are matchup headaches. Neither Webber nor Sporle averages more than 10 per game, but both are smart, move well without the ball and create opportunities for their teammates. Heather Witt, Amanda Zenner, Heidi Arciszewski, Missy Fremstad and Rachel Mueggenborg will have their hands full Saturday.
2. Shut down the Pointers’ perimeter game: Houghton has drilled more 3-pointers this season (53) than anyone else in the conference, and forward Laura Neuenfeldt (41) is sixth in the WIAC. As a forward who can do just as much damage outside as inside, Neuenfeldt especially is dangerous, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Michelle Burns seeing a lot of that assignment. Since Blugolds freshman forward Hannah Mesick spends much of her time in the paint, it likely will be on Burns to keep Neuenfeldt quiet. Of course, the Blugolds will count on Witt and Mueggenborg to establish their own presence outside the arc. Mueggenborg has been especially surgical of late, nailing a school-record nine treys in the WIAC quarterfinals against UW-River Falls on Tuesday at Zorn Arena.
3. Get the ball to Michelle Burns: This one shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Burns has become the Blugolds’ unquestioned go-to player down the stretch, and there aren’t many players in the WIAC with the ability to both slow her in the paint and chase her around the outside. She averages 14.7 points per game – fourth in the WIAC –- and 6.3 boards –- fifth in the WIAC. But, more than that, she’s been there before, she’s poised, and she’s the glue that holds her team together. She scored a combined 31 points in the teams’ first two meetings. She’s got a lot of reliable help around her in veterans Witt, Zenner and Arciszewski, and her presence both inside and outside could set the game’s tone early in what should be a jam-packed Zorn Arena.
-Justin Harings
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