MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) – Both Appleton North’s and De Pere’s state runs came to an end in the Division 1 semifinals on Friday night.
The Lightning gave reigning champ Wisconsin Lutheran all they could handle, clawing to within two points after trailing by double digits at halftime.
Nathan Ramus led the way for the Phoenix with 20 points, and sophomore Matthew Rosplochowski chipped in another 18.
“Going into the game, everyone thought we were going to get rolled. Everybody thought that. We gave them a run for their money. That’s all because we played together,” said Rosplochowski
“We believed every day in practice. We know we can beat anyone. We can play with any team in the state, and we showed that tonight. We always had faith because every day, day in and day out, we put our work in at practice. We worked for these kinds of moments, and it showed tonight we can play with anyone,” said Ramus.
Wisconsin Lutheran advanced to the title game with a 68-61 victory.
Who would face them?
That would be decided between De Pere and Madison Memorial, with the Redbirds making their second trip to the Kohl Center in four years.
The Spartans, on the other hand, shot the lights out down the road from their high school.
Memorial shot 70% from behind the three-point line on Friday, accounting for 36 of their 75 points.
Madison Memorial led by one at the break and ran out to a 19-point lead in the second half on the way to a 75-62 win.
Jack Bookter led the way for De Pere with 18 points in the semifinals.
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