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Division 4 State Tournament Preview

Semifinals - Thursday, March 17
Game-1:  Grantsburg (21-5) vs. Blair-Taylor (26-0) - 6:35 p.m.
Game-2:  Marathon (25-1) vs. Oostburg (26-0) - approx. 20 min. following Game-1
 
Championship Game - Saturday, March 19
Game-3:  Winner of Game-1 vs. Winner of Game-2 - approx. 20 min. following Division 5 final

Division 4 Playoff Bracket

Grantsburg, 21-5

Road to Madison – Grantsburg was the #1 seed in Sectional 1, Regional A. They knocked off Clear Lake in the second round 72-59 then dispatched Spring Valley 51-40 in the regional final. They won easily over Phillips 50-36 before defeating Colfax 49-38 in the sectional final.

State Tourney History – Grantsburg is making its second boys basketball state tournament appearance, the other coming in 2005 when they advanced to the Division 3 title game before falling to Dominican 66-57.

Notes – Grantsburg finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Lakeland-West with a 8-4 league record, three games behind champion Luck…Senior guards Trevor Thompson and Brent Myers are the leaders for the Pirates, averaging 16.4 and 15.6 points per game respectively…Thompson and Myers combined to make 66 three-pointers during the regular season…Size could be an issue for Grantsburg, as they have just two players over 6-1.

"X" Factor – Three-point shooting. Long-range shooting can be a great equalizer, and the Pirates have shown a willingness and ability to shoot it from deep this year. If they can adjust to the background and environment of the Kohl Center and knock down some shots early, they could rattle Blair-Taylor in the state semi-final.

Why Grantsburg Will Win the Title – The Pirates weren’t the first team in many people’s minds when picking the Sectional 1 winner, but they have proven they belong on the big stage. With accomplished scorers in Thompson and Myers, they can stay with anyone when they’re hitting. With those two leading the way and the supporting cast coming up big, they shoot down Blair-Taylor in the opening game and carry the hot streak into the title game where they nail 8 three-pointers to claim the title.

Audio from statewide coach conference call

Official WIAA Roster with team info, school facts, and game results

Blair-Taylor, 26-0

Road to Madison – The top seed in Sectional 3, Regional A, Blair-Taylor cruised through regionals with 73-25 and 69-38 wins over Eleva-Strum and Pittsville respectively. They held off a strong test from Bangor in the sectional semi-final, 59-48, then turned away Cuba City 58-48 for the right to advance to state.

State Tourney History – Blair-Taylor has made six trips to the state tournament, but is still searching for its first win in Madison. This is the Wildcats’ third straight appearance and fifth in the last eight years.

Notes – Blair-Taylor dominated the Dairyland-Large with a 13-0 league record…Seniors Hank Kujak, Isaiah Paulson, and Lucas Howe were all starters for the Wildcats in last year’s state tournament, and junior Reggie Kujak was the top reserve…While just 6-2, Howe is a monster on the boards, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game…Blair-Taylor has outstanding size and length throughout their line-up, with 10 players listed at 6-2 or taller (and all five starters), led by 6-7 Reggie Kujak.

"X" Factor – Dalton Soto. Just a freshman, Soto only averages about 4.7 points per game. However, he is one of the few three-point threats for the Wildcats, who are adept at getting into the paint off the dribble or in the post. He was 25 of 51 on three’s through regional play, and also made a big play in the sectional final game against Cuba City. He could be a guy to look out for if teams try to pack it in on the Wildcats.

Why Blair-Taylor Will Win the Title – The Wildcats have been #1 in the Division 4 WSN Coaches Poll all season, and deservedly so. They have size, experience, athleticism, and a go-to player in Hank Kujak. After six trips to state without a victory, this is the year they get over the hump. The length and experience is too much for upstart Grantsburg in the semis, and in the state final game Hank Kujak makes the winning play down the stretch for a state title.

Audio from statewide coach conference call

Official WIAA Roster with team info, school facts, and game results

Marathon, 25-1

Road to Madison – Marathon was the #1 seed in Sectional 2, Regional A, and has run through the playoffs mostly unchallenged. In regional action they defeated Stratford 66-40 and Three Lakes 61-38. They knocked off Amherst 59-41 in the sectional semifinals and dominated Oshkosh Lourdes 63-37 to advance to state.

State Tourney History – The Red Raiders are making their seventh state tournament trip, but first since 1984. Marathon claimed state titles in 1975, 1976, and 1977.

Notes – Tied for first in the Marawood-South with Auburndale at 13-1…Senior Cody Hanke was a First Team WBCA All-State performer last year and is likely to be again this season after averaging 24.2 points and 7 rebounds per game…Marathon’s lone loss on the year was a late-season defeat at the hands of Marawood-South co-champ Auburndale.

"X" Factor – Complimentary players. Hanke is outstanding and is likely to be able to get his opportunities in the post, on the boards, etc. However, at the state tournament, other players are going to have to step up. Five players average between 6 and 8 points, and at least one if not two of them will need to step into double-digits to pull out a “W”.

Why Marathon Will Win the Title – Hanke is a dominating force and is certainly capable of carrying a team. He plays big as you would expect, but the complimentary players step up as well allowing the Red Raiders to advance. A late season loss to Auburndale that ended a perfect season may have been a bit of a blessing in disguise as the pressure of an undefeated season was no longer there.

Audio from statewide coach conference call

Official WIAA Roster with team info, school facts, and game results

Oostburg, 26-0

Road to Madison – Oostburg received the #1 seed in Sectional 4, Regional B and handled Cedar Grove-Belgium 62-35 and Ozaukee 51-31. A pair of tough games waited in sectionals though, but the Flying Dutchmen prevailed 40-39 over Laconia and 37-32 over Racine Lutheran.

State Tourney History – Oostburg is making its eight state tournament appearance, and first since 2002. The Dutchmen won titles in 1986, 1987, and 1995.

Notes – The Dutchmen won an outright Central Lakeshore title at 18-0…Oostburg is one of the top three-point shooting teams in the state, having made 151 through 25 games…Five players attempt at least one three-pointer per game, led by Nicholas Huibregtse who has made 53 of 140 attempts.

"X" Factor – Defense. Oostburg allowed just 37.8 points per game, and were able to hang their hats on the defensive end all season. Division 4 has some outstanding offensive players in the state tournament this year, and the ability to limit what teams can do offensively is sure to be important.

Why Oostburg Will Win the Title – Oostburg had arguably the toughest road to state of any remaining team with sectional games against 1-loss Laconia and an outstanding Racine Lutheran team. With a senior-laden, battle-hardened group, the Flying Dutchmen make plays in crunch time and use their strong defense to stifle Marathon’s Cody Hanke and continue it later on in the state title game.

Audio from statewide coach conference call

Official WIAA Roster with team info, school facts, and game results