While it didn't come without some sweat and nerves, the first-year coach's Vikings came through with a 36-32 victory over Shullsburg at Pecatonica High School in a WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinal Tuesday night.
The Miners dug themselves out of a 21-11 halftime hole to make things interesting and even trailed just 32-30 with about two minutes to play.
Pecatonica senior guard Drew Moen went inside and out to lead all scorers with 15 points, while Brooks Lutes had 12 for Shullsburg.
Vikings senior captain Brandon Meudt struggled to find his shot and, even when he found a look, he and his mates were uncharacteristically cold throughout.
"He just didn't get his looks and they're a very good defensive team," Syse said. "We knew that coming in."
The Vikings hit just four of their seven fourth-quarter free throws to keep the Miners on the hook, but that will be a distant memory come Thursday when the Vikings face top-seeded and undefeated Benton. The Zephyrs were the squad to knock Pecatonica out of the postseason last year.
"In tournament games, it's survive and move on," Syse said. "You're not going to get any better anymore, you know what you are and just have to find a way to win ballgames."
EDGERTON REGIONAL>
No. 3 Juda 64, No. 6 Johnson Creek 47> Trailing 22-21 at halftime, Panthers head coach Andy Werner didn't draw on a Hollywood coach speech. He just spoke from a fired-up heart.
"(It was) a good, old-fashioned tell them their season's on the line (speech)," Werner said.
Juda responded with a 29-11 third quarter that sent the Panthers over the edge with a victory. Beau Benner and Kurtis Mansfield had 10 points apiece in the huge point outburst. Mansfield finished with 26 points and Benner 21.
"The kids responded," Werner said, "forcing (the Bluejays) to play a little faster."
Werner appreciated the play of Elias Klar, who had four points but provided much more for the Panthers that doesn't make it into the box score. "He did every hustle stat you could ask for," Wener said.
No. 2 Burlington Catholic Central 71, No. 7 Albany 35>
Upon arriving in Burlington, the Comets were greeted by a veritable Division 4 buzzsaw.
Catholic Central stormed out to a 17-4 lead after one quarter and never looked back in Tuesday night's regional quarterfinal, much thanks to tenacious defense.
"Their overall athleticism lets them play man-to-man, in-your-shorts defense and we panicked a little bit," Albany coach Derik Doescher said.
The Comets coach commended his junior point guard, Lance Hulbert, for not flinching and contributing a lot more than his eight points showed. "He had a lot of assists, not a single turnover I can recollect and just wasn't scared," Doescher said. "He's a competitor and he's going to come out and get after it every night."
Comets junior T.J. Zweifel led his club with 14 points and Albany loses just one senior in Marc Johnson heading into next year.
DARLINGTON REGIONAL>
No. 2 Black Hawk 51, No. 7 Argyle 34>
Argyle's Andy Bohlman did what he could for the seventh-seeded Orioles, but the talented Warriors were too much to handle.
Bohlman drilled five 3-pointers and had a game-high 22 points, but No. 2 seed Black Hawk prevailed at home. Warrior standouts Alex Abraham and Michael Place had 13 and 12 points, respectively, and will now gear up for rival Monticello on Thursday.
DIVISION 3>
No. 3 Darlington 52, No. 6 Beloit Turner 43>
If Tucker Wiegel decides to play baseball in the spring, the freshman might work out well at the top of the lineup card.
"He sets the table for everybody else," Mike Hopkins said.
Weigel had only one point, but his defensive intensity in the fourth quarter gave the Redbirds a spark and helped lead Darlington to a 25-17 fourth quarter and a WIAA Division 3 regional quarterfinal victory.
Older brother Kyler (14 points) and the Erickson brothers, Mitchell (14) and Alex (15), were the beneficiaries of Tucