2024 Wisconsin high school boys basketball state semifinal tournament Divisions 1, 2, 5 review

The 2024 WIAA boys basketball high school state tournament continued Friday with Division 1, Division 2 and Division 5 semifinal games at the Kohl Center in Madison.

We had live updates from the six games. Columbus Catholic and Abundant Life Christian punched their tickets to the Division 5 state final after winning their semifinal games. Wisconsin Lutheran and Pewaukee won to advance to the Division 2 final. And Friday night, Arrowhead and Marquette prevailed and will advance to the Division 1 final.

Here are Friday's scores, with links to our full coverage:

Division 5

• Columbus Catholic 78, Solon Springs 65

• Abundant Life Christian 42, Almond-Bancroft 37

Division 2

• Wisconsin Lutheran 56, Nicolet 54

• Pewaukee 89, West Salem 69

Division 1

• Arrowhead 99, Neenah 95 (four overtimes)

• Marquette 67, Kettle Moraine 60

Here's how the WIAA boys state basketball tournament on Friday unfolded, in reverse chronological order.

Hope you enjoyed the live blog; we'll have another one Saturday

We had a buzzer beater, a triple-double, another buzzer beater (on the cusp of four overtimes) and simply a competitive game to close down a wild four-game run today at the Kohl Center in Madison.

We dearly hope you enjoyed this blog, and watch for Saturday's file; we'll have a full rundown of the five state finals. To review:

• Division 5: Columbus Catholic (28-2) vs. Abundant Life Christian (28-2), 11:05 a.m.

• Division 4: Kenosha St. Joseph (20-9) vs. Mineral Point (27-2), approx 12:45 p.m.

• Division 3: St. Thomas More (28-1) vs. Lakeside Lutheran (27-2), approx 2:30 p.m.

• Division 2: Wisconsin Lutheran (29-0) vs. Pewaukee (25-4), 6:35 p.m.

• Division 1: Arrowhead (27-2) vs. Marquette (25-4), approx 8:15 p.m.

Final numbers from Marquette/KM

Will Stuckey finished with 19 points for the Lasers and four rebounds, and Nathan Vuillaume had 15. After eight turnovers in the first half, the Lasers committed only two in the second half. They also shot 58.3% in the second half after 32% in the first, and it helped that they made six of 10 three-pointers after half.

But it wasn't enough.

Nolan Minessale hit 10 of 12 shots with eight rebounds and three assists in his 24-point performance. T.J. Adams and Ryan Meehan combined to shoot 7-of-10 from three-point range and finished with 15 and 23 points, respectively. It came down to shooting; KM had more rebounds (barely), fewer turnovers (barely) and hit one more three-pointer than the Hilltoppers, but Marquette was too efficient otherwise, shooting 61.5% for the game.

That's it for Friday. A big Saturday awaits.

Final score: Marquette 67, Kettle Moraine 60

Nolan Minessale hit two more free throws for good measure, closing the night with 24 points (on 10 of 12 shooting), and the Hilltoppers are headed to face Arrowhead in tomorrow's Division 1 final.

The Lasers were so much better in the second half and got it down to 3 points, but Marquette never fully buckled or lost control of the game. We're gonna have a rematch of a game that ended in a buzzer beater earlier this year when Arrowhead and Marquette meet.

McDevitt normally a dicey free-throw shooter, but he delivers here

Peter McDevitt, just a 53% free-throw shooter during the season, calmly hits the first of the bonus when he's sent to the line on the next possession, then the follow-up. It's back to a 5-point game in the final 20 seconds.

And a Lasers 3-pointer is blocked! Marquette is going to win.

Marquette makes a critical mistake and Kettle Moraine capitalizes; it's a 3-point game again!

Kettle Moraine doesn't foul on the other end, and Marquette winds up throwing it away, allowing the Lasers to come back down the floor and Will Stuckey to hit a deep 3-pointer with 24.8 seconds left.

It's down to 63-60 with time still for some magic!

Marquette's defense swallows up the Lasers on key possession

Kettle Moraine simply couldn't find a shot against Marquette's defense, and the look the Lasers finally generated bounced off the rim no good.

The lead is 63-57 still with 49.5 seconds left, and Marquette has the ball. It's starting to feel academic.

Marquette has a 6-point lead with 2 minutes to kill

The Hilltoppers are awfully close to meeting Arrowhead for tomorrow night's gold ball. The lead is 63-57 with 1:58 go to go. Mineral Point was down 7 with 25 seconds left yesterday and won, so nothing's impossible yet, but it's getting dicey for KM.

Marquette answers right back to seize control of the game yet again

Ryan Meehan hit a 3-pointer to make it a 6-point game after a Hilltoppers timeout, and then a long KM possession ended in a missed Will Stuckey 3-pointer, and Nolan Minessale threw down a dunk on the other end.

Marquette's lead is back to 63-55 with 3:03 to play.

Minessale is up to 22 points on 10 of 12 shooting. Meehan has 12 points on 4 of 5 shooting from 3-point range. Both huge.

Kettle Moraine is back within 3 points with 4:06 to go!

The Lasers finally got their run.

Roman Thompson hit his third 3-pointer of the night for Kettle Moraine, and Nathan Vuillaume got loose on a bit of a fast break off a Marquette miss and soared in for the layup. Marquette's lead is down to 58-55 and still 4:06 remains.

KM's shooting percentage is way up, now 47.6%. And while the Lasers do have 10 turnovers, that's only two since halftime, and Marquette now has 11 for the game.

T.J. Adams has been cold blooded for Marquette

T.J. Adams of Marquette just faked out of a defender with a jab step and hit a 3-pointer, making him 3 for 4 from deep today, although Will Stuckey of Kettle Moraine answered on the other end, and Adams tried a couple heat check 3-pointers on the next possession that were no good.

Marquette managed to keep possession on a ball out of bounds though, and some superior ball movement landed Minessale at the free-throw line.

He splits. Marquette's lead is 56-48 with 6:41 to go.

Kettle Moraine gets it down to 5 points, but then Nolan Minessale does what he does for Marquette

Jack McSorley's drive and smooth move off the glass made it a 49-44 Marquette lead, and KM fans are feeling the comeback brewing, but Nolan Minessale scored and drew a foul for a 3-point play on the other end, and now it's back to a 52-48 edge for the Hilltoppers. Lasers have been chipping and chipping away but cannot seem to make that big push.

Minessale up to 17 points on 8 of 10 shooting.

Marquette lead is 49-40 with 10:35 to play

Marquette is shooting 65.% and Kettle Moraine has improved to 41.2%. That's essentially the difference in this game.

Marquette hitting from deep to keep Lasers from encroaching

Marquette is now 5 of 7 from 3-point range, and their triples are keeping Kettle Moraine from building any momentum. Ryan Meehan just hit a big one, though KM's Roman Thompson answered with one of his own.

But with 12:30 left, Marquette's lead is still 10 points at 47-37. Will Stuckey is up to 12 points for the Lasers

Kettle Moraine comes out of the break looking lively

Jack McSorley has a 3-pointer, and Will Stuckey and Nathan Vuillaume have baskets for Kettle Moraine in the early going of the second half, and Marquette has made some careless turnovers. A 3-pointer by Marquette's T.J. Adams momentarily stems the tide, but Will Stuckey then drives, scores and draws contact for a 3-point play.

The Marquette lead is still healthy, but it's down to 42-34 with 14:10 left.

Halftime: Marquette 37, Kettle Moraine 24

I'll remind readers that Arrowhead was down 12 to Neenah at halftime and overcame that deficit in, like, 5 minutes. Can the Warhawks' brethren in the Classic 8 do something similar? Kettle Moraine is down 13 points at the break.

Marquette's Nolan Minessale has been extremely efficient from the field, shooting 7 of 8 for 14 points with five rebounds. Kettle Moraine is led by Nathan Vuillaume with 9 points and four boards. The Lasers have been rattled by nine turnovers, though Marquette has committed its fair share with seven.

The Lasers need shots to start falling. They're shooting 32% on a night when teams have been blistering from the field. Arrowhead just shot 71.7% in the other Division 1 semifinal! I didn't even mention that particular state record.

