Wisconsin Lutheran High School Basketball: Road to the Championship

Wisconsin Lutheran vs. Appleton North: State Semifinal Showdown

Madison, WI – The stage is set for an electrifying Wisconsin high school basketball state semifinal as the undefeated #1 Wisconsin Lutheran High School (28-0) prepares to face the challenging #4 Appleton North (24-4) at the Kohl Center. This Friday night matchup promises a thrilling contest, with both teams vying for a spot in the championship final.

Appleton North’s Historic Run

Appleton North has reached unprecedented heights, securing their first-ever appearance in the state tournament. Their victory over rival Kaukauna in the Division 1 sectional final propelled them to this momentous occasion. Senior Nathan Ramus expressed the team’s excitement, stating, “State is so cool! It’s going to be a great experience, and all the hard work we’ve put in throughout the last four years, and even when we were kids, it’s just going to mean everything to end our careers there. We’ve worked so hard to get here.”

Preparing for a Goliath

Coach Chris Kellett emphasized the importance of resetting and focusing on the task ahead. “It’s been a whirlwind, and for us reaching our goals, that we set at the start of the season, goals that we’ve never reached before,” he said. “Just trying to get the players to kind of calm down, take a deep breath, and then kind of reset and start over. And then obviously preparing for Wisconsin Lutheran through a snowstorm has been quite challenging as well.”

Wisconsin Lutheran’s Dominance

Wisconsin Lutheran enters the game with an impressive 28-0 record and a legacy of recent success, having clinched state championships in Division 1 last year and Division 2 the year prior. Their overall record over the last three seasons stands at a remarkable 86-2. Despite their formidable reputation, Appleton North isn’t backing down.

Lightning Ready to Strike

“Wisconsin Lutheran is a great team,” Ramus confidently stated. “We know we’re going to have to beat them at some point, so might as well beat them the first night. We know we’ve got to win two games to win state. That’s the goal, so yeah, nothing changes.” Senior Grant Hardy added, “They were deserving of a number one ranking, you know, all year, they’re a great team, well coached. They went down to South Carolina, you know, they won that tournament. They’re long, skilled, they’re a great team. I think people will overlook the FVA, and how tough that is. We’re prepared for this moment, I think. We’re just kind of waiting for the moment to strike, and we’re excited to show the state of what we’re about.”

Game Details

Semifinals: Friday, 6:35 p.m. at the Kohl Center, Madison, WI
Championship Final: Saturday (15 minutes following completion of Division 2 championship game)

Don’t miss the action as Appleton North attempts to upset the reigning champions! Follow Doug Ritchay on X @dougritchay for live updates.