Vikings Advance to Sectional Finals
The Vikings' defense delivered a strong effort throughout and the offense showed up right on time, as Wisco defeated Martin Luther 60-54 in a sectional semifinal game at WLHS.
The game was close throughout. The Vikings opened up a six-point lead on MJ Townsend's three-pointer with 6:28 remaining in the first half, and led by six again when Isaiah Hopf connected from downtown with 3:17 left before halftime. But the Spartans closed the half on an 8-2 run to send the teams into the locker room tied at 24. Wisco shot just 34% in the first half but stayed in the game by grabbing nine offensive rebounds.
Prentice Young made three of his first four shots after halftime to help stake the Vikings to a 35-30 lead with 14:36 to play. Once again, Martin Luther was able to close the gap and tied the game at 41 on a pair of free throws with 6:28 left. The teams traded baskets until the Spartans edged ahead for the first time in the second half on a three-pointer with 4:37 remaining.
But the Vikings had the answer. After a timeout, Young hit his first three-pointer of the night to tie the game at 50. After the teams traded scores he connected again from behind the arc to put Wisco up 55-52 with 2:15 to play. One minute later, he came up with a steal and made one of two free throws to make it 56-52 with 1:07 remaining. Two free throws from the visitors narrowed the gap to 56-54, and the Spartans had the ball with under a minute left and a chance to tie the game. But the Wisco defense forced a missed shot, Jonah Rindfleisch grabbed his 10th rebound of the night, and Hopf was able to get behind the defense for a layup to make it 58-54 with just 23 seconds remaining. After one final stop, Young converted two free throws with nine seconds to play to provide the final margin.
Young led all scorers with 23 points, 17 of which came in the second half. Hopf added 13 points and seven rebounds. Rindfleisch scored eight points and grabbed 10 boards, and Kon Knueppel added nine points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots. The Vikings forced 14 turnovers and held the Spartans to 39% shooting, while enjoying a 14-7 advantage on the offensive glass. More stats are available here.
The win sends Wisco to the sectional finals for the fifth time under Ryan Walz. They will travel to Pewaukee on February 27. Game time is tentatively scheduled for 7:00 PM.
Back
The game was close throughout. The Vikings opened up a six-point lead on MJ Townsend's three-pointer with 6:28 remaining in the first half, and led by six again when Isaiah Hopf connected from downtown with 3:17 left before halftime. But the Spartans closed the half on an 8-2 run to send the teams into the locker room tied at 24. Wisco shot just 34% in the first half but stayed in the game by grabbing nine offensive rebounds.
Prentice Young made three of his first four shots after halftime to help stake the Vikings to a 35-30 lead with 14:36 to play. Once again, Martin Luther was able to close the gap and tied the game at 41 on a pair of free throws with 6:28 left. The teams traded baskets until the Spartans edged ahead for the first time in the second half on a three-pointer with 4:37 remaining.
But the Vikings had the answer. After a timeout, Young hit his first three-pointer of the night to tie the game at 50. After the teams traded scores he connected again from behind the arc to put Wisco up 55-52 with 2:15 to play. One minute later, he came up with a steal and made one of two free throws to make it 56-52 with 1:07 remaining. Two free throws from the visitors narrowed the gap to 56-54, and the Spartans had the ball with under a minute left and a chance to tie the game. But the Wisco defense forced a missed shot, Jonah Rindfleisch grabbed his 10th rebound of the night, and Hopf was able to get behind the defense for a layup to make it 58-54 with just 23 seconds remaining. After one final stop, Young converted two free throws with nine seconds to play to provide the final margin.
Young led all scorers with 23 points, 17 of which came in the second half. Hopf added 13 points and seven rebounds. Rindfleisch scored eight points and grabbed 10 boards, and Kon Knueppel added nine points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots. The Vikings forced 14 turnovers and held the Spartans to 39% shooting, while enjoying a 14-7 advantage on the offensive glass. More stats are available here.
The win sends Wisco to the sectional finals for the fifth time under Ryan Walz. They will travel to Pewaukee on February 27. Game time is tentatively scheduled for 7:00 PM.