The Lasers are 2 of 13 from 3-point range. That's a team that shoots 41% according to its season stats.

Drew Wagner does have 5 minutes on the floor but hasn't been a factor. Will Stuckey is just 2 for 8, with 7 points and two fouls.

T.J. Adams hits a three for Marquette, maybe says something to the Kettle Moraine bench?

T.J. Adams turned to face the Lasers bench after hitting a triple, and then Nolan Minessale cleans up a miss on the next possession and scores, and now the lead is 13 points in the final seconds of the first half for Marquette.

Lasers down to 2 of 13 shooting from 3-point range.

Free-throw line is one thing stopping Nolan Minessale

Nolan Minessale, the 6-5 St. Thomas (Minn.) recruit, is now 0 for 3 at the free-throw line, so he's been stuck at 12 points for a little while. The Lasers, however, commit their eighth turnover of the half, leading to a Tommy Novotny run-out and score.

Will Stuckey hits a pair of free throws for Kettle Moraine but the Lasers' deficit is still 32-24 with 1:12 left in the half.

It's a 30-20 lead for MUHS with 2:45 to play

Kettle Moraine has six players on the roster who played in last year's state semifinal, but it's Marquette that looks like the more comfortable team on the Kohl Center floor tonight. The lead is 10 with 2:45 to go in the first half. KM is shooting just 36.4% (and 2 of 11 from deep with seven turnovers.

Marquette, meanwhile, is 12 of 18 from the field (67%) and getting to the line.

Marquette has a 10-point lead with 5 minutes left in the first half

The Lasers seem to have indeed figured out how to slow down Nolan Minessale a touch, but other Hilltoppers are getting the job done. Ryan Meehan just hit a 3-pointer, and six different players have found the scoring column for Marquette.

It's 28-18 with 4:37 left in the first half.

Will Stuckey has two fouls for Kettle Moraine

Lasers leading scorer Will Stuckey already has two fouls, and he just had to back off a contest at the rim to avoid getting a third, allowing Marquette to score and build its lead to 21-14 with 7:30 left in the first half. Lasers are now guilty of five turnovers, though so are the Hilltoppers.

Nolan Minessale is proving very difficult to stop for Marquette

Nolan Minessale is up to 12 points for Marquette, and the Hilltoppers have a 16-14 lead with 10:21 to go. He just missed a free throw that could have completed a 3-point play, but the Lasers are going to need to figure out something for Minessale, because he is getting to the rim with ease.

The teams have combined for seven turnovers thus far. Marquette's Tommy Novotny, a sophomore who took a star turn in the Division 1 football final a few months ago, is in the game for Marquette.

Check out this great story Lori Nickel did on Novotny and his family.

Nathan Vuillaume hot early for Kettle Moraine, and Wagner now checks in for Lasers

Including a 3-pointer, Nathan Vuillaume has hit all three of his shots thus far in the game, good for 7 points as the Lasers pull within 10-9. Marquette bounces back out to 12-9 on free throws, and look who's checking in for Kettle Moraine? It's Drew Wagner, meaning he's probably going to get his first meaningful minutes of the season at the state tournament.

There's 12:27 to go in the first half.

Marquette has an 8-4 lead at first timeout

Nolan Minnesale has all 8 points for Marquette, plus one rebound, as the Hilltoppers take an 8-4 edge on Kettle Moraine with 14:42 to go in the first half.

Drew Wagner not starting for Kettle Moraine

Drew Wagner, the star player last year who's missed all but a few brief minutes of the season when he played last week, is not in the starting lineup, as you might imagine.

Nolan Minessale of Marquette gets us started with a dunk and driving layup. It's 4 more points for his point total, the largest career scoring mark in Marquette history.

Up next: Marquette (24-4) vs. Kettle Moraine (25-3) in Division 1 semfiinal

They're going to be playing late, but they'll probably play far less basketball than the other team that advanced to tomorrow's Division 1 final.

Marquette is led by Nolan Minessale, who averages 21.8 points per game and has set the program career scoring record, passing former Marquette standout Damon Key. Not a bad name drop. The Hilltoppers have won 10 straight heading into state, with their last loss against the aforementioned Arrowhead (65-64) when MUHS inbounded the ball right to Arrowhead's A.J. Ohrmundt just before the buzzer and he laid it in for a crazy win.

If that game hadn't ended as such, it would be 19 straight wins coming into Madison. No shame in Marquette's other three losses either; back-to-back setbacks against De Pere and Pewaukee (No. 1 and No. 2 in their respective divisions this year) and Germantown, 78-73.

T.J. Adams adds 11.5 points per game, and Cade Kohnen chips in with 10.6. Plus Ryan Meehan with 10.1. It's a senior-dominated team.

Kettle Moraine has the fascinating element of Drew Wagner, the star player on last year's team that reached the state semis. Wagner missed almost the entire season with a shoulder injury, but the Northwestern football commit was healthy enough to briefly appear in the sectional final win over Janesville Craig. How much can Wagner play today?

If he doesn't play, Kettle Moraine is obviously still equipped to do quite well. The Lasers have been led all year by Will Stuckey, who averages 18.4 points per game with four assists and 5.3 rebounds. Nathan Vuillaume adds 12.5 and Roman Thompson 12.0.

The Lasers have won 12 in a row and 20 of 21. The loss in there came to Muskego, 53-50, and the winning run included a victory over Arrowhead, a team that beat the Lasers earlier in the year. And hey, there might be a third meeting. Could we have back-to-back intra-conference state-title games tomorrow? Both teams in Division 2 (Wisconsin Lutheran and Pewaukee) are in the Woodland West. KM and Arrowhead are both Classic 8.

KM's other loss came to the aforementioned Pewaukee.

The Lasers are coached by Brian Richert, who previously coached St. John's Northwestern Military Academy to state. One of his former pupils, Trevon Hughes, was coach for KM last year when the Lasers made the state trip. Hughes and KM parted ways between seasons.

Well, good lord, that was a wild time. Arrowhead wins in four overtimes

I don't even know where to begin exactly.

The 99-95 win breaks the previous record for combined points in a game (any division) of 180, set in 1967 between Manitowoc Lincoln and La Crosse Central, a 109-71 win for Lincoln. It's also the first four-overtime game in tournament history. There's only been one previous triple overtime game, the Division 1 final between Madison Memorial and De Pere in 2011. Shouts to Brendan Ortiz.

Jace Gilbert was a man child. The Iowa State football recruit hit 15 of 19 shots, scored 34 points and brought in 14 rebounds. Sure, he can't shoot free throws (4 of 11) but whatever. The Warhawks were brilliant and making sure he wasn't put in that situation too many times down the stretch.

Sam Leoni was a wizard. He played 51 minutes of basketball (!!!!) and took one shot, which he missed. BUT he handed out seven assists and went 12 of 14 at the free-throw line. What a performance, especially after four turnovers in the first half. He had just one in the second half and four overtimes combined.

Bennett Basich was solid (24 points), hitting a big 3-pointer and definitely serving as the Arrowhead beating heart. But he fouled out, and freshman brother Brock Basich had to soak up some late floor time. He hit 4 of 6 from the line.

Neenah racked up 17 (!!!) offensive rebounds. Oddly enough, the Rockets outrebounded Arrowhead by the modest 29-28 count overall. Somehow, after coaxing eight first-half turnovers against Arrowhead, the Warhawks committed just one the rest of the way. Sam Leoni, tbh.

Neenah was awesome. Brady Corso scored 30 with seven assists. Luke Jung had 22. Justin Janssen, whose 3-pointer at the end of regulation sent us on a wild journey, had 18.

I am ready for a nap. But neigh! We have one more game to go.

Arrowhead prevails in a four-overtime epic over Neenah

Leoni hits both free throws to give Arrowhead a 97-93 lead. Brady Corso of Neenah is essentially allowed another uncontested layup, and Arrowhead goes back to the line with 1 second left. It's Brock Basich, who hits both. That's it.

Neenah's last shot is no good but it wouldn't have mattered. Arrowhead wins in the highest scoring (and longest) game in state-tournament history, 99-95.

