‘Jays win regional crown
Athens going to sectionals in Eau Claire
By Casey Krautkramer
Senior guard Cooper Diedrich scored a team-high 26 points and 10 rebounds, in helping lead the Athens varsity boys basketball team to a 45-34 WIAA Division 5 home regional championship win against Chippewa Falls McDonell on Saturday night.
Athens only led, 15-11, against the Macks at halftime but then erupted to score 34 points in the second half to gain the win. Athens, 21-6, advances to play against Turtle Lake, 21-6, in a WIAA Division 5 sectional semifinal at 7 p.m. this Thursday, March 10, at Eau Claire North High School.
The winner between Athens and Turtle Lake will play the winner of the other WIAA Division 5 sectional between Hurley, 22-4, and Prentice, 16-10, in the sectional championship this Saturday, March 12, at 7 p.m. in Amery. No Athens boys basketball team has ever made it to the state tournament in school history.
Diedrich also led the Bluejays with 10 rebounds and junior center Aiden Janke added seven in the regional finals victory against the Macks. Junior guard Connor Sheahan and Diedrich paced the squad with two steals each. Janke had a solid overall game with eight points and seven rebounds.
Athens’ four senior players Andrew Frick, Kody Lepak, Evan Guralski and Diedrich played the final home game of their careers on Saturday night. Following the game, players had their pictures taken with their parents. Deb and Dean Frick are the parents of Andrew Frick, Danielle and Craig Diedrich of Cooper Diedrich, Tracy and Jason Lepak of Kody Lepak and Carrie and Shane Guralski of Evan Guralski.
Regional semifinal win
Athens defeated Bruce, 73-57, in a WIAA Division 5 home regional semifinal on Friday.
Senior Kody Lepak led the Bluejays with 21 points while Diedrich contributed 20, Sheahan 17 and Janke 12 against the Red Raiders.
Janke paced Athens with 12 rebounds and Sheahan added seven. Janke led the team with five assists while Diedrich had four and Guralski three. Diedrich paced the Bluejays with five steals and Sheahan added two.
Athens shot 55 percent on 29 of 52 shooting from the floor against Bruce.
