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D2 Semi-Final Notes: Notre Dame cruises past Onalaska and Reedsburg uses a big second half to defeat New Berlin Eisenhower

02/27/2021, 5:30pm CST
By Norbert Durst

Notre Dame cruised to a 64-32 win over Onalaska in a Division 2 state semifinal on Friday morning at the La Crosse Center. 

The Tritons held a 31-20 lead at halftime before outscoring Onalaska 33-12 in the second half to earn their fifth state championship appearance in program history. 

Freshman Gracie Grzesk, a 5-foot-11 wing, finished with a game-high 16 points and added two steals and two assists for the Tritons. 

Senior Sammy Opichka, a 6-foot wing/guard, tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three rebounds. 

Other notable contributors for the Tritons were junior Sarah Hardwick, a 5-foot-11 forward, and senior Georgia Gregorie, a 5-foot-7 guard, who each tallied eight points. 

Coach Sara Rohde earned her 200th career victory, in her 10th season as the Tritons head coach. 

Notre Dame improves to 27-1 on the season and are winners of its last 25 games heading in to the Division 2 state championship game against Reedsburg. 

Onalaska got a team-high 10 points from senior guard Olivia Gamoke. 

The Hilltoppers finish the year with a 17-4 record. 

Reedsburg outscored New Berlin Eisenhower 36-13 in the second half to earn the 67-48 win and advance to the program's first-ever trip to a state championship game. 

The Beavers were led by junior Mahra Wieman, a 5-foot-10 wing, who finished with 22 points on nine of 18 shooting from the floor, and added eight rebounds. 

Freshman Sydney Cherney, a 5-foot-8 guard, tallied 20 points, including going 12-for-14 from the free throw line, and added four rebounds and three assists. 

Coach Mark Simon and the Beavers also got strong play from junior Trenna Cherney, a 5-foot-10, contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds and two assists.

Reedsburg shot 44 percent from the field, six of 14 from behind the arc, and went 17-for-21 from the free throw line. 

New Berlin Eisenhower went cold from the field in the second half after leading 35-31 at the break. The Lions were held without a field goal for 13-minute span in the second half. 

The Lions were led by senior Cameron Hoffman, a 5-foot-11 wing, who finished with 16 points, all coming in the first half. 

Fellow senior Nikki Dienberg added 13 points and nine rebounds for coach Andy Monfre and the Lions. 

The Lions shot just 18-for-55 from the field and made only four of their 21 three-point attempts in the loss. 

New Berlin Eisenhower finishes the year with a 24-5 record. 

Reedsburg improves to 20-1 on the year and will face top-ranked Notre Dame in the Division 2 state championship at 6:35 p.m. 

For the latest and most up to date girls' basketball news and recruiting information, follow Norbert on Twitter @NorbertDurst. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Norbert

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