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

Six stellar teams from Roncalli High School in Manitowoc earned trips to the WIAA State Tournament between 2005 and 2017.

All six of those teams suffered losses in state semifinal games played at the Kohl Center in Madison. Three of the losses were in excruciating fashion as the Jets dropped all three of those contests by five points or less.

Roncalli turned the tables Thursday night in a Division 4 state semifinal match-up with Pardeeville.

The Jets were hitting shots early and then stayed hot throughout the contest, expanding a 40-24 halftime lead into a convincing 82-48 victory, their first in their 18-year history as a member of the WIAA.

Roncalli coach Joe Garceau said afterward in the media room the victory means a lot to the Roncalli community, its past coaches and its past players.

"This win means a lot to everybody who went before us," said Garceau, now in his third year as Roncalli's head coach after serving an assistant under former coach Joe Rux. "For Coach Rux and all of our former players, this is important. They laid the foundation for us to be able to be in this position."

Roncalli (22-5) will play for its first Gold Ball on Saturday against Marathon (23-4) at 12:45 p.m. Saturday in the Division 4 title game.

Junior guard Chombi Lambert (5-9) made six-of-eight shots from three-point range and scored 32 points to lead the Jets, who set a WIAA Division 4 record for most three-point baskets made in a game by making 13 of 22 attempts (59 percent) from outside the arc.

Junior Matt LeVene (6-1) also had a strong game for the Jets, scoring 15 points, grabbing six rebounds and handing out five assists.

Roncalli's hot shooting was complimented by the Jets' aggressive man-to-man defense. Roncalli forced 17 turnovers and outscored the Bulldogs 28-3 in points off of turnovers.

"We talked a lot about defense, defense, defense," Garceau said. "I thought at times we did well on that end of the floor."

Pardeeville, which finished 23-4, was hindered by a high ankle injury sustained by senior point guard Nicholas Henke (6-0) with about nine minutes left in the first half. Henke was out for most of the remaining portion of the first half, but did return in the second half to score five points.

"I got the ball at the top of the key, went to my left and went up for a shot and landed on Chombi's foot," Henke said. "The trainer thinks it might be a high ankle sprain. I was about 50 to 60 percent in the second half. I thought I'd be able to help the team and I think  I did. But it breaks my heart that I couldn't be out there with my teammates during the first half after I got hurt. That is what hurts the most."

Pardeeville coach Chris Lindert felt the Jets' defense took the Bulldogs too far away from the basket and they were never able to get into sync on that end of the floor.

"Roncalli just really took it to us today," Lindert said. "We could never get into our offense and then they shot the lights out. Their defensive pressure forced us so far away from the basket. Not having Nick at 100 percent hurt us."

Unbeaten Clear Lake trailed by six points at halftime of its WIAA Division 4 State Tournament semifinal game against Marathon Thursday.

The Warriors then rattled off five straight points to start the second half, pulling within 28-27 of the Red Raiders.

It was all downhill after that, though, as Marathon used its superior physical strength to outscore Clear Lake 33-11 the rest of the way en route to a 61-38 triumph.

Clear Lake was the last unbeaten team left in the state, and the Warriors end their historic season with a 25-1 mark.

Rugged senior forward Nathan Stoffel (6-5) led the way for Marathon, which improved to 23-4 under coach Adam Jacobson. Stoffel missed just three shots in the game and scored 18 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and handing out three assists.

Physical junior forward Carter Hanke (6-3) contributed 18 points and five rebounds as Marathon posted a commanding 50-20 advantage in points in the paint.

"It was a physical game and the Marathon bigs used their strength and weight inside to score on us," Clear Lake Jason Sargent said. "Then we got out of rhythm on offense and forced some things. Credit Marathon for making that happen."

Marathon finished with 15 offensive rebounds and had just eight turnovers while shooting 49 percent from the floor.

"We've talked all during our tournament run that it isn't a must-win game, but a must-execute game," Jacobson said. "I thought we executed about as well as we have all year during the second half tonight."

Marathon's defenders shut down Clear Lake top scorer Bailey Blanchard (6-4), who scored 13 points in the first half but just two in the second 18 minutes.

"They did a good job of fronting me and then doubling down in the post when I got the ball," Blanchard said. "When I would drive to the basket, they did a good job of pinching. They also did a good job of not letting me get open on the three-point line."

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 by clicking here.