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WIAA DIVISION 5
SEMI-FINALS
Friday, March 17
9:05 am
Mc/Donell Central vs Shullsburg
10:45 am (approx)
Columbus Catholic vs Barneveld
Championship game
Saturday, March 18
11:05 a.m.
Winners from Friday
(Note: Only two conferences are featured in this bracket. The Macs and the Dons are from the West and East Cloverbelt while the Miners and Eagles are from the Six Rivers West and East.
McDonnell Central Macs
The Macs are the defending state champions and return four starters from that team. They are 24-3 entering Friday's game with Six Rivers West champion Shullsburg and won the Western Cloverbelt Conference at 11-1.
Their three losses were to Stanley Boyd (80-60), Prescott (53-52) and Marathon (68-61).
The Macs are a big team with leading scorers Grayson Knowlton (16.1) at 6-5 and Hayden Baughman 6-6. Alex Ohde, an occasional starter, is 6-7.
Baughman can also shoot the three pointer, averaging nearly 42% (55 for 132).
Other top performances have been turned in by Austin Amelse who averages 14.6 points per game and 9.6 boards (250 for the season). A fourth player, Noah Hogund (6-0) averages 11.4 points per game. He also averages almost 43% from beyond the arc (36 for 84).
Archie Sherbinow (218-125, 14 seasons) says the Macs are playing their best basketball of the season right now.
"We use our size and athleticism," he said. "We attack from inside out and pressure the ball in the passing lanes on defense. We are a high energy defensive team."
A mid-season loss to Marathon with Grayson sidelined by injury was a wake-up call for the Macs.
"Reality set in that this could end at anytime," Sherbinow said. "We started to pay more attention to the little things and do a better job sharing the basektball."
McDonell Central has a school enrollment of 165. Assistant coaches are Andrew Ruf, Mitch Jacobson, Dan Schley and Bee Ruf.
Captains are Ohde, Knowlton and Hoglund.
MACS ROSTER
No. Name Position Gr. Ht.
1 Grayson Knowlton F 12 6-5
2 Cory Hoglund G 10 6-0
3 Austin Amelse G 12 5-10
4 Alex Ohde F 12 6-7
5 Jaebin Bourget G 10 5-9
10 Ryan Sorensen F 12 5-10
11 Joey Huffcutt G 11 6-0
12 Wesley Benish G 12 5-9
14 Joe Schwetz F 11 6-3
21 Hayden Baughman F 11 6-6
23 Nathan Hoglund G 12 6-0
25 Eion Kressin F 9 6-4
32 Jordan Moulton G 12 6-0
33 Charlie Bleskachek F 10 6-2
42 John Francis F 11 6-4
SHULLSBURG MINERS
Shullsburg coach Mark Lierman (322-272, 26 years) feels the Miners may have the size to compete with the giagantic Macs but adds teams have to look out for Shullsburg's hidden quickness.
The Miners have size in the post in 6-9, 250 pound Joey Meyer who will attend Division 2 University of Minnesota-Crookston and join their basketball program. Meyer averages 14.1 points per game and 5.2 rebounds.
Hunter Matye (6-5) is the leading scorer with 357 points (14.3) and also leads in rebounds with 187 (7.5).
Noah Wand (6-4) also scores in double figures at 11.1 and has 110 rebounds for a 4.4 per game average.
Lance Lierman, son of the coach, stands 6-3 and is the defender assigned to the other team's leading scorer.
Nathan Wedige (5-8) rounds out the starting line-up.
Lierman says Matye, an Edgewood College recruit, is silky smooth and can pull up and shoot from anywhere.
Wand adds inside depth as he can post up or step out and score.
"The atmosphere in our commuity is awesome," Lierman said. "The last time Shullsburg went to state was 1991 when I was assisting Bob Boettcher, who had a son on the team. Now he is assisting me and helping my son."
Also assisting is Aaron Duecker.
"This is a big thing for these kids," Lierman said. "Basketball is big in this area with Darlington, Barneveld and us all reaching state. These kids have seen each other in the SWBL since fourth grade. That is pretty cool."
"We are happy to be at the state tournament but are not settling for that," Lierman added. "We plan to go out there and play loose like we have all season."
The Miners are 25-2 on the season with their only two losses to state tournament teams Barneveld and Darlington.
Barneveld beat the Miners in the Six Rivers Crossover which the Golden Eagles hosted.
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"Ever been to the Eagles Nest?" Lierman asked. "We were shell shocked and never really got off the bus. We would like a return chance against them."
That would suit both teams as if the Miners meet the Eagles it will be in the state championship game Saturday.
"We took things away from both losses that has made us a better team," Lierman said.
Shullsburg's enrollment is 113.
Captains are Lierman, Matye, Wand and Meyer.
MINERS ROSTER
No. Name Position Gr. Ht.
