Cedarburg 73, Milwaukee Washington 70 (2 OT)
La Crosse Central 78, Waunakee 56
Cedarburg outlasted Milwaukee Washington in two overtimes to post a 73-70 win in its Division 2 semifinal of the State Boys Basketball Friday afternoon at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
The Bulldogs built a double-digit lead in the first half, leading 40-30 at the half. They shot a torrid 59 percent from the field and converted nine Purgolders’turnovers into 15 points. John Diener fueled the Cedarburg attack with 26 of his game-high 46 points in the period. The 46 points sets an all-division State Tournament scoring mark, eclipsing the 45 scored by Brian Butch in 2003.
Cedarburg’s Jordan Johnson missed from short range to put the Bulldogs in position to win at the end of regulation, but responded in the second overtime with a three-pointer to break a 68-68 tie with 31 seconds remaining. In addition his two free throws with one second remaining clinched the victory.
Diener’s performance overcame Milwaukee Washington’s presence inside the lane. The Purgolders outscored the Bulldogs 38-14 in the paint and possessed a 46-25 rebound advantage, including 20 offensive boards that produced 25 second-chance points.
Diener also set a Division 2 record for field goals made with 16, including five three-pointers. Johnson scored 17 points and handed out a team-high three assists. Ellis Tyree paced the Purgolders with 23 points before fouling out in the first overtime. Jalen Stephen-Holmes added 15 points to with his game-high 13 rebounds. Jordan Dinsmore also scored in double figures with 13 points.
This was Cedarburg’s first win in three State Tournament appearances. Milwaukee Washington ends its season in the State Tournament for the 19th time.
La Crosse Central (25-2) returns to the final for the first time since 1979 by virtue of a convincing 78-56 win over Waunakee in the Division 2 semifinals of the State Boys Basketball Tournament Friday afternoon at the Kohl Center.
The game was tied at 13-13 when the Red Raiders began instilling their will. They went on a 10-0 run over a two-minute span to open a double-digit lead. Johnny Davis hit a jumper just before the horn to give La Crosse Central 36-22 advantage at the break.
The Warriors could get no closer than 11 points in the second half. The Red Raiders led by as many as 24 points to cruise to the victory.
La Crosse Central shot 51 percent from the field in the game, compared to the Warriors’ 33 percent, which included converting only 3-of-17 shots inside the three-point arc in the first half. The Red Raiders also enjoyed a considerable advantage in the paint, outscoring the Warriors 40-20 in the lane and outrebounding them 43-30 for the game.
Kobe King led all scorers with 28 points for the Red Raiders. He was joined in double figures by Bailey Kale with 11, and Isaiah Dahman and Jordan Davis with 10 points apiece. Waunakee was led by Mitch Listau with 16 points. Tyler Ronk and Mason Steffan also notched double figures in scoring with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
La Crosse Central is in pursuit of its second State title. Its only other championship came in 1925. Waunakee (24-3) ends its season at the State Tournament for the third time.