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Many state basketball fans might already be set to coronate Germantown as the WIAA Division 1 champion for the second straight year, especially after the Warhawks’ dominating 80-60 win over Oshkosh North in Friday’s semifinal at the Kohl Center.

Neither coach from Germantown or Mukwonago, which beat Milwaukee Rufus King 64-47 Friday, is ready to concede that point.

“We know there are two good teams out there; we’re not stupid,” Germantown’s Steve Showalter said. “King really woke us up in that championship game last year when we were really riding high last year at this point. Now we know that we have to prepare all night and during the day before the game.”

Also of interest is that for the first time since 1989, no Milwaukee or Madison city school will be in the Division 1 championship game.

“We reminded our guys all week about the last seven days, and reminded them about the first 16 minutes of the (sectional final Madison) Memorial game,” Mukwonago coach Jim Haasser said. “We managed the game, slowed it down … We have to try to make (Germantown) play in the half-court.”

Inside and out

Oshkosh North had no answer for the combined efforts of Germantown center Luke Fischer and shooting guard Jake Showalter on Friday. Fischer finished with 32 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks, while Showalter tied the Division 1 single-game record with seven 3-pointers.

“We knew it was going to be a pretty steep hill to climb,” Oshkosh North coach Frank Schade said. “We thought we might get by if they were going to beat us, it was going to be from the outside. We didn’t think Showalter would get that hot ... they were just a better team. And the big kid inside (Fischer) changes all your preparation.”

C’mon dad…

Jake Showalter said he wasn’t thinking about the 3-pointer record during Friday’s win, although he realized that he had come close last year when he had six threes in a state semifinal win over Madison Memorial.

“Except when he gave me a hard time all last summer for pulling him out in the fourth quarter,” Jake’s dad, Germantown coach Steve Showalter, joked in the interview room afterward.

“No comment,” Jake quickly responded.

With all guns blazing

While numerous teams through the season tried to slow Germantown by limiting possessions, Oshkosh North stayed with its 1-3-1 zone and attacking offense. The Spartans (23-4) were effective at times, even leading late in the first quarter, but were finally overwhelmed by the Warhawks.

“We wanted to get after them right away and not take a back seat to them,” said North guard Nathan Neveau, whose 15 points included a nifty drive and scoop around Fischer. 

“We’re not going to change the way we play. If we lose, we lose,” Schade said. 

More to come

Of the 10 starters for Germantown and Oshkosh North on Friday, only one of them – Fischer – is a senior. Of the five seniors total on the two rosters, only three of them saw eight or more minutes in Friday’s game.

Speed and power

The muscular Mukwonago squad and the quickness of Milwaukee King was a sharp contrast Friday, and the Indians had the advantage. The game became more physical as the Generals applied more pressure defense, but couldn’t match Mukwonago’s bulk.

“We have a rotation where every three minutes we sub people in,” King senior Corey Bias said. “You work hard when you’re in there, but their strength in the post and on the block made it hard to stop them when they’re super-strong like that.”

The Indians meanwhile, had to adjust to the speed and frenzy of King’s press, but a physical game fit their style better.

“I guess I like a rough game,” said Mukwonago’s muscular 6-4 senior forward Nate Tanguay, who drew laughs from the media with the response. “When people start banging, it’s a good thing … I think we know we’re getting into their heads when they’re coming at us full force.”

A simple reason

King coach Jim Gosz didn’t try to go into a lengthy explanation after the Generals’ loss.

“This game humbles you real quick,” he said. “Tonight the better team won. We knew what Mukwonago was about. They exposed our weaknesses inside.”

Awards season

Fischer was told during the postgame media session that his selection as the state’s Mr. Basketball by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association was getting public mention in social media. The award is due to officially be announced Saturday.

“Did you tweet that?” Steve Showalter asked his center.

“I didn’t say anything,” replied Fischer, who had been told of the award by his coaches earlier Friday.

Note:  Attendance for the Division 1 semi-final session was 15,408. That is the fourth-highest single-session total in WIAA history.