3 Lance Lierman G/F 12 6-3
4 Alex Wand F 10 6-3
5 Hunter Matye G/F 12 6-5
10 Jeremiah Bailey F 12 6-4
11 Jacob Berendes G 10 5-10
12 Noah Wand G/F 12 6-4
15 Griffin Wiegel G 10 5-10
20 Nathan Wedige G 12 5-8
22 Joseph Meyer F/C 12 6-9
23 Joseph Turpin G/F 10 6-0
30 Cameron Doyle G 12 6-3
33 Oscar Ortiz G/F 10 5-10
35 Oren Charles F 10 5-11
40 Isaac Hoppman F 10 6-2
44 William Martin C 12 6-2
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC DONS
The Dons played previously as Marshfield Columbus. They finished the season 25-2 with losses to Loyal and fellow bracket challenger McDonnell Central.
The Dons won the Cloverbelt East at 15-1.
The Dons are not a big team but they can shoot it. Their percentage from two point range is nearly 50% and nearly 40% from beyond the arc.
Hunter Schultz, a 5-11 senior guard, averages 24.4 points per game with a total of 463. Tyler Fuerlinger, a 6-2 seniors, has 53 totals points and an average of 23.3. He is also the leading rebounder with 147 nearly seven per game.
Nick Malovrh, a 5-10 junior, also averages in double figures with a 13.2 mark.
Head coach Joe Konieczny (248-94, 14 years) says the Dons are not gifted with size but are very quick.
"We have good ball handlers and shooters," he said, noting they have 618 three pointers for the season. "We want to get up and down the court."
Look for the Dons to employ a full court defense, mixing in some man to man and zone depending on what combination is on the floor.
Schultz was available for only 19 games this season as he was injured for a handful of contests.
"We had some underclassmen fill in," the coach said.
He added they played neck and neck with McDonnell Central before their size took over.
He feels the Dons are prepared for the tournament test.
"We played a very tough non-conference schedule to get ready," he said. "We are excited to be here."
Enrollment is 138 and assistants include Marty Draxler, Bryan Devries and Perry Hartl.
Captains are Schultz, Fuerlinger, Schultz and Ryan Dieringer.
DONS ROSTER
No. Name Position Gr. Ht.
2 Jarred Mandel G 10 6-2
5 Charles Payant G 12 6-0
10 Ryan Dieringer G 12 5-9
11 Peyton Nystrom G 11 5-9
13 Matt Olson G 11 5-9
21 Nick Malovrh G 11 5-10
23 Bryce Fuerlinger G 10 6-0
24 Hunter Schultz G 12 5-11
31 Nick Hutchison G 11 6-0
33 Noah Taylor G 10 6-0
34 Ethan Meece F 10 6-1
35 Tyler Fuerlinger G 12 6-2
41 Noah Hansen F 11 6-3
44 Evan Dieringer G 10 6-0
54 Karak Bushman F 11 6-0
BARNEVELD EAGLES
When Jim Myers switched from the girls program he successfully guided to 699 wins over 38 seasons it may have been thought his run to the WIAA state tournament was over. The Golden Eagles boys team had never appeared in the state venue.
Wrong.
Myers guided the Eagles to their first ever boys state tourney berth in 2016 and a year later he has them here again.
The Eagles are 24-3 on the season with their three losses to SWC champion Prairie du Chien, SWAL and undefeated state D4 entrant Darlington along with Six Rivers East rival Black Hawk.
Myers is 745-145 in his 40 years coaching the girls and then the boys.
"We have some size, some length and four starters back from last year," Myers said.
Starters back are Matthew Myers (9.6 ppg, 60 rebonds, 61 steals, 100 assists) who is the point guard and the coach's son, Kauy Fargo (7.7 ppg, 90 rebounds, 42 assits, 61 steals),
(continued from previous page)
"Ever been to the Eagles Nest?" Lierman asked. "We were shell shocked and never really got off the bus. We would like a return chance against them."
That would suit both teams as if the Miners meet the Eagles it will be in the state championship game Saturday.
"We took things away from both losses that has made us a better team," Lierman said.
Shullsburg's enrollment is 113.
Captains are Lierman, Matye, Wand and Meyer.
MINERS ROSTER
No. Name Position Gr. Ht.
3 Lance Lierman G/F 12 6-3
4 Alex Wand F 10 6-3
5 Hunter Matye G/F 12 6-5
10 Jeremiah Bailey F 12 6-4
11 Jacob Berendes G 10 5-10
12 Noah Wand G/F 12 6-4
15 Griffin Wiegel G 10 5-10
20 Nathan Wedige G 12 5-8
22 Joseph Meyer F/C 12 6-9
23 Joseph Turpin G/F 10 6-0
30 Cameron Doyle G 12 6-3
33 Oscar Ortiz G/F 10 5-10
35 Oren Charles F 10 5-11
40 Isaac Hoppman F 10 6-2
44 William Martin C 12 6-2
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC DONS
The Dons played previously as Marshfield Columbus. They finished the season 25-2 with losses to Loyal and fellow bracket challenger McDonnell Central.