Andy Cochrane with a massive offensive rebound for AHS

Junior AJ Ohrmundt gets sent to the line with 16.5 on the clock and hits one of two, but another huge offensive rebound for Arrowhead, this time from Andy Cochrane, gives the Warhawks another shot.

Leoni going to the line. Nick Schultz fouls out for Neenah, and 10.7 remain on the clock with Arrowhead up, 95-93.

Neenah now within 1 point with 17.5 seconds to play

Freshman Blake Basich, whose older brother is out of this game with fouls, is sent to the line for two huge free throws with 33.7 left and he misses the first. Makes the second, so that makes it a a 94-91 lead with 30 seconds to play.

Justin Janssen scores a largely uncontested layup on the other end, but Arrowhead gets the ball back with a 94-93 lead at 17.5 seconds on the clock. Quadruple overtime has been much slower than its earlier installments.

Neenah pulls to within 93-91 with a 3-pointer and 35.2 seconds remain

Justin Jannsen is up to 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting and 2 of 4 from three-point range after another triple. Remember, his buzzer beater in regulation is why we're still here.

Arrowhead's got the ball and a 93-91 lead with 35.2 seconds to play in quadruple overtime.

Sam Leoni gives Arrowhead a huge advantage

Sam Leoni blocked a shot, recovered the ball in the air and shuffled it to a teammate. When Jace Gilbert got the ball, he got rid of it quickly enough this time, and the ball ended back in the hands of Leoni, who's fouled. He'd been 8 of 8 at the line.

He went to 9 of 9 before finally missing, but then he tracked down his own rebound and got fouled again. Neenah is the team with 16 offensive rebounds, but that was a massive one for Arrowhead.

Leoni again goes 1 for 2 but Arrowhead now leads with less than a minute to play, 93-88.

Arrowhead can't get a big rebound, and Neenah is back within 2 points

Luke Jung scored and drew a foul on Jay Haase, then missed the free throw, but Charlie Wunderlich got yet another offensive rebound for the Rockets. They're up to a staggering 16 of those.

Wunderlich also missed his first freebie but made the second, and it's a 2-point game with 1:11 to go, and another Arrowhead timeout.

Wunderlich has 16 points. Four players on the floor for Neenah have four fouls.

Gilbert gets defensive board but gets fouled

Jace Gilbert pleaded his case that he had handed the ball off to a teammate (Leoni, the much better free-throw shooter), but refs ruled that the foul came before he gave the ball away. So Gilbert indeed goes to the line, and hey, he makes the first! But airballs the second.

Arrowhead leads, 90-85, with 1:21 to go in quadruple overtime.

Sam Leoni goes to the line for the Warhawks with 1:49 left

Jace Gilbert is off the floor for Arrowhead to avoid a free-throw situation, and Sam Leoni winds up at the line. He doesn't have a field goal today on one shot attempt, but he sure can hit free throws. He's now 8 for 8 after the second one rims in.

89-85, Arrowhead, with 1:44 to play.

Arrowhead leads, but Bennett Basich is out of the game

And just as I say that, Bennett Basich fouls out.

The leading scorer and UWGB recruit will have to watch the rest of this from the bench. Not only that, but he took an elbow on the play from Neenah's Brady Corso (who was looking for the contact) and leaves with a towel to his face. Either a bloody nose or bloody mouth.

Jace Gilbert just scored and the Warhawks to give them an 87-83 lead, but Corso hits both free throws to make it 87-85. There's 2:13 to go and the Warhawks are missing their best player the rest of the way.

Basich leaves with 24 points on 9 of 14 shooting and five rebounds.

Gilbert is up to 33 points on a spectacular 15 of 19 shooting, but he's not a good free-throw shooter. No secret Neenah would love to put him at the line. Gilbert just 3 of 9 from the charity stripe today.

Bennett Basich scores first for Arrowhead in the fourth overtime

A Basich drive gives the Warhawks an 85-83 lead, but once again Neenah grabs not one but two offensive rebounds on the other end and draws a foul on Jace Gilbert. That's his third.

Basich and Ohrmundt have been playing with four fouls for Arrowhead. Wunderlich and Janssen have four for Neenah. It's amazing we haven't lost any players to foul-outs yet.

Grant Dean misses both free throws for Neenah though, and Arrowhead has the ball and the lead with 2:40 to go.

We have QUADRUPLE OVERTIME in Madison

The inbound got the ball to the right person, Brady Corso, but his deep three was well off the mark. We have a fourth overtime in the WIAA state tournament for the first time in history.

Arrowhead and Neenah are tied at 83.

Neenah will have a shot with 2.8 seconds left

Once again, Neenah held for a final shot, and Brady Corso's jumper was no good, but it bounced out of bounds off an Arrowhead player, and the Rockets will get a shot on their own end with 2.8 seconds to play. Neenah has just drained clock in these overtimes, and Arrowhead has been content to let that happen.

We are tied at 83 and have never played four overtimes in a state-tournament game.

Charlie Wunderlich gets his own rebound and a free lane to the basket, but once again Arrowhead answers

Charlie Wunderlich missed a shot for Neenah but got his rebound and found himself with a wide open lane to the basket as Neenah grabbed an 83-81 lead, but then freshman Trey Resch answered to re-tie the score. We've got 1:30 left in triple overtime.

It's triple overtime in Madison

We are going to another overtime

Jace Gilbert's free throw hit every part of the rim before falling through for Arrowhead to knot the score at 79; he'd missed the first. Neenah had a chance had a last shot, but it was blocked from deep, and now we're going to triple overtime for I believe just the second time in state-tournament history.

Who runs out of gas first?

Brady Corso 3-pointer gives Neenah another lead, but Arrowhead grabs it back

An offensive rebound kept the possession alive yet again for Neenah, and Brady Corso's triple gave him 26 points for the night and spotted the Rockets a 75-72 lead. But Jace Gilbert scored on the other end, and Bennett Basich drew a foul on a drive one possession later, then hit both free throws.

Arrowhead has a 76-75 lead with 1:50 to play.

Neenah scores first in the second overtime, but Bennett Basich answers

We're tied at 72 after Luke Jung and Bennett Basich traded baskets. Jung was fouled but missed the free throw, and Jace Gilbert hauled in his ninth rebound. We're tied again at 72 with three minutes left in double overtime.

Double overtime in the Kohl Center

Neenah called timeout with 15 seconds left to set up for a final shot and got a bit of a jumbled look for Luke Jung. It bounds out, so we have DOUBLE overtime tied at 70. Four more minutes.

Neenah takes the lead in overtime, but Arrowhead ties it back up as we approach one minute to go

Brady Corso is up to 23 points after a 3-pointer to start the extra session, and the Warhawks are whistled for an offensive foul on the other end. After the Rockets drain some clock and miss another 3-pointer, Trey Resch can't finish and Neenah again drained more clock, but eventually missed again.

On the other end, AJ Ohrmundt hit a 3-pointer to re-tie the game at 70-70. Neenah appears content to hold for the last shot!

WE HAVE OVERTIME ON A BUZZER BEATER

What a tournament this has been for big late buckets. We're going to overtime.

Brady Corso drove in for a basket but missed, and the rebound got tapped out to Justin Janssen, who sank a game-tying 3-pointer with 2 seconds left to force overtime. We're tied at 67.

Sam Leoni, who didn't have any points in this game for AHS until the home stretch, hit all six of his free throws. Without those, we wouldn't even be here. But Janssen got the board and hit the biggest shot of the game. We've had so many big shots in this tournament thus far.

Luke Jung scores and Neenah back within 1 point with 14.6 to go

Luke Jung is up to 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting for Neenah, and now Arrowhead will likely be put back at the line with a 65-64 lead and 14.6 seconds still on the clock. Inbound on the opposite end of the floor.

It's going to come down to free throws, where Arrowhead has struggled today, but they lead by 3 with 26 seconds left

Neenah hits a pair of free throws (Arrowhead seems content to put them on the line?) and pulls back within a point, but then Arrowhead holds possession as long as it can before Sam Leoni is fouled. He hits both and Arrowhead's lead is 65-62 with 26.6 seconds to go.

Arrowhead is 12 of 20 at the line but has hit 4 of 5, and the miss turned into three more points on a Basich 3-point play.

