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Stevens Point dominates from opening tip in ending Germantown's string of three straight D1 state championships

03/22/2015, 11:00am CDT
By Mark Miller

This, to say the least, was unexpected.

Stevens Point, a program that has been on a roll within its Wisconsin Valley Conference and a team many expected to advance to the WIAA State Tournament, was pitted against three-time defending Division 1 state champion Germantown in the final game of the 100th anniversary of the WIAA State Tournament.

Most expected Germantown to join Dominican and Randolph as the only schools in state history to win four consecutive state title.

But most also forgot to tell that to Stevens Point.

Or maybe Stevens Point heard all of that and it provided extra motivation.

Whatever the reason, the Panthers came out on fire and took it to previously unbeaten Germantown from the opening tip.

Stevens Point outscored Germantown in every quarter en route to its thoroughly convincing 67-51 victory at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Junior standouts Sam Hauser and Trev Anderson once again led Stevens Point, which completed its remarkable season with a 27-1 record with its only loss coming to Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Hauser was simply sensational in the first period. 

The 6-foot-6 wing player and top-ranked class of 2016 prospect in the state by WisSports.net buried four three-point baskets, a jumper and two free throws while also blocking two shots. 

Hauser finished the period with all 16 of Stevens Point's points and his triple late in the quarter gave the Panthers a lead they would never relinquish.  

Stevens Point led 16-12 after the first period and then increased the margin to 30-22 by intermission as Anderson got involved offensively. The 6-foot-2 point guard and No. 2-ranked prospect in Wisconsin in the 2016 class scored 10 points in the second period as the Panthers continued to exert their will on the Warhawks.

Hauser finished the game with 25 points, 10 rebounds, five blocked shots and three steals.

Anderson had 25 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Senior forward and Wisconsin football recruit Andrew Ruzek contributed four points and seven rebounds while junior guard Jamison Kryshak had four points and two rebounds.

Stevens Point coach Scott Anderson guided the Panthers to their first state title since 1994 with a victory over the state's most dominant program over the past three seasons.

"I have known Scotty for 25 years," Germantown coach Steve Showalter said. "I am proud of him and the fact that they came down here and did what they did against a juggernaut program like ours that has been on a roll for so long. They definitely earned it and definitely took it to us. All credit goes to them."

Long known for their physical and mental toughness, Germantown was on the other end of those attributes for much of the game against Stevens Point, which out-rebounded the Warhawks 16-7 in the first half 31-21 for the game.

"Our kids were on a mission this year," coach Anderson said. "They lost a heart-breaker in the sectional (to Neenah) last year and thought we were good enough to give it a run. Sam and Trev, especially, and their teammates were very focused this year. I thought we played outstanding tonight.

"Sam ... I think that hoop was as big as an ocean tonight in that first quarter. He jump-started us and got us going. These guys have been a dynamic duo for us all year. Trev took over his part and Andrew Ruzek with his toughness and rebounds, and everybody else. What a wonderful team win and we're just thrilled."

Junior point guard Juwan McCloud had a team-high 15 points to lead Germantown, which returns a very talented lineup next season with McCloud, wing Max Keefe and forward Conner Edmonds all expected back. 

Stevens Point also returns the bulk of its offense with Hauser, Anderson and promising freshman Joey Hauser, who had six points, six rebounds and four assists against Germantown, all returning.

Stevens Point and Germantown will play against in December as part of the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout at Concordia University in Mequon.

But for now, the Gold Ball and all the rewards of being a state champion reside in Stevens Point. 

"I don't care what somebody might say about the smaller schools, that team is the best team in the state, easily," Showalter said of Stevens Point. "My goal is trying to figure out a way to beat them."

Attendance

Preliminary attendance for the Saturday evening championship session was 14,699. That is 1,733 more than last year's Saturday evening session. Total attendance for the three-day championships was 84,022. That is 3,520 more than last year's total attendance, and the second-highest (by just 509) since the tournament went to 5 divisions.

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