The Dons won the Cloverbelt East at 15-1.
The Dons are not a big team but they can shoot it. Their percentage from two point range is nearly 50% and nearly 40% from beyond the arc.
Hunter Schultz, a 5-11 senior guard, averages 24.4 points per game with a total of 463. Tyler Fuerlinger, a 6-2 seniors, has 53 totals points and an average of 23.3. He is also the leading rebounder with 147 nearly seven per game.
Nick Malovrh, a 5-10 junior, also averages in double figures with a 13.2 mark.
Head coach Joe Konieczny (248-94, 14 years) says the Dons are not gifted with size but are very quick.
"We have good ball handlers and shooters," he said, noting they have 618 three pointers for the season. "We want to get up and down the court."
Look for the Dons to employ a full court defense, mixing in some man to man and zone depending on what combination is on the floor.
Schultz was available for only 19 games this season as he was injured for a handful of contests.
"We had some underclassmen fill in," the coach said.
He added they played neck and neck with McDonnell Central before their size took over.
He feels the Dons are prepared for the tournament test.
"We played a very tough non-conference schedule to get ready," he said. "We are excited to be here."
Enrollment is 138 and assistants include Marty Draxler, Bryan Devries and Perry Hartl.
Captains are Schultz, Fuerlinger, Schultz and Ryan Dieringer.
DONS ROSTER
No. Name Position Gr. Ht.
2 Jarred Mandel G 10 6-2
5 Charles Payant G 12 6-0
10 Ryan Dieringer G 12 5-9
11 Peyton Nystrom G 11 5-9
13 Matt Olson G 11 5-9
21 Nick Malovrh G 11 5-10
23 Bryce Fuerlinger G 10 6-0
24 Hunter Schultz G 12 5-11
31 Nick Hutchison G 11 6-0
33 Noah Taylor G 10 6-0
34 Ethan Meece F 10 6-1
35 Tyler Fuerlinger G 12 6-2
41 Noah Hansen F 11 6-3
44 Evan Dieringer G 10 6-0
54 Karak Bushman F 11 6-0
BARNEVELD EAGLES
When Jim Myers switched from the girls program he successfully guided to 699 wins over 38 seasons it may have been thought his run to the WIAA state tournament was over. The Golden Eagles boys team had never appeared in the state venue.
Wrong.
Myers guided the Eagles to their first ever boys state tourney berth in 2016 and a year later he has them here again.
The Eagles are 24-3 on the season with their three losses to SWC champion Prairie du Chien, SWAL and undefeated state D4 entrant Darlington along with Six Rivers East rival Black Hawk.
Myers is 745-145 in his 40 years coaching the girls and then the boys.
"We have some size, some length and four starters back from last year," Myers said.
Starters back are Matthew Myers (9.6 ppg, 60 rebonds, 61 steals, 100 assists) who is the point guard and the coach's son, Kauy Fargo (7.7 ppg, 90 rebounds, 42 assits, 61 steals),
Mike Zouski (11.8 ppg, 124 rebounds, 58 steals), and Lucas Evans (6.7 ppg, 143 rebounds, 26 blocks). They are joined by 6-4 sophomore Malcolm Reed who averages 7.6 ppg, has 92 rebounds, 49 steals and 40 assists).
Myers uses his deep bench as the Eagles work very hard on the defensive end.
"I enjoy that part of the game," Myers says about the defense. "The boys buy into it and it also helps create some of our offense."
Last year's appearence resulted in a two point loss to Catholic Memorial.
"We have grown since then," Myers said. "We are able to do more than what we did at this time last year."
The Eagles sent out a signal that they are at the top of their game with a 20 point win in the Sectional Finals over ranked Hilbert.
"We played one of our better games at the right time," Myers said. "We want to be playing our best basketball right now and see what we can do with it."
Barneveld's enrollment is 117. Assistant coaches are Tyler Sullivan, Trent Sullivan and Dan Doescher,
Captains are Matthew Myers, Lucas Evans, Mike Zouski, Samuel Shatrawka and Trey Laube.
EAGLES ROSTER
No. Name Position Gr. Ht.
1 Matthew Myers G 12 6-0
4 Kauy Fargo G 11 6-1
10 Trey Laube G 12 6-2
12 Lucas Evans C 12 6-5
14 Malcolm Reed F 10 6-4
20 Mike Zouski G 12 6-2
22 Jacob Slaney C 11 6-3
24 Jonas Ignatius F 11 6-1
30 Dayne Evans G 10 6-0
32 Bryce Vacha G 11 5-6
34 Samuel Shatrawka F 12 6-1
52 Jacob Roberts F 11 6-1