Crazy sequence for Arrowhead, who takes the lead, and there is controversy

Jace Gilbert scores and draws a foul, though Neenah fans were furious that he was granted continuation with less than a minute to go. They felt the foul was on the floor, but officials counted it to tie the game at 60. He missed the free throw, but Bennett Basich flew in for the rebound, scored, drew a foul and then jumped over the front-row cameramen and celebrated with the student section.

I wasn't sure if that would lead to a technical foul, but apparently it does not. Basich has been whistled for technicals each of the last two games for various reasons.

He makes the free throw after a timeout, and Arrowhead leads, 63-60, with 46.4 seconds to go.

With 2 minutes left, Neenah has a 58-56 lead

Brady Corso just went to the line and calmly drained both ends of the bonus, replenishing Neenah's lead to 58-56 with 1:56 to go. Bennett Basich had just tied the game with a driving layup.

We've got another classic finish brewing. Time out on the floor and precious time remaining for these teams to stake their claim to a spot in Saturday's final.

Jace Gilbert, by the way, is up to 24 points on 11 of 12 shooting with seven rebounds. A monster today. I expect he'll get some touches down the stretch.

Arrowhead's free-throw troubles proving costly

Neenah still has a 2-point edge with 2:41 left on the clock, 56-54, after Bennett Basich missed the front end of a bonus. The Warhawks are now 7 of 14 at the free-throw line, and that's obviously looming large. Neenah, by comparison, is 5 of 7 at the line.

Neenah isn't folding, taking a 2-point lead with 6 minutes to go

The Rockets have figured it out again, hitting their last three shots, including back-to-back 3-pointers by Brady Corso. That gives Neenah a 52-50 lead with just more than 6 minutes left, and Jace Gilbert's pair of free-throw misses gives the ball back to Neenah.

There's 5:49 to play and a timeout on the floor. Both teams are still shooting the ball extremely well, with Neenah at 57.9% and Arrowhead at 69%. But Neenah still has nine more total shots and the tenuous lead.

Arrowhead has its first lead of the night on a Bennett Basich triple

The Warhawks grabbed an offensive rebound and Bennett Basich buries the 3-pointer that gives Arrowhead its first lead of the game, 44-43, with 10:37 to go. A 12-point deficit at halftime is officially all the way gone.

Basich is up to 11 points on 4 of 9 shooting after a quiet first half. Jace Gilbert has 18 points on 8 of 9 shooting with five rebounds.

Neenah's offense has completely stalled after a dynamite first half, largely boosted by its ability to force Arrowhead turnovers.

Arrowhead back within 1 point!

I can't believe how fast this turned around.

Neenah committed its fifth turnover, and AJ Ohrmundt dialed up a 3-pointer to pull the Warhawks to within 39-38, coaxing a Neenah timeout with 14 minutes to go. This was a 12-point game at halftime, and barely 4 minutes into the second half, it's a 1-point game.

Wow, and immediately, Arrowhead is back in the game

Craig Haase said the right things at halftime.

Arrowhead has come to life, now down 39-35 with 14:42 to go. It's an 10-2 run to open the half.

Jace Gilbert is now 7 of 8 in this game, hitting all three of his shots in this half to up his scoring total to 15. He also shrugged off a Neenah defender who tried drawing an offensive foul. Gilbert is built like a Division 1 football player (because he is one), but the refs weren't buying that particular attempt from the Rockets.

The Warhawks have already forced four second-half turnovers from Neenah after the Rockets committed two in the entire first half.

We have a ballgame!

It's all Neenah in the first half

Arrowhead's eight turnovers are a glaring number from the first half; Neenah committed just two on their end and shot a blistering 16 of 26 from the field (61%). And again, the Rockets would be on the verge of a blowout if they could hit better from 3-point range; they've gone just 3 for 10 thus far (and Luke Jung has two of those makes).

Neenah has scored on 17 of 24 possessions in this game.

Arrowhead has shot 11 fewer shots thanks to the turnovers and a 10-7 deficit in rebounding. The Warhawks are actually shooting 67% from the field, but they've surrendered five offensive rebounds, committed those turnovers and also missed three free throws in seven attempts.

Bennett Basich, the UWGB recruit, has been held to just 4 points on 2 of 5 shooting for Arrowhead. Jace Gilbert has 9 points and Trey Resch, just a freshman, has made all three of his shots from the field and has 9 points, as well. Gilbert also has four rebounds to lead everyone on the floor.

Neenah's Jung has 10 points, with 8 apiece from Justin Janssen and Brady Corso.

Tough night so far for Sam Leoni of Arrowhead. He's the team's third leading scorer at 9.5 points per game but is 0 for 1 from the field with four turnovers and two fouls.

Neenah leads Arrowhead at halftime, 37-25

Arrowhead closes the half with a couple buckets, but Neenah has answers, including a 3-pointer by Joey Daun and a basket by Luke Jung just before the buzzer. It's a 37-25 deficit for the No. 1 team in the state, and Arrowhead has some serious work to do to make it to Saturday.

Arrowhead finally gets a little bit of momentum

It's not much, but Arrowhead will take it.

Freshman Trey Resch hit a 3-pointer and then, with Resch entrusted to guard Neenah leading scorer Brady Corso, the Warhawks endured a long possession until Neenah committed a traveling violation. With 1:44 left to go before halftime, the Neenah lead is still 32-21, but the Warhawks could at least get it within double digits on the next possession.

Resch has hit both his shots and joins Jace Gilbert with 7 points to lead Arrowhead. Neenah has three players with 8 points each: Brady Corso, Justin Janssen and Luke Jung.

Luke Jung is feeling it with back-to-back triples

Luke Jung and his mop of curly red hair are having a great time.

He just hit his second straight 3-pointer from the top of the key, giving Neenah its biggest lead yet at 32-17 with 4 minutes to go in the first half. Arrowhead split free throws on the other end to pull within 32-18; Neenah keeps getting great looks and hitting shots and Arrowhead has to work hard for everything it gets.

Is Arrowhead entering the danger zone here?

Neenah has just been the better team by far to start this game, now up 29-14 with 4:13 to go before halftime. Definitely not what we expected.

The Rockets are getting buckets in transition and keeping Arrowhead's offense completely stuck in neutral. Bennett Basich just finally scored his first points of the game for the Warhawks; he averages 19.4 per game.

Arrowhead has committed eight turnovers thus far and Neenah is shooting better than 60%.

The big concern is that Neenah hadn't even hit a 3-pointer until Luke Jung just now.

Neenah still has the juice, up 20-10 with 8:28 to go in the first half

Brady Corso got up for a dunk off a turnover, and the Warhawks are already guilty of five giveaways as Neenah has a 20-10 lead here with 8:28 left in the first half, forcing coach Craig Haase to call timeout.

Jace Gilbert has hit all three of his field-goal attempts and has 7 points, so he's basically been the entire offense for Arrowhead thus far. The team's other three top-four scorers (Bennett Basich, Trey Resch, Sam Leoni) are all scoreless thus far.

Neenah looks very smooth and would be even better if they could hit a three (0 for 4 so far). Shooting 9 of 15 overall from the field. Corso has 6 points.

Arrowhead struggling to get going on offense

Credit the Neenah defense with putting Arrowhead off balance early. Jace Gilbert has a couple inside baskets, but Arrowhead does not look comfortable on offense, whereas Neenah has been able to generate a number of open looks. The Rockets have a 10-6 lead as we see our first timeout with 11:48 left in the first half.

Bennett Basich is 0 for 2 shooting early for Arrowhead. Justin Janssen has 6 points for Neenah and leads all scorers.

Neenah strikes first in the Division 1 semifinal

Brady Corso, Neenah's leading scorer, scores the first points of the game, and then Justin Janssen gets hacked looking for a bucket before hitting a pair of free throws to spot the Rockets an early 4-0 lead. We're in the infant stages of tonight's third game, but Neenah not looking like an underdog out of the gate.

