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Wauzeka-Steuben boys win sectional semifinal

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Head Coach Gary Hines addresses the team Friday morning during homeroom at 9:30 a.m. in response to the WIAA’s decision to cancel the remaining playoff games and the state tournament. (Photo courtesy of Wauzeka-Steuben School District)

Carter Lomas grabs a rebound against Potosi in the sectional semifinal in Belmont Thursday night. (Photo by A.J. Gates, Grant County Herald Independent)

Season cut short due to coronavirus threat

Team’s 

character shines in 

tough situation

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The top seeded Wauzeka-Steuben boys basketball team continued with its outstanding season by defeating second seeded Potosi 53-44 Thursday night in Belmont in a sectional semifinal contest.

The Hornets improved to 22-3 on the season. They were the Ridge and Valley champions for the second straight year with a 14-0 conference record.

Potosi ended its season at 19-7.

Unfortunately, Wauzeka-Steuben’s season came to a premature end because all remaining playoff games and the boys state basketball tournament at the Kohl Center were cancelled due to the threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

If the games had been allowed to continue, Wauzeka-Steuben would have faced second seeded Blair-Taylor (24-2) on Saturday afternoon, March 14 in Onalaska in the sectional final, which would have determined who went to the state tournament in Madison.

Blair-Taylor nipped top seeded Bangor 62-61 in their sectional semifinal Thursday night.

To get to the sectional final, which is the elite eight of Division 5, Wauzeka-Steuben defeated number 16 Weston 46-27, eighth seeded Shullsburg 72-24, fifth seeded Benton 55-36, and second seeded Potosi 53-44.

The decision to cancel the state tournament marks the first time since the tournament began in 1916 that a state tournament was not held.

On March 12, the WIAA was informed that the Kohl Center would not be available for the State Boys Basketball Tournament scheduled for March 19-21. WIAA officials said in a press release they regret the lost opportunity for teams and players that have worked to achieve their goals and the communities that have supported them throughout the year.

“I want the student-athletes and their coaches to know that your school leaders, the WIAA Executive Staff, our committees and the Board of Control have done everything imaginable to try to provide and preserve these opportunities for you,” Executive Director Dave Anderson said. “However, we want and need to be responsible in helping the global and state efforts to stem the tide and spread of this virus.”

Wauzeka-Steuben Athletic Director Mitchell Cernek said the boys basketball team defeated Potosi on Thursday in a physical and emotional game played in a shockingly loud and intense environment. 

“Unfortunately, the current circumstances have deprived our boys the opportunity to conclude their season with any sense of closure,” said Cernek. “Instead of preparing to play on the biggest stage, the boys gathered in the locker room this morning (Friday) for a final team meeting, to attempt to make sense of all that has transpired in the last 24 hours. It was, of course, a very emotional scene, but also necessary for the boys to gather and find a way to deal with this devastating situation together.”

The Hornets were hitting their stride and had been cruising through the playoffs on their march towards state.

“Our guys were peaking at just the right time - top to bottom,” said Head Coach Gary Hines. “Carter (Lomas) was playing the best basketball of his career - coming off a 34-point game against a very physical Potosi defense. Guys stepped up off our bench and all 15 members of the team were pushing each other to reach our potential as a group. To be denied the opportunity to play in the sectional final game with a chance to go to state is agonizing. Many of these kids have not only dreamt about the opportunity to play for a state championship, but put in work for years to make that dream a reality. Our guys are really hurting but we know that we aren’t alone in feeling this way.”

Mitchell Cernek said the school and community are very proud of the team and the fans have shown tremendous support.

“In the midst of the fray, the young men on this basketball team have not stopped impressing me,” said Cernek. “Navigating the difficult task of dividing up 88 tickets fairly (in a matter of hours) before Thursday’s game, tuning out all distractions to actually defeat Potosi, and now coping with the agony of the tournament being canceled - I can’t fathom the emotional swings these teenagers have undergone in the last two days. The fact that all 15 members of the team attended school today (Friday) alone is an amazing testament to their character! I couldn’t be more proud of our student-athletes here at Wauzeka-Steuben and I know they are grateful for your continued support!”

The last time the Wauzeka-Steuben boys went to state was in 2011. 

Cernek said he is still  hopeful the WIAA will permit spring sports to remain scheduled, as they have already proposed.

The winter sports banquet date has not yet been set, and Cernek said the high school will hold off on scheduling that for the time being. He also said, however, “We very much look forward to celebrating both our girls and boys historic basketball seasons when the timing is appropriate.”

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