Lavicka scores basket on Senior Night

By Casey Krautkramer

Athens senior Addison Lavicka suffered a major knee injury while playing basketball last summer. The injury kept her from playing volleyball for the Bluejays this fall but there was still hope that she’d return for the end of the varsity girls basketball season. She ended up not being cleared to play basketball this season during a recent doctor’s visit, however, she should be able to play softball this spring.

Lavicka was announced as an Athens varsity starting basketball player at Thursday’s home game against Prentice, which allowed her to make an uncontested basket before exiting the game. Lavicka gave the Bluejays a 2-0 lead. She then received emotional hugs from her head coach, Kyncaide Keefe, and her teammates. She shed a few tears during the Senior Night game which Athens easily won, 67-20, against Prentice.

“It really meant a lot to just be able to step onto the court one last time,” Lavicka said. “I want to thank everyone who made it possible.”

She has contributed to her basketball team’s success in a different way this season by cheering loudly on the bench for her teammates on the court.

“Being everyone’s biggest fan is my goal,” Lavicka said.

Coach Keefe said it was an emotional but much needed Senior Night recognition for Lavicka and her classmates.

“It was nice to give Addison a last moment regardless of the emotions everybody was feeling,” Keefe said. “It’s been fun to watch her grow in a different aspect of basketball because now she is coaching and hyping up her teammates. It is so amazing to see her handle her new role with such poise.”

Senior Jazelle Hartwig led Athens with 21 points and senior Sophia Coker added 16 points in the win against Prentice.

Athens currently has a 16-9 overall record this season after easily beating Marion, 75-51, in Tuesday’s WIAA Division 5 regional quarterfinals. No. 4 playoff seed Athens now plays a home regional semifinal at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 22, See GIRLS HOOPS/ page 11

EMOTIONAL EVENT- Athens senior girls basketball player Addison Lavicka reaches out to hug her head coach, Kyncaide Keefe, after Prentice allowed her to make a basket.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER Girls hoops

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against No. 5 Loyal.

Other girls playoff wins

Edgar’s varsity girls basketball team shook off its 44-49 regular-season road loss to Newman Catholic on Thursday by beating the Cardinals, 56-49, in Tuesday’s home WIAA Division 5 regional quarterfinal. No. 7 playoff seed Edgar now plays at 7:15 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 22, in a road regional semifinal against No. 2 Pittsville.

Marathon’s varsity girls basketball squad upended Ladysmith, 45-42, in Tuesday’s home WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinal. Marathon now plays at 7:15 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 22, in a regional semifinal at No. 1 seed Chippewa Falls McDonell.

Stratford’s varsity girls basketball team received a No. 4 seed and first-round bye in the playoffs. Stratford begins the playoffs at 7:15 p.m this Thursday, Feb. 22, with a home WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal against No. 5 seed Abbotsford.

PRECISION PASS- Athens senior Jazelle Hartwig throws a pass on Thursday during her team’s dominating home win against Prentice.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER