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WSN15: Boys Basketball Top Teams #9 -- 2012 Onalaska Hilltoppers

03/01/2018, 11:30am CST
By Mark Miller

The WSN15 series will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of WisSports.net by looking back at the top players, teams, and moments of the past 15 years (2003-2017). 

The WSN15 boys' basketball series continues with the Top 15 Teams of the WSN Era.

The efficiency with which Onalaska defeated opponents during the 2011-12 high school basketball season was impressive, to say the least. 

Coach Craig Kowal parlayed rapid ball movement and the impressive shooting skills of junior Matt Thomas (6-4), senior Nick Arenz (6-8), senior Ben Socha (6-1), junior Clint Rihn (6-0) and senior Zach Schmidt (6-3) into a 25-1 record and the title in the Mississippi Valley Conference heading into the 2012 WIAA State Tournament.

After holding off Milwaukee Pius XI 38-32 in the state semifinals, Onalaska systemically conquered Kaukauna in the Division 2 title game. Thomas hit a three-point shot just prior to the halftime horn sounding to give the Hilltoppers a 29-16 lead and that margin only grew larger in the second half. 

Onalaska eventually posted a 55-38 victory over the Ghosts behind 52 percent shooting from the field, 50 percent shooting from three-point range (7 of 14) and 72 percent shooting from the foul line. 

Thomas, who on to a stellar four-year collegiate career at Iowa State, finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and three assists as Onalaska capped its memorable 27-1 season with the school's third state championship after winning the Class A title in 1988 and the Division 2 crown in 1992 under the late John Shelton.

Arenz, who went on to play college basketball at both Green Bay and Winona State, contributed nine points while Rihn had six points and three rebounds, and Socha added seven points and three rebounds.

Onalaska shot 53 percent from the field as a team in 2011-12 with Thomas making 57 percent of his shots, including 47 percent (59 of 126) from three-point range.

Arenz made 58 percent of his field goal attempts while Socha connected on 53 percent of his tries and Rihn made 48 percent of his shots. Schmidt was even better, making 62 percent of his field goal attempts. 

In addition to playing with a high level of precision on offense, Onalaska also boasted a very stingy defense.

The Hilltoppers held 17 opponents to under 40 points and allowed a meager 38.6 ppg over the course of the 28 games they played. 

For the latest and most up to date boys' basketball news and recruiting information, follow Mark on Twitter @wisbbyearbook. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Mark at wbnews@yahoo.com.

Tag(s): News Archive  BBB News  Mark Miller  WSN15