Up next: Division 1 semifinal, Arrowhead (26-2) vs. Neenah (21-7)

The Arrowhead boys basketball team will take the court shortly looking for their first state title since a thrilling run in 2010. I was there for that when they beat Marquette on a banked-in buzzer beater in the semifinal; perhaps they see Marquette in the state final tomorrow? Or perhaps it's Kettle Moraine, their conference foe who's back at state for the second straight year (just like Arrowhead)? Or perhaps Neenah, the lone non-Milwaukee school in Division 1, springs an upset.

The Warhawks are led by UW-Green Bay recruit Bennett Basich, who scores 19.4 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Jace Gilbert, a 6-5 bruiser who will play football at Iowa State, adds 17.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as well. Both played on the team that lost to De Pere in last year's state final.

Throw in senior Sam Leoni (9.5 points per game), who shoots 44% from 3-point range, and freshman Trey Resch (8.7), who shoots 39% from distance, and you have an impressive collection of weapons. The Warhawks lost their season opener to still-undefeated Division 2 powerhouse Wisconsin Lutheran and their second of two games against fellow D1 qualifier Kettle Moraine.

Arrowhead won the rematch with De Pere in the sectional final, an 85-80 win that marked the end of the road for the No. 1 team in the state. Arrowhead also won a thriller against Marquette this year, 65-64, when AJ Ohrmundt stole an inbound pass under the Arrowhead basket and laid it in at the buzzer.

Craig Haase, who's been at the helm of Arrowhead for 24 years, has now coached Arrowhead to five state tournament appearances.

Neenah, meanwhile, lost three in a row early in the season and started 4-6 overall. The Rockets got quite a bit better from there, and they bring a 13-game winning streak into state, including a 52-48 win over Marshfield in the sectional final. The Rockets are the clear underdog and didn't even appear in the final Division 1 state rankings, but they're on fire.

Brady Corso leads Neenah with 21.6, 5.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He'll play at Division 2 Saint Leo next year.

Charlie Wunderlich adds 13.8 points per game and Luke Jung adds 9.7.

Final numbers from Pewaukee's win over West Salem

The Pirates finished the game shooting 48.4% and 46% from 3-point range (15 of 33) while holding West Salem to 40.6% shooting. The Panthers shot just 7 of 25 from 3-point range.

Luka Momcilovic is credited with 23 points in the box score but he's still being given three free throws that should go to Nick Janowski. Luka has 20 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. He's going to be a big part of Pewaukee's attempt to get back to Madison next year.

West Salem star Tamerrein Henderson was held to just 12 points and almost completely held in check during the second half, committing four fouls after the break and fouling out with 9:30 to go (I even missed that happening in real time, with Pewaukee ahead by nearly 20). He made only one basket after the break and shot 4 of 10 overall.

Kyle Hehli had 17 points for West Salem to lead the Panthers, and Joe Sullivan had 13. As was the case in the girls tournament, Pewaukee defeats West Salem in a D2 semifinal.

Owen Hake also got to 11 points and brought in six rebounds for the Pirates.

That's a wrap. Pewaukee prevails, 89-69

No scoring record, but the Pirates were in control basically the whole game in a 20-point win over West Salem, pitting two conference rivals against each other for tomorrow's state title when the Pirates meet Wisconsin Lutheran.

Nick Janowski's triple double leads the way for Pewaukee. He finishes with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Now he'll try to win a fourth state championship.

Starters are (finally!) out and Pewaukee in striking distance of D2 scoring record

Pewaukee's starters remained on the floor even after West Salem subbed theirs out, and the Pirates are still chucking 3-pointers, but that's finally put to rest with 2:22 to go when the Pirates backups get onto the floor.

The Division 2 record for points in a game belongs to Kaukauna in 2016 and Clintonville in 1977; both scored 91. Pewaukee, meanwhile, has an 87-64 lead with 2 minutes to play.

Janowski comes back in after all, and he GETS THE TRIPLE DOUBLE

Janowski checked back in and quickly picked up a rebound to get his 10th of the night, then an assist off an inbound to give him No. 9. On a fast break, he then clearly knew the triple-double was in reach, throwing a behind-the-back pass in transition to Dawson Farra, but Farra missed the layup.

No matter, Janowski found Owen Hake for a 3-pointer to get his 10th assist of the night.

31 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists. A triple double at the state tournament. Cannot wait to see Janowski-Knueppel Round 3 tomorrow.

Pewaukee leads West Salem, 83-61, with 3:21 to go.

Luka Momcilovic (who has been credited with three Janowski free throws in the official stats, weirdly), has 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Pewaukee's lead is 25 points with 7 minutes to go

Nick Janowski gets fouled shooting a 3-pointer and he makes all three freebies, putting him at 31 points for the game. I think we're going to have to call off triple-double watch though; he was about to get subbed out before the timeout on the floor.

If he doesn't come back, he'll finish with nine rebounds and eight assists. A nice day's work for the Nebraska commit.

Pewaukee has a 72-47 lead over West Salem with 7:04 to go. It'll be Woodland West foes Wisconsin Lutheran and Pewaukee for the Division 2 state title Saturday night.

Triple-double watch continues for Pewaukee star Nick Janowski

With a nifty bounce pass in the lane for a Dawson Farra basket, Nick Janowski is now up to eight assists. Pair that with his 28 points and nine rebounds, and he's still in a spot to get a triple-double with 7:37 to go.

Pewaukee's lead is 68-47.

Luka Momcilovic has been great with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-8 junior has been part of the last two state titles for the Pirates.

It's all falling action as Pewaukee's lead is now 22 points

Nick Janowski needs one more rebound for a double-double and three more assists on top of that for a triple-double. He's got 26 points, nine boards and seven helpers, though other scoring options like Tyler Tiutczenko (8 points) and Luka Momcilovic (15) have been assets, as well.

Pewaukee's lead is 63-41 over West Salem with 10 minutes to play. It feels academic.

West Salem leading scorer Tamarrein Henderson picks up his fourth foul

It's gotten worse for West Salem with star senior Tamarrein Henderson picking up his fourth foul with 13 minutes still to play. As good as Nick Janowski has been on offense (he just scored again to pump his total to 26 points), he's done a great job on defense slowing down Henderson, limiting him to 4 of 10 shooting.

The Pirates lead is 58-39 with 12:10 to go.

West Salem trying to take away Nick Janowski but Pewaukee still up 17

With a defender staying glued to Janowski at midcourt on the last offensive possession for Pewaukee, the Pewaukee guard was content to just stay there at the stripe, and sophomore Tyler Tiutczenko then hit a 3-pointer for the Pirates. It's been that kind of game.

West Salem has been scrappy in the second half, but the lead is still 54-37 for Pewaukee with 14:39 to go.

The halftime numbers favor Pewaukee in a big way

Pewaukee has made 9 of 15 3-pointers, including all three of the takes from Luka Momcilovic. Overall, the Pirates are shooting 54.3%, which certainly plays on any day of the week.

Pewaukee also hasn't committed a turnover while coaxing West Salem into four. The Pirates also have a small advantage on the boards, 17-15, and a healthy lead in assists, 10-4.

Nick Janowski has hit 9 of 14 shots for 22 points, along with five rebounds and four assists. It sure feels like Janowski and Kon Knueppel, two of the highest profile players in the state, are going to meet for a Division 2 title after meeting in the sectional in previous years.

Five different Pirates have hit a three.

Nick Janowski scores at the buzzer and this is a rout

West Salem is going to need a monumental second half to get back into this one.

Nick Janowski's leaning bank shot at the buzzer gives him 22 points for the half, and Pewaukee has a 49-31 lead over the Panthers at the break. Not insurmountable of course, but West Salem isn't even shooting that badly (45%). The Pirates are just playing at a very high level.

One supposes if this is your fourth straight appearance at the state tournament, you'd be comfortable at the Kohl Center.

Pewaukee putting itself in great shape with sudden 17-point lead

The Pirates now have their biggest lead at 44-27 with 2:23 to go before halftime. Pewaukee is shooting 58.6% and just got 3-pointers from Owen Hake and Isaiah Robinson, then a putback by Luka Momcilovic to give him 13 points for the day. Janowski remains at 20 points, and other Pirates are providing the supplement that keeps West Salem from going all in to stop one guy.

Can't rule anything out but after the last game was nip-and-tuck most of the way, this is a different feel.

