Hornets top Comets in first round, lose title to Vikings

Junior Emma Kowalczyk attempted a three-pointer on her home court Feb. 25, as Cadott hosted Colfax in the Regional championship game. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

With their stellar regular season record and a No. 2 seeding heading into the WIAA playoffs, the Cadott girls basketball program played host to Regional action.

Feb. 24 vs. Cameron Regional (W 65-42)

A bye gave the Hornets some extra time to scout out the first round competition in No. 7 Cameron, which paid off.

“We started strong and the girls executed great,” said coach Dave Hazuga.

Cadott jumped out to an early lead, taking a 19-point lead into halftime. The Comets stepped up the scoring in the second half of the game, however, but with the deficit from the first half, they couldn’t overcome Cadott.

The Hornets took the game, 65-42, advancing them to the second round of Regionals.

Senior Lauryn Goettl came up big for her team, notching 26 points, followed by junior Emma Kowalczyk, with 14. Senior Elly Eiler was right behind, with 13, and senior Laken Ryan shot a pair of threes for 6 points.

Sophomore Tarynn Donahue also connected on a threepointer, while freshman Taylor Hager chipped in with 2 points and senior Eva Enestvedt added a point off a free throw.

“Everyone contributed and it was a big win,” said Hazuga.

Feb. 25 vs. Colfax Second Regional (L 56-35)

The next night, Cadott had a moment of de ja vu, as No. 3 Colfax came to town – the same team who defeated them in last year’s Regional championship game.

“Getting to, and playing in, [the] Regional semifinal game was a hard-fought, well-deserved accomplishment for our Hornets,” said Hazuga.

It was difficult for Cadott the get any shots to fall, as the rim wasn’t their friend and on the opposite side of the court, the Vikings had some hot hands. By the break, Cadott was down by 12 points, but weren’t out of the game, making several comebacks to close the score in the second half.

In the end, time was not on the side of the Hornets, and the match and the title went to Colfax yet again, 56-35.

“We did some good things and our girls play with a lot of pride,” said Hazuga.

Goettl led for her team, with 17 points, while Ryan dealt three shots from beyond the arc for 9 points, and Eiler came away with 7 points and Kowalczyk had 2.

Although the playoff run ended sooner than Hazuga would have liked, his senior-laden squad of Goettl, Eiler, Ryan, Enestvedt and Morgan Moldrem, accomplished many feats on the court, that won’t soon be forgotten.

“It’s been a great year,” said Hazuga.