GREEN BAY, WI – All 5 Divisions had a winner crowned on Saturday at the Resch Center for the 50th anniversary of the WIAA Girls State Basketball Tournament.
Division 5
Pacelli 70, Eleva-Strum 40
Second-seeded Pacelli capped off a dominant run to the Division 5 state championship with a commanding 70-40 victory over top-seeded Eleva-Strum in a matchup of the Cardinals.
Pacelli grabbed an early 4-3 lead midway through the first half and never looked back, building a 35-25 advantage by halftime. A 13-point run in the second half helped Pacelli stretch the lead to 52-30 and eventually as many as 32 points.
Jaedyn Zdroik powered the effort with a triple-double of 20 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, tying the Division 5 record for rebounds while setting the division mark for assists. Ella Van Order added 19 points and Haylee Cisewski scored 14 as Pacelli captured its first state championship in the school’s first-ever trip to the state tournament.
Division 4
Neillsville 43, Albany/Monticello 40
Top-seeded Neillsville held off a late rally from third-seeded Albany/Monticello to claim the Division 4 state championship with a 43-40 victory.
The Warriors appeared in control late, but the Space Stallions mounted a comeback as Heidi Olson hit a three-pointer and Annie Olson followed with another triple to cut the deficit to one with 30 seconds remaining.
Neillsville answered in the closing moments when Madi Davel came up with a steal and knocked down two free throws to seal the win. Eden Mang led the Warriors with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Braelyn Anding added 10 points and Tessa Warren grabbed a game-high 14 boards.
The championship marks Neillsville’s second state title in its seventh state tournament appearance, while Albany/Monticello finishes runner-up in just its second trip to state as a co-op program.
Division 3
Oostburg 64, Wisconsin Dells 37
Top-seeded Oostburg completed a perfect season by defeating second-seeded Wisconsin Dells 64-37 to capture its second straight Division 3 state championship.
The Lady Dutch jumped out quickly, scoring the first eight points of the game and eventually building a 42-21 halftime lead they would never relinquish.
Wisconsin Dells briefly cut the margin to a basket early, but Oostburg controlled the rest of the game and never allowed the Chiefs closer than 18 points in the second half. Ady Ketterhagen led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds, while sisters Kinsley and Riley Ketterhagen added 14 and 10 points respectively.
The victory gives Oostburg its fifth state championship in the program’s 12th state tournament appearance, while Wisconsin Dells finishes runner-up in just its second trip to state.
Division 2
Whitefish Bay 64, Beaver Dam 63
Second-seeded Whitefish Bay captured the Division 2 state championship with a dramatic 64-63 win over fourth-seeded Beaver Dam.
The Blue Dukes built momentum late in the first half and carried a 38-30 lead into the break before opening the second half with a 9-0 run. Beaver Dam responded with a strong 22-4 run to take a 52-51 lead midway through the second half and eventually led by three with just over a minute remaining.
Sage Miskel delivered in the closing moments, scoring twice in the paint to give Whitefish Bay the narrow victory. Miskel finished with 18 points to lead the Blue Dukes, who claimed their first state championship in eight tournament appearances.
Division 1
Arrowhead 90, Wauwatosa East 84 (2OT)
Second-seeded Arrowhead outlasted top-seeded Wauwatosa East in a thrilling Division 1 championship game, defeating the Red Raiders 80-74 in double overtime.
Wauwatosa East controlled much of the contest before Ellie Duprey delivered a dramatic four-point play with eight seconds left in regulation to force overtime. The teams remained deadlocked after the first extra period, setting up a decisive second overtime.
Natalie Kussow led the Warhawks with a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 34 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to help seal the victory. The win gives Arrowhead its fourth state championship and second title in the past three seasons.
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