Luka Momcilovic providing quite the lift for Pirates

I've been focusing on Janowski's excellent first half (20 points) but Luka Momcilovic is now up to 11 points, one shy of his season average with 4 minutes still to go in the first half.

Pewaukee leads West Salem, 36-27. Momcilovic has hit 4 of 6 shots, including all three of his 3-pointers.

Again, Luka's brother, Milan, is a freshman starter for Iowa State, which I may just pick to reach the Final Four this year.

Pewaukee's lead is 31-24 with 5:09 to go

Janowski is up to 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting, and he's also been guarding West Salem star Tamarrein Henderson on the other end. The Pirates have led by as many as 10 points, and Luka Momcilovic has 8 points for the Pirates as well.

Henderson is just 3 of 7 shooting but West Salem is still shooting 50% to stay close.

The offense is cooking thus far between Pewaukee and West Salem, and Nick Janowski already has 16 points

Pewaukee holds a 22-16 lead with 9:40 left in the first half, with Nick Janowski up to 16 points already. The record for Division 2 in a state-tournament game, by the way, belongs to John Diener of Cedarburg, who had 46 in 2017. In case you're wondering.

West Salem shooting 50% and Pewaukee shooting 62% thus far.

Pewaukee has a 12-9 lead with 13:07 to go in first half

Nick Janowski has 10 points already on 4 of 5 shooting, and Tamarrein Henderson has 4 points for West Salem as the Pirates grab an early edge. Looks like both teams' star players will be busy in this one.

Nick Janowski has 7 points right out of the blocks for Pewaukee

Pewaukee's star player doesn't need time to get warmed up. He scores his team's first 7 points, including a 3-pointer, as Pewaukee jumps out to a 7-2 lead on West Salem (though the Panthers answered with a Joe Sullivan 3-pointer to make it 7-5, then tied the game on a Tamarrein Henderson layup.

So it's 7-7 with 14:30 to go. West Salem doesn't have much size but they are going to shoot a lot. Seven different guys have shot at least 16 three-pointers this year, and five have shot 30 or more.

Up next in the other Division 2 semifinal: Pewaukee (24-4) and West Salem (25-3)

There was a time when the Pewaukee basketball program was one of the best-kept secrets in the state because it kept winning but couldn't break through to the state tournament. Before the pandemic, the boys and girls programs had combined for one state appearance in 2001, a heartbreaking loss in the state final.

But now the boys are the three-time reigning state champions and the girls have qualified three times in four years (with their first title last week).

This year's Pewaukee team isn't the juggernaut of the past three because Milan Momcilovic is gone, starting for one of the best college teams in the country as a freshman this year in Iowa State. But Nick Janowski, a Nebraska recruit, is still here and hungry to finish with four titles.

Janowski averages an eye-popping 31.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, plus he still finds time for 3.9 assists. The ultra-strong 6-3 guard gets some help from Milan's younger brother, 6-8 big man Luka Momcilovic (12.0 points, 6.4 boards per game) and Owen Hake (10.2 points per game).

And in another bit of serendipity with the girls program, the boys face West Salem ... the program Pewaukee's girls team defeated in last week's state semifinal.

The Panthers are led by Tamarrein Henderson, a 6-3 senior who average 19.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Kyle Hehli adds 16.3 points per game and has amassed 64 steals this year.

The winner gets Wisconsin Lutheran tomorrow night.

Final numbers from Wisconsin Lutheran and Nicolet

Trying to get my heartbeat back under control after a wild finish.

Kon Knueppel finished with 26 points, seven assists and seven rebounds for Wisconsin Lutheran. The play of the day, though, was his block in the final minute to erase what would have been a go-ahead basket for Nicolet, setting up the final possession. Knueppel fell down on that one, but got the ball to sophomore Zavier Zens, who found a wide open Alex Greene under the basket for the winning basket.

Knueppel did all that with four fouls down the stretch.

Greene finished with only 6 points. Logan Rindlfleisch had 11 for Wisco, and Zavier Zens had nine with four boards and two assists, including the huge last one.

Wisconsin Lutheran moves to 29-0 and will look to cap an undefeated season tomorrow.

Nicolet played an unreal game and had a lead after going behind by 10 points past the second-half midway point. Nacir Beamon finished with 21 points, two steals and three boards. Davion Hannah had 15 with seven rebounds and two assists. Damon Landrum hit a massive 3-pointer to give Nicolet a lead in the final minute.

Extraordinarily well-played game that lived up to the hype of the moment. Wisco shot 67% for the game, including 13 of 16 in the second half, and it still required heroics to fend off Nicolet, which finishes 24-5 and absolutely deserves its placement as one of the best teams in the state.

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN WINS AT THE BUZZER

Wow, what an incredible finish.

First, Kon Knueppel hit a turnaround jumper with less than one minute to play, then he positively ERASES a driving Nicolet layup on the other end for a block that keeps the game tied and puts the ball back in the Vikings' hands.

Wisconsin Lutheran holds for the last shot. Knueppel falls down driving toward the sideline, but it goes right into the hands of Zavier Zens, who then finds Alex Greene under the basket for a layup with less than 2 seconds to go. What a finish.

Final: Wisconsin Lutheran 56, Nicolet 54. The Knights fall at the buzzer for the second straight season in the Division 2 semifinal.

Nicolet has the LEAD with 2 minutes to go

Damon Landrum had taken just two shots all game but pulls up for a 3-pointer that gives Nicolet a 54-52 lead with 1:56 to go. What a performance by the Knights, who then ignite a tie-up on the other end. Matthew McKay gets credit for the steal with the possession arrow favoring Nicolet.

Kon Knueppel playing with four fouls but has 24 points to lead Wisconsin Lutheran. Nacir Beamon has been incredible for Nicolet and has 21. It's coming down to the wire, and undefeated Wisco is up against it.

Back and forth we go, and Wisconsin Lutheran has a 2-point lead with 4:19 left

Zavier Zens scored off an assist from Knueppel (his sixth), and Nicolet turned it over on a Davion Hannah offensive foul on the other end. Wisconsin Lutheran's lead is 49-47, but the Vikings have the ball back with roughly 4 minutes left in this game.

Nicolet comes STORMING BACK to tie this game

The Kohl Center is on fire. Davion Hannah's reverse layup ties the game at 47 and Nicolet makes a 10-point lead disappear in a snap. OH, and by the way, Kon Knueppel now has four fouls for Wisconsin Lutheran.

Nicolet's defense has been unreal, generating a 5-second call and turnover at midcourt to set up some successful offense. Nacir Beamon is on one, now up to 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range.

Buckle up for a wild finish.

Don't count out Nicolet! Back to a 5-point game

Nacir Beamon converted a steal into a dunk for Nicolet, and Wisconsin Lutheran had to call timeout before getting a 10-second violation on what followed. That all came moments after a Davion Hannah 3-point play, and Nicolet has suddenly cut a 10-point Wisco lead in half, down to 45-40 with 7:26 to play.

Kon Knueppel up to 21 points and Wisconsin Lutheran has a foothold

Kon Knueppel missed the free throw that followed after drawing contact, but his tough basket through traffic gave him 19 points for the day. On the other end, a Nicolet 3-point attempt goes around and out, and David Bolden has drawn his fourth personal foul. Knueppel finished that possession with another basket (he's scored his team's last 10 points), and the lead is now 43-35 for Wisconsin Lutheran with 8:35 to go.

Danger zone for Nicolet.

Knueppel has scored 6 straight for Wisconsin Lutheran

Nicolet has been fighting for rebounds to keep possessions alive, but the Knights haven't been able to generate good looks against Wisconsin Lutheran's defense. Meanwhile, Kon Knueppel has scored 6 straight points for Wisconsin Lutheran.

The Vikings now lead, 39-34, with 10:30 to go in the Division 2 semifinal. Knueppel has 17 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Nicolet re-takes the lead, but Wisco grabs it right back. Are we headed for another thrilling Nicolet finish?

Last year, the Knights were a missed shot at the buzzer away from defeating powerhouse Pewaukee in the state semifinal, and the Pirates went on to win their third straight state title. This year, the presumptive favorite is also scratching and clawing to get past Nicolet.

