Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

The excitement continues at the Kohl Center with an overtime River Ridge win

At last week’s boys state tournament, we saw plenty of upsets and exciting finishes, and if Thursday’s Division 5 semi-final between River Ridge and Prentice is any indication, the girls tournament will be just as entertaining.

Despite committing more turnovers and allowing more offensive rebounds than head coach Caron Townsend would like, River Ridge competed to the end and claimed a 43-42 overtime win when senior Jessica Mergen hit a pair of free throws with 1.3 seconds left.

“I just needed to focus on the hoop and not on the crowd and not on the fans, and just follow through,” Mergen said after the game.

Free throws would play a key role in the extra period, as Prentice went just 1 for 5 in overtime, including three misses on the front end of the bonus in the final minute. It was uncharacteristic for a team that had shot 63% coming in, and was 7 for 8 during regulation.

Behind a large and boisterous crowd often chanting “Yes We Can”, River Ridge took a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter. Prentice finished the half on a 12-5 run however, and took a 19-18 lead into halftime as Abbie Anderson nailed a three-pointer with just over a minute to go.

Things were definitely looking up for the Buccaneers coming out of halftime, as they scored on a set play on the first possession and would take a 29-20 after Abbie Anderson’s basket with 4:32 left in the third quarter.

As they have done all playoffs, River Ridge would continue to fight. Experience gained against ranked teams Highland and Seneca would be put to use again, as the Timberwolves chipped away at the lead and eventually took a 35-34 edge of their own with 2:57 left in the game.

The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Megan White scoring on a driving layup for River Ridge with six seconds to tie it at 39. Prentice’s Cassie Hallstrand had a runner from 35 feet blocked as the horn sounded, although the Buccaneer faithful felt a foul should have been called.

Prentice got the first three points of the extra period, all from senior Cassie Hallstrand, but were unable to put the game away from the free throw line. Jessica Mergen was able to finally get River Ridge on the board with 11 seconds left on a layup, and Buccaneers had a chance for the win after Prentice once again missed the front end of the bonus.

A hectic exchange followed with White nearly losing possession before shoveling it to Mergen, who was fouled with 1.3 seconds left. She calmly nailed both shots, paying extra attention to getting good arc and rotation. He second one danced on the front rim, but nestled in the Kohl Center net to give Ridge the winning point.

Notes:  Prentice senior Abbie Anderson, the daughter of head coach Don Anderson, scored a game-high 15 points…Prentice recorded 12 offensive rebounds in the first half, but after making it a priority at halftime, River Ridge shut them out on the offensive glass the rest of the game…Three River Ridge players scored in double figures – Jessica Mergen and Megan White with 12 apiece and Mickey Breuer with 11…Mergen finished with a game-high 12 rebounds…The teams combined for 29 turnovers.

Newman dominates on way to another state title game

It was a dominating performance for a team that has dominated virtually all season as Newman Catholic jumped out early and never looked back in a 64-40 win over Black Hawk in a Division 5 state semi-final game.

The Cardinals scored the first six points of the game, took a double-digit lead with 2:15 left in the first half, and put it on cruise control in the second half. Black Hawk continued to battle however and actually won the second half 22-21.

The damage was done before halftime however, as Newman Catholic forced 13 Black Hawk turnovers in racing to a 43-18 edge at the break. Senior Taylor Thomas, a Green Bay recruit, scored 15 points in the first half and finished with a game-high 26 points.

The Warriors came out trying to limit Thomas, face-guarding her with 5-9 freshman Jen Wellnitz, but with a prominent size and experience advantage, Thomas would not be stopped.

It was a frustrating half and game for Wellnitz, who showed flashes of great potential, but finished just 2 of 13 shooting with 7 turnovers, 4 fouls, and a split chin for her troubles.

She wasn’t the only Black Hawk player to struggle however, as the Warriors shot just 25.9% on the game and committed 23 turnovers against Newman’s constant pressure.

Conversely, Newman Catholic was efficient and effective throughout the game, with 13 turnovers and 21 offensive rebounds allowed the lone black marks on an otherwise flawless performance. The Cardinals shot 45.7% from the floor, 38.5% from three, and 81% from the free throw line (including 9 for 9 from Taylor Thomas).

Notes:  With this being the first year for 5 Divisions, many players from this game will enter the record books for a number of categories…Thomas’ 9 for 9 performance from the line would have tied the D4 record for best percentage and set the mark for most free throws made without a miss…Jen Wellnitz led Black Hawk with 9 rebounds…This will be Newman’s fifth state title game appearance since 2002…Newman will face River Ridge in the title game, a team that Black Hawk beat in the first game of the year 55-31.