Appleton North, First Appleton School Girls State Champion
Appleton North was one of two teams to complete and undefeated season, and claimed their first ever State Championship with a 49-34 win over De Pere in an all-area Division 1 State Championship Game. The clash of the Conference champions brought in a huge crowd to the Resch Center Saturday.
In the semifinals, De Pere edged Middleton in overtime 49-47. Appleton North made a statement with a 75-52 win over previously unbeaten Milwaukee King.
Appleton North took the early 10-0 lead. De Pere, who prided themselves on defense all year, scored their first five points on defensive turnovers, giving the Lightening all they could handle in the first half, and trailed North 20-16 at intermission.
FRCC Defensive Player of Year, Olivia DeCleene suffered an injury when she ran into a table in the first half. The De Pere Senior returned from the locker room on crutches, and did not take the floor until the final four seconds of the game in a celebratory moment. The Lightening took advantage of the Red Birds not being full strength and outscored De Pere 29-18 in the second half. North was led by Paige Schabo with 16 and Kari Brekke with 13. De Pere was led by Rachel Kerkhoff with 11 points.
Appleton North was the only team from an area conference to win a State title on Championship Saturday.
STATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
DIVISION 1-Appleton North 49, De Pere 34
DIVISION 2-Beaver Dam 52. Cudhay 33
DIVISION 3-Edgewood 51, Martin Luther 30
DIVISION 4-Howards Grove 44, Aquinas 43
DIVISION 5-Loyal 74, Milwaukee Academy of Science 61
All State Champions are 1st Time Champions In Program History. Beaver Dam and Appleton North finished the season undefeated.