Undefeated Wisconsin Lutheran has a 35-32 lead with 13:20 to go in this game after a Kon Knueppel drive and score. The Knights had briefly taken a 1-point lead before sophomore Zavier Zens went up with a left-handed layup to reclaim it for the Vikings, followed by Knueppel's score that gave him 13 points for the day.

Is history going to repeat for Nicolet?

Hello! Logan Reindfleisch with the dunk off long pass from Knueppel

Kon Knueppel doesn't average 5 assists per game by accident. He just threw an impressive two handed diagonal pass down the court and hit Logan Rindlfleisch in stride, leading to a dunk and a 5-point lead. Impressive play.

Nicolet, though, picked up a 3-pointer from Nacir Beamon and is lingering within 31-29 with 15:21 to go.

Some halftime numbers between Nicolet and Wisconsin Lutheran

Nicolet has made three triples to Wisconsin Lutheran's two, but the Knights have needed a lot more shots (nine to four) to make that happen. Nicolet still has a rebounding edge, 12-9, but has now turned it over five times to Wisco's four. With just one assist for Nicolet in the half, it illustrates how reliant Nicolet has been on one-on-one playmaking and jump shots offensively. That worked for a while but it got tougher by the end of the half.

Davion Hannah is 2 for 7 for Nicolet, though he does lead the Knights with 8 points. Nacir Beamon also has 6 and has been tasked with trying to keep Kon Knueppel in check. It was a pretty decent half in that regard, though the deep 3-pointer before the buzzer makes the half a little better for the future Duke Blue Devil.

Kon Knueppel buries deep 3-pointer to beat the buzzer and give Wisco a halftime lead

Great players make plays like that one to close the half.

After Nicolet was called for traveling with a little more than 2 seconds left before the end of the half, Wisco quickly got the ball upcourt to Knueppel, who pulled up for a long, contested 3-pointer as the horn sounded that swished through. That breaks the tie and gives Wisconsin Lutheran a 29-26 halftime lead in a game Nicolet has led most of the way.

Nicolet worked its tail off in that half and still has to face a deficit at the break.

Knueppel has 11 points to lead all scorers on 4 of 9 shooting, and he also has four rebounds. Sophomore Zavier Zens has 5 points and four boards as well for the Vikings.

Wisconsin Lutheran right back into it in final minute before halftime

This might be the Kon Knueppel show, but Wisconsin Lutheran has a ton of youth on this team. Knueppel is one of just four seniors on the entire roster, and sophomore Zavier Zens (who stands 6-6) is going to be a big contributor going forward. He's already the third leading scorer on the team at 9.6 points and just hit a 3-pointer to bring Wisconsin Lutheran within 1 point.

Then, senior Logan Rindlfleisch scored and drew a foul with 53 seconds left, then hit the free throw to tie the game at 26.

Kon's younger brother, Kager, is a freshman on this team, and two more Knueppel brothers just led St. John's Wauwatosa to the Lutheran middle schools state championship.

Nicolet is not messing around, taking a 6-point lead on Wisconsin Lutheran

The Knights are not here to simply be a subplot on the Wisconsin Lutheran-Pewaukee collision course. Nicolet now has a 24-18 lead with 3:30 left to play in the first half, with Davion Hannah just splitting a pair of free throws. Nicolet has an 11-7 rebounding edge and forced four turnovers (committed three) to get up a five more shots than the Vikings.

Hannah has eight points to lead all scorers.

Knights winning with jump shots in nip-and-tuck battle thus far

Nicolet has 12 players on its roster and not a single one listed below 6-feet tall, so it's not quite accurate to say they lack size. But Wisco can bring 6-6, 6-5 and 6-5 in the paint, and the Knights are typically trying to shoot over the Vikings unless they get a fast-break opportunity.

And it's working. Nacir Beamon in particular is 3 of 4 from the field, and Davion Hannah just drove and scored to give his team an 18-16 lead on Wisconsin Lutheran with 6:08 to go in the first half. Hannah has 5 points and Beamon has six.

Kon Knueppel has 6 to lead Wisco, though he's just 2 for 6 shooting thus far. The Vikings have seen a couple shots bounce out after appearing halfway down the cylinder.

Ouch! Camera man gets drilled with a stray pass from Nicolet

Working the base line at a state tournament can be risky business. A screaming pass out of bounds by Davion Hannah struck the camera man seated under the hoop and also gave the ball back to Wisconsin Lutheran. He saved the camera though!

It's tied at 10-10 with 10:33 to go in the first half. Nicolet is 2 of 6 from 3-point range and Wisco hasn't attempted a shot from long range yet. Kon Knueppel has 4 points for Wisco.

At the first play stoppage, Nicolet has a 7-6 lead

The Knights have an early rebounding edge with 13:33 to go in the first half, 5-2. Neither team has a player who has scored more than one basket.

Nacir Beamon with the task of slowing down Kon Knueppel

It's 6-4 Nacir Beamon with the job of trying to slow down the 6-6 Duke University recruit Kon Knueppel in man-to-man early, and Beamon is giving it all he's got. He didn't stop a Knueppel jumper on the first possession despite his efforts but was able to gum things up on a miss on a subsequent possession.

The Knights are game for the fight early, taking a 7-4 lead over Wisco. Three different Nicolet players have scored and none are Davion Hannah yet.

The Knights return their entire starting five from the team that went to state last year, and they have the luxury of using Matthew McKay and Damon Landrum Jr. occasionally off the bench with the addition of Beamon.

A whole lot of Milwaukee area on the way today

We're set for Wisco-Nicolet, with Pewaukee to play after (against West Salem), then Marquette against Kettle Moraine and Arrowhead (against Neenah) later today. Throw in St. Thomas More and Kenosha St. Joseph, who will both play tomorrow, and there's a metric ton of Milwaukee still to come here at the boys basketball state tournament.

Nicolet standouts Beamon and Hannah were reunited this year

Zac Bellman wrote about the unusual path taken by Nacir Beamon, Nicolet's second-leading scorer, to get here. Beamon attended a prep academy in Arizona but previously played with leading scorer Davion Hannah at Milwaukee Academy of Science two years ago.

Both moved on after the 2021-22 season, with Hannah coming to Nicolet and Beamon heading west. But now he's back, and this time he's attending Nicolet.

So even though Hannah has only been here twice with Nicolet, this will be his third state tournament, when he and Beamon led Milwaukee Academy of Science to the Division 4 semifinals two years ago. Hannah, of course, could make it four years next year as a senior.

Next up: Wisconsin Lutheran (28-0) vs. Nicolet (24-4) in Division 2 semifinal

We're about to see Duke University recruit Kon Knueppel at state for the first time, trying to finish off an undefeated season and first state championship for the program since 2014. But man, what a tough draw for the No. 1 seed in Division 2 with Nicolet, a squad that promised it would be back last year after missing a shot at the buzzer to take down now three-time reigning state champion Pewaukee.

Knueppel is the main event, of course. He was named Mr. Basketball earlier this week and is one of the biggest names in prep basketball. He averages 26.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and a gaudy 5.0 assists per game for Wisco, which has only been truly tested a couple times this year. Once was a 70-68 win over reigning Division 1 champion De Pere and Pewaukee gave it its best effort in a 72-64 Wisco win during conference play.

Pewaukee and Wisco usually meet in the sectional, where the Pirates have been a roadblock for Wisco. This year, Lutheran is seen as the better team but there wasn't a sectional matchup; if seeds hold, the two best programs in Division 2 will meet for a gold ball tomorrow instead.

Don't sleep on Longa Rindlfleisch, who averages 13.8 points per game for Wisco.

But Nicolet has its own standouts in Davion Hannah (19.2 points, 8.5 rebounds per game) and Nacir Beamon (18.4 points and 4.0 rebounds). Hannah, still just a junior, has gotten a number of Division I college offers, including Michigan State, Iowa, Iowa State and, yes, Wisconsin.

Nicolet came so close to beating Pewaukee on this floor last year. Wisco isn't going to get a freebie here.

The Knights have two out of state losses, one in overtime to Division 3 title favorite St. Thomas More and once to Cedarburg, 79-74. The Knights also have wins over some strong programs like Homestead (twice), Dominican and Ashwaubenon.

Abundant Life Christian, Columbus Catholic advance to Division 5 final

It'll be Abundant Life Christian (28-2) and Columbus Catholic (28-2) in the Division 5 championship game at 11:05 a.m. Saturday.

In Thursday's semifinals, Abundant Life Christian defeated Almond-Bancroft, 42-37, while Columbus Catholic topped Solon Springs, 78-65.

Abundant Life Christian hangs on to defeat Almond-Bancroft in a Division 5 semifinal

Abundant Life Christian scored the last four points of the game to win the Division 5 semifinal over Almond-Bancroft, 42-37.

Almond-Bancroft closed to within one twice, at 37-36 and 38-37, but Jacob Koon scored on a driving layup and Nolan Wallace made two free throws to close it out.

Jonah Koon scored 13 points and Jacob Koon 11 to lead the Challengers, who won despite shooting 17% from the field in the second half. They made six of nine free throws, though.

Aydan Phillips scored 17 points and had 22 rebounds to lead the Eagles.

Heading toward a tight finish between Abundant Life Christian, Almond-Bancroft

We're looking at an exciting finish in the Division 5 semifinal between Abundant Life Christian and Almond-Bancroft.

Abundant Life leads 36-34 with 2:16 left as Almond-Bancroft is making a push.

Abundant Life pushes lead to six over Almond-Bancroft

Abundant Life leads 36-30 over Almond-Bancroft with 5:30 left in the game.

The Eagles had cut the lead to 32-30 with 6:39 left but baskets by Jimmitrius Davison and Jacob Koon pushed the Challengers' lead back to six.

Almond-Bancroft closing the gap on Abundant Life Christian

We've got 10:51 left in this Division 5 semifinal and Abundant Life Christian is holding on to a slight lead over Almond-Bancroft, 30-27.

Abundant Life is shooting 1-for-11 in the second half, allowing Almond-Bancroft to close the gap.

Abundant Life Christian leads Almond-Bancroft by nine at halftime

Abundant Life Christian is riding some hot shooting to take a 28-19 halftime lead over Almond-Bancroft in the second Division 5 semifinal of the day.

Jonah Koon has 11 points to lead the Challengers, who shot 50% from the field, including four of nine three-pointers.

Brody Dernbach has nine points and Ayden Phillips eight for the Eagles, who are shooting 32%.

Abundant Life Christian with early lead over Almond-Bancroft

And we're off in the second Division 5 semifinal. Abundant Life Christian of Madison leads Almond-Bancroft 14-7 with 10:30 left in the first half.

Jonah Koon has seven points for Abundant Life, which is shooting 46% from the field.

Almond-Bancroft has been hurt by 30% shooting and six turnovers. Brody Dernbach has all seven points for the Eagles.

Columbus Catholic pulls away to beat Solon Springs in the Division 5 semifinals

Columbus Catholic wins it, 78-65, over Solon Springs in the first game of the day, a Division 5 semifinal.

Columbus' Blake Jakobi made four free throws in the last 1:04 to give the Dons a 72-65 lead. Then Charlie Moore made two free throws to make it 74-65.

Solon Springs didn't score in the last 2:56 of the game.

Cy Becker finished with a game-high 24 points for the Dons on 9-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-6 on three-pointers. Charlie Moore added 15 points and Emmitt Konieczny 14.

Columbus Catholic set a Division 5 state-tournament record with 13 three-pointers.

Dylan Taggert scores 22 points and Isaiah Kastern had 19 for Solon Springs.

It's a close one going down to the wire between Columbus Catholic, Solon Springs

With 1:30 left, Columbus Catholic leads 68-65. Cy Becker had 24 points for Columbus, while Dylan Taggert has 22 and Isaiah Kastern 19 for Solon Springs.

Some new hot hands for Solon Springs, Columbus Catholic in second half

With 7:04 left, Solon Springs is up 55-54 over Columbus Catholic. For Solon Springs, Owen Smith is heating up, with eight second-half points. For Columbus, it's Charlie Moore, who has 10 second-half points.

Columbus Catholic with slight lead midway through second half

It's still a tight game between Columbus Catholic and Solon Springs halfway through the second half, with Columbus leading 52-50.

Cy Becker has 22 points for Columbus, while Dylan Taggert has 18 for Solon Springs.

Charlie Moore sparks Columbus Catholic early in second half

Columbus' Charlie Moore scored five points in the first three minutes of the second half as the Dons jumped out to a 41-38 lead with 15:17 left in the game.

Solon Springs has four-point halftime lead over Columbus Catholic

It's been a battle between two hot shooters as Solon Springs took a 36-32 halftime lead over Columbus Catholic in their Division 5 semifinal.

Solon Springs' Dylan Taggert has 15 points, including four of nine on three-point shooting, while Columbus' Cy Becker has 17 points, including four of five three-pointers.

Solon Springs' Taggert off to a hot start in Division 5 semifinal

It's a tight game early in the opener Friday — Solon Springs leads Columbus Catholic 24-22 with 5:19 left in the first half.

Solon Springs' Dylan Taggert is off to a hot start with 12 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting.

Cy Becker had nine points to lead Columbus.

Wisconsin high school boys basketball state tournament schedule today

DIVISION 5

Columbus Catholic 78, Solon Springs 65 (RECAP)

Abundant Life Christian 42, Almond-Bancroft 37 (RECAP)

DIVISION 2

Wisconsin Lutheran (28-0) vs. Nicolet (24-4), 1:35 p.m.

Pewaukee (24-4) vs. West Salem (25-3), approximately 15 minutes after Wisconsin Lutheran-Nicolet

What to watch: WIAA Division 2 boys state basketball storylines

More: Wisconsin Lutheran's Kon Knueppel named Mr. Basketball by WBCA

DIVISION 1

Arrowhead (25-2) vs. Neenah (21-7), 6:35 p.m.

Kettle Moraine (25-3) vs. Marquette (24-4), approximately 15 minutes after Arrowhead-Neenah

What to watch: WIAA Division 1 boys basketball storylines

How to watch the Wisconsin high school boys basketball state tournament on TV, streaming

The state tournament games are televised live on WVTV (Ch. 24) in Milwaukee and across the state on WCWF (Green Bay/Fox Valley), WAOW (Wausau), WQOW (Eau Claire), WXOW (La Crosse) and WKOW (Madison). Livestreaming will be available on the WIAA's Magic of March app.

Wisconsin high school boys basketball state tournament schedule Saturday

DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP

Semifinal winners, approximately 15 minutes after Division 2 championship

DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP

Semifinal winners, 6:35 p.m.

DIVISION 3 CHAMPIONSHIP

St. Thomas More (28-1) vs. Lakeside Lutheran (27-2), approximately 15 minutes after Division 4 championship

DIVISION 4 CHAMPIONSHIP

Kenosha St. Joseph (20-9) vs. Mineral Point (27-2), approximately 15 minutes after Division 5 championship

DIVISION 5 CHAMPIONSHIP

Columbus Catholic (28-2) vs. Abundant Life Christian (27-2), 11:05 a.m.

Wisconsin high school boys basketball state tournament scores Thursday

DIVISION 3

• St. Thomas More 68, Prescott 45 (RECAP)

• Lakeside Lutheran 57, Kiel 55 (RECAP)

DIVISION 4

• Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic 46, Marathon 37 (RECAP)

• Mineral Point 62, Aquinas 61 (RECAP)

WIAA basketball state tournament tickets 2024

Want to see all the talent in-person at the Kohl Center?

Here's ticket info:

Tickets cost $13.50 per session for all seats. You can purchase tickets by clicking on "Tickets" at the top of the WIAA website or on the tickets page here.

Wisconsin boys basketball state tournament carry-in policy

If you go to the game, here's what you should know about what you can carry in:

2023 WIAA boys basketball state champions

Division 1: De Pere beat Arrowhead, 69-49

Division 2: Pewaukee beat Whitnall, 71-54

Division 3: Brillion beat West Salem, 61-55

Division 4: Luther beat Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic, 60-46

Division 5: Newman Catholic beat McDonell Catholic, 66-54

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Wisconsin boys basketball high school state tournament Friday recap