Wisconsin Rapids Boys Hockey
Before the WIAA Regional boys hockey tournament even began, the Wisconsin Rapids boys hockey team owned a sub-.500 overall record and won just one of its last four games. Yet the Red Raiders, who earned the 4-seed in the Onalaska Sectional, fell into place at a great time and earned this week's Splash of the Week.
After taking care of Aquinas 4-2 in the regional final game last weekend, Rapids shut out top-seeded Sparta 4-0, then beat host Onalaska 3-2 to earn another trip to the State tournament this season--its seventh in the past 10 years.
In the Sectional semifinals against Sparta, Zach Campbell scored a pair of goals and an assist and goalie Steve Kubisiak recorded 25 saves to lead the Red Raiders to the shutout victory.
Wisconsin Rapids will move on to play Wisconsin Valley Conference foe and league champion Wausau West in the state quarterfinals Thursday. The Warriors swept the season series by posting 5-4 and 9-2 wins earlier this year.
Honorable Mention
Luck Girls Basketball: After posting a sluggish 52-43 win over Chetek to start to the week, the Cardinals responded by handing West Lakeland leader Siren its first league loss since January of 2007 with a 51-48 road victory. Surprisingly, Luck did so via an octet of 3-pointers as freshman point guard Avery Steen sunk six of them herself and finished with a team-high 22 points. Senior Taryn Pilz also picked up a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Cardinals, who forged a tie atop the standings at 10-1, can secure its first conference championship since 2005 with a win over rival Frederic Friday.
Nate Radke, Union Grove (Boys Basketball): Radke scored 44 points in a Southern Lakes matchup over Badger Friday night, as the Broncos finished league play with a 72-67 win over the Badgers. Radke, who set a new school record with his outburst, shot 16-for-23 from the field and 6-for-8 from behind the arc. The previous UG mark was set in 1995 by Jason Morgan, who scored four fewer points than Radke.
Megan Bailey & Emily Wigdale, USM Co-op (Girls Hockey): Bailey recorded a point in every game so far this season, yet came through even moreso in the clutch for the Wildcats' Sectional final matchup Friday. Bailey scored a pair of goals and an assist in USM's victory over the Capitol City Cougars, sending the Wildcats to their first ever State tournament. Freshman Emily Wigdale also recorded 26 saves in the 4-1 victory, improving upon her already impressive 94.3 save percentage.
The Splash of the Week is sponsored by PlayInTheDells.com. It highlights the player, coach or team that has "made a splash" in the world of high school sports. Coming out of nowhere to do something great, going above and beyond the call of duty, etc. Basically making something big happen and having the ripples of the accomplishment resonate throughout your sport. Please contact us to nominate your hometown heroes today.
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