HARTFORD – The Papermakers edged the Pirates in overtime to win the sectional title and advance to state for the first time since 2019.
Ava Van Vonderen’s 3-pointer for Kimberly as time expired in regulation tied the game at 42-42 and sent it to overtime.
In overtime, the Papermakers got baskets from Kate McGinnis and Emily Urban to keep the game tied at 46-46.
Ella Opie then made one free throw to put Pewaukee ahead 47-46, but Van Vonderen made two free throws with 19.7 seconds remaining to give Kimberly a 48-47 lead.
The Papermakers forced a turnover, but missed two free throws with 7.4 seconds left to keep the lead at one.
Pewaukee brought the ball up the court and Amy Terrian passed to Johnson on the right wing. Johnson drove into the lane but stumbled, lost control of the ball and barely got up a shot as time expired and Kimberly celebrated.
The Papermakers had three players score in double figures, led by McGinnis with 14 points. Van Vonderen added 13 and Urban scored 12.
Pewaukee was led by Johnson with 15 points.
Kimberly improves to 27-1 for the season and will play in the Division 1 state semifinals Friday at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon. Pewaukee finishes with a 25-3 record.
Pewaukee led 38-34 with 1:08 remaining in regulation after two free throws by Amy Terrian.
Urban scored for Kimberly on an offensive rebound, but Johnson added two free throws to give the Pirates a 40-36 lead with 37 seconds to go.
McGinnis drilled a long 3-pointer from the top of the key with 22 seconds remaining to pull Kimberly within one, but Johnson made two more free throws with 14.9 seconds remaining to give Pewaukee a 42-39 lead.
McGinnis came up short with a long 3-point attempt on the ensuing possession, but Kimberly’s Haylie Dulas grabbed the loose ball, passed to Van Vonderen on the wing and she got off a shot from beyond the arc just before the buzzer sounded to tie the game and force overtime.
Kimberly 23 19 6 – 48
Pewaukee 26 16 5 – 47
Kimberly: Urban 12, McGinnis 14, Ebben 3, Dulas 4, Van Vonderen 13, Krueger 2. 3-pt: McGinnis 2, Ebben, Van Vonderen. FT: 10-14. Fouls: 22.
Pewaukee: Johnson 15, Opie 10, Retherford 11, Amy Terrian 5, Anna Terrian 4, Pieper 2. FT: 13-22. Fouls: 19.
MARSHFIELD – The Patriots defeated the Old Abes in double overtime to win the sectional title and advance to the state tournament.
Appleton East, which is now 19-8, has won 13 of its last 14 games. East had defeated Eau Claire Memorial earlier this season, 66-63.
The Patriots led 31-21 early in the second half, but Memorial came back and eventually the game was tied 57-57 at the end of regulation, and then 63-63 after the first overtime.
Appleton East will play in one of the Division 1 semifinals games Friday night at the Resch Center and will be making its fourth appearance at the state tournament. Its last trip was in 2022, when the Patriots lost to Kettle Moraine in the championship game.
Eau Claire Memorial has its season end with a record of 25-3.
SEYMOUR – The Hawks are headed to the state tournament for the second consecutive year and fourth overall following their win over the Chargers.
Xavier, which is 18-10, heads to the state tournament with an 11-game winning streak.
Xavier will play in one of the Division 3 semifinal games Thursday afternoon at the Resch Center.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood lost for the first time this season, ending its season with a 27-1 record.
OCONTO FALLS – The Zephyrs earned their third trip to the WIAA state tournament and first since 2009 with the win over the Lancers.
St. Mary Catholic will play in the Division 4 state semifinals Thursday night at the Resch Center.
St. Mary Catholic was led by Lauren Ripley, who totaled 18 points and made five 3-point baskets. Nolie Anderson and Autumn Crowe added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Gineva Ermis led Manitowoc Lutheran with 12 points. Marissa Mehlhorn scored 10.
St. Mary Catholic 32 33 – 65
Manitowoc Lutheran 28 26 – 54
St. Mary Catholic: Norville 5, Vogel 9, Ripley 18, Crowe 11, Anderson 14, Voss 6, Brenn 2. 3-pt: Norville, Ripley 5, Crowe,Voss 2. FT: 8-20. Fouls: 20.
Manitowoc Lutheran: Krause 8, M. Mehlhorn 10, Ermis 12, L. Mehlhorn 5, Dewane 2, Vandermause 2, Korte 5, Behnke 5, Kiss 5. 3-pt: Ermis 2, L. Mehlhorn, Behnke, Kiss. FT: 9-20. Fouls: 21.
KAUKAUNA – Keegan VanKauwenberg was 5-for-6 at the free throw line in the final two minutes to help the Ghosts secure the regional final win.
VanKauwenberg finished with 22 points to lead Kaukauna. Andrew Jensen added 17 points and Caden Graff scored 13.
Jonah Roehrig made a big 3-pointer with 2:26 remaining in the game to put the Ghosts up 55-48.
Neenah, which led by as many as seven points in the first half and by three at halftime, was led by Roan Koeper with 17 points. Joey Daun added 12 points and Luke Jung scored 10.
Kaukauna improves to 23-3 overall, while Neenah finishes the season with a 16-10 record.
Neenah 33 21 – 54
Kaukauna 30 33 – 63
Neenah: Flees 6, Koeper 17, Jung 10, Schultz 6, Daun 12, Bezares 3. 3-pt: Koeper 2, Jung 2, Schultz 2, Daun 2, Bezares. FT: 5-6. Fouls: 16.
Kaukauna: Graff 13, Jensen 17, Schwalbach 6, Roehrig 5, VanKauwenberg 22. 3-pt: VanKauwenberg 3, Roehrig, Schwalbach, Jensen. FT: 13-16. Fouls: 5.
