Kaukauna races to Division 2 title with rout of Waunakee

The Division 2 championship game was played fast. And it was over fast.

Kaukauna left no doubt as to the state’s top team in that division on Saturday, as the Ghosts ran past Waunakee 91-62 at the Kohl Center. Kaukauna tied the Division 2 record for points in a game, set by Clintonville in the 1977 Class B championship, while also setting the mark for the largest Division 2 title game victory margin. The former record of 28 points was set in Elkhorn’s 81-53 win over Park Falls in 1978.

And it was all at a hip-hop tempo.

“If you want to get into a track meet with us, we’ll get in the blocks with you and we’re fine with it,” said sophomore guard Jordan McCabe, who led Kaukauna with 24 points including four 3-pointers.

The Ghosts (26-2) led just 22-20 with 4:42 left in the first half before tearing off an 11-0 run to close the half. They then scored the first four points of the second half and never led by less than 16 the rest of the way.

Waunakee tried to run with the Ghosts early, but committed 13 of its 21 turnovers in the first half that took themselves out of the stride-for-stride race with the Ghosts. The Warriors (25-3) finished shooting just 30 percent from the field and just 18 percent (4 of 22) from behind the arc.

“Tempo had nothing to do with it,” Waunakee coach Dana MacKenzie said. “It’s the way we’ve played all year and this wasn’t the time to change it. … A lot of people might want to slow it down with them, but that’s not us.”

Kaukauna’s defense that caused those turnovers sparked the offensive outburst and led to transition baskets. The Ghosts led in rebounds (44-40), points in the paint (52-28) and points off turnovers (23-17). That defense also held Warriors standouts Mitch Listau (17.5 ppg) and Mason Steffen (11.5 ppg) to nine and four points, respectively.

“When you can play defense and score in transition, that makes the game a little easier,” Kaukauna coach Mike Schalow said. “With great respect to Waunakee and the season they had, we felt comfortable and confident when they were willing to play in the open court.”

Adam Smith added 22 points and Marcus Moreau 18 for Kaukauna. Riley Freeman led Waunakee a double-double in his final prep game, ending with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Controlling McCabe

Kaukauna’s point guard brings dazzling skills and shooting ability, but Waunakee tried to control it as best it could. They did manage to force six McCabe turnovers, but he also got six steals against the Warriors.

“He does have a lot of flash in his game,” Waunakee guard Kyle Jensen said. “Sometimes he might try to do too much, so he tried to hurry him and get him off the 3-point line.”

McCabe does have a game well-honed by years of AAU ball and countless hours in the gym, but he does have another driving force that led him to aim for a state championship.

“I don’t have to sit at the dinner table and hear my dad tell me that they had the best team in Kaukauna history,” he said with a smile, referring to his dad’s days as a Ghosts point guard in the 1990s.

Last best hope for the Warriors

Waunakee went on an 8-0 run midway through the first half to close to within 22-20. That included a Jacob Miller steal and 3-pointer, a 3-point play from Listau and a pair of free throws by Freeman.

“You could tell right then when we got that run, our juices were running a little better,” Jensen said. “But obviously it wasn’t enough.”