Tigers down Knights in semifinal

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford’s varsity girls basketball squad eventually figured out Onalaska Luther’s half court trap in the second half to pull out a 54-48 home win in Friday’s WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal. Sophomore Carly Pankratz led the Tigers with 17 points followed by senior Daisy Yoder with 10 and senior Kayla Casperson with nine in the playoff victory.

Tigers varsity head coach Tammie Christopherson was proud of her players’ determination to win the playoff game against the Knights.

“Luther basically had a half court trap and it took us a little time to get adjusted to it but once we calmed down and saw the floor and realized that we just needed to keep someone in the middle to release the pressure, then we were fine,” she said. “We knew they were going to make a run at some point and they did. They are amazing three-point shooters and a ninepoint lead can be gone in just seconds. We hung on there. Daisy (Yoder) got a huge basket at the end and then we dumped in some free throws to finish it off.”

Yoder was elected to help her team win its home playoff game.

“It was awesome to finally get another home game win in front of our fans,” she said.

Stratford’s season ended the very next night after a 53-35 road loss to No. 1 seed Neillsville, 23-3, in the regional championship. Carly Pankratz led the Tigers with 12 points against the Warriors. Stratford concludes this season with a 20-6 record.

Raiders lose regional final

Marathon’s varsity girls basketball team easily beat Cadott, 56-28, in Friday’s home WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal. Junior Mylee Haehlke had a huge game for the Red Raiders by leading the team with 19 points, 19 rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot. Sophomore Katlyn Love added 13 points and seven rebounds while her older sister, junior Emma Love, had 10 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Mayven Schneider contributed eight points and she paced the team with four assists.

The No. 3 playoff seed Red Raiders lost the very next night, 48-32, to No. 2 seed Chippewa Falls McDonell Macks in Saturday’s regional championship. Haehlke led the Red Raiders with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Emma Love added 11 points and eight rebounds. Marathon concludes this season with a 197 record while McDonell improves to 178.

Marathon varsity head coach Jeff Schneider enjoyed the experience with his team this season.

“It is sad to have the season come to an end but our team had an outstanding season of growth and togetherness,” he said. “Our eight seniors provided tremendous leadership on and off the court and set the standard of working hard every practice and competing every day. Much credit and praise goes to all of our girls on their effort and dedication, especially seniors Katie LeBlanc, Addison Molepske, Katie Clever, Chenpieng Phakitthong, Cayden Sapinski, Izzy Vardon, Kyla Heise and Danica Paszek. We will miss them greatly but we are excited for what next season brings with our returning girls hungry to keep getting better.”

SENIOR EXPERIENCE - Stratford senior varsity girls basketball player Kassedey Downey seeks a teammate to pass the ball to in the waning moments of her team’s 54-48 home win against Onalaska Luther in Friday’s WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

HIGH FIVE FOR A SENIOR - Marathon senior varsity girls basketball player Cayden Sapinski gets ready to give assistant coach Chuck Baldeshwiler a high five before the team’s recent Senior Night. Red Raiders junior Mylee Haehlke (4) looks on.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

SENIOR PLAYER CAMARADERIE - Red Raiders seniors from left to right are Danica Paszek, Katie LeBlanc, Addison Molepske and Kyla Heise clapping hands with senior teammate Katie Cliver after she is introduced as a starting player on Senior Night this season.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

Daisy Yoder