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.
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