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Newman Catholic 55, River Ridge 28 (Box Score)

Newman Catholic, the overwhelming favorite to win the inaugural Division 5 state championship this season, took care of business by recording a 55-28 victory over River Ridge Friday. It was the second straight state title for the Fighting Cardinals, who were champions in Division 4 last season.

Four players—all seniors—tallied double-figure scores for Newman, led by 6-0 forward and Green Bay commit Taylor Thomas’ game-high16 points. Guard Megan Connolly scored 12 points, while forwards Lauren Tubbs and Erica Hartke each added 10.

“That’s been our trademark,” Weinkauf said. “We’ve had 12 or 13 different leading scorers this season. When people take something away from us we’ve got other options.”

Newman’s pressure defense was once again the tale of the game, causing 24 turnovers compared to just 25 field goal attempts for River Ridge. That pressure, which has been Newman’s namesake the past two seasons, is compliments of former Flambeau coach Ted Alberson, head coach Tom Weinkauf said. Alberson won three consecutive titles from 2006-08, defeating Newman in the 2006 championship and 2007 Division 4 semifinal.

“That was the most physical and intense pressure we’ve seen all year,” River Ridge coach Caron Townsend said.

“We knew we’d get 32 minutes of full-court pressure so we were ready for it,” River Ridge senior guard Megan White, who handled much of the ball-handling duties in the game, said. “But when you’re looking at 6-foot arms all game it was frustrating.”

On the occasion that River Ridge broke the press successfully, it actually held its own in the half-court set, shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor in the first half. The Wolves worked the high-low to near-perfection with post players Traci Kirschbaum and Jessica Mergen—who had a sizeable strength advantage down low.

Yet with the score within just a few possessions, Mergen picked up her second foul at the 5:48 mark of the first quarter, sending her to the sidelines for the rest of the quarter. Newman then went on a 14-7 run the rest of the quarter to blow open the game.

“That was a big key,” Townsend said. “She and Traci were running the high-low well and without [Mergen’s] size and physical presence inside it was huge. When we lose one of them, lots of things don’t happen.”
 
Newman kept up its press for much of the game before finally taking its foot off the gas offensively a bit midway through the third quarter. The end result showed Weinkauf securing his second straight state title and the first in Division 5 history.

“We ended it the best way we could have,” Thomas said.

“This is a very special group of girls,” Weinkauf said. “I’d go to war with these kids any day of the week.”