RIB LAKE 76, FLAMBEAU 68 - Redmen tested by Flambeau in challenging regional semifinal

RIB LAKE 76, FLAMBEAU 68

There were some tense moments for the Rib Lake faithful Friday, but back-toback 3-pointers from Talon Scheithauer midway through the second half finally swung things in the Redmen’s favor for good in a hard-fought 76-68 WIAA Division 5 regional semifinal win over Flambeau.

The junior-dominated and fifth-seeded Falcons (18-7) came into Rib Lake showing little fear, playing physically, aggressively and crashing the offensive boards. They led for a good chunk of the first half and led by as many as five in the second half, before Scheithauer’s 3s sparked a 17-1 run that turned a 48-45 deficit into a 62-49 lead that sent the fourth-seeded Redmen to Saturday’s regional final, which they won 71-50 at one-seed Mellen.

“Flambeau was a dogfight,” Rib Lake head coach Todd Henderson said. “I thought they played a really good game. They had guys all over making shots. They hustled and worked hard and that battle really prepared us for (Saturday). It showed us that we need to be physical and adjust to how the officials are calling the game.”

“The first half they were 50% from 3,” Scheithauer said. “So that always helps you. We knew we did not play very good in the first half and to still be even 30-30 at half was kind of a blessing for us.”

An offensive rebound led to a 3-pointer for Flambeau’s Sully Reich that broke a 1515 tie with 7:44 left in the first half. The Falcons got a 3-pointer from their lone senior, Eli Hruby, that put them up 23-17 and another triple from Oliver Taylor that found its way through the rim to make it 26-19 before the Redmen clawed their way back to tie it at the half. Ethan Cook scored off a curl cut and assist from Jed Henderson, Blake Henderson knocked down a 3-point shot, Cook scored again off a Seth Borchardt assist, Blake Henderson drove and dished to Borchardt for two and those two reversed roles on the tying basket with 46 seconds left.

But Flambeau came out hot again after the break, getting a Dominic Kopacz 3pointer and two scores from Isaac Brown to lead 37-32.

The Redmen worked their way back to even at 41-41 and 43-43, but a Brown basket and Hruby’s offensive rebound and turnaround bank shot made it 48-45 with 12:25 left.

Borchardt sank two free throws seven seconds later to unknowingly start the game’s big momentum swing. Fifty seconds after that, Scheithauer hit bomb number one from the right wing and, after a defensive stop, bomb number two from the top of the key.

Jed Henderson took over for a stretch, getting three inside scores while on his way to a game-high 25 points. He added 10 rebounds to complete a double-double and added three blocked shots, four assists and two steals. He was 10 of 12 from the field.

Rib Lake made only five of 16 free throws, adding to its first-half troubles. The Redmen solidified that a bit after halftime, making 19 of 26 to eventually put the game away. Flambeau didn’t quit, getting as close as 64-58 with 2:13 when Hruby got a steal, got fouled and made one of two free throws. Scheithauer and Borchardt handled the ball and free throw shooting from there, making 12 of 16.

Borchardt and Scheithauer finished with 18 points apiece. Borchardt had six assists. Scheithauer had four steals and three assists.

Blake Henderson had eight points, six rebounds, three assists and four blocked shots. Ethan Cook had six points and three rebounds for Rib Lake. Slade Scheithauer had a free throw and five rebounds, four on the defensive end.

Hruby led Flambeau with 18 points, five rebounds and four steals. Brown scored 16 points and grabbed six boards. Kopacz had 12 points and four assists.

While Rib Lake was 24 of 42 from the line, Flambeau was 10 of 20 for one of the game’s key statistical differences. Flambeau held a slight 37-31 overall rebounding advantage. The Falcons had 10 of their 13 offensive rebounds in the first half.

Flambeau turned the ball over 16 times compared to 10 for Rib Lake. Both teams shot well from the field with Rib Lake at 47.9% overall (23 of 48) and Flambeau at 46.4% overall (26 of 58).

“Our guys did well just closing that game out in the second half,” Todd Henderson said. “(The Falcons) were probably better than their seed showed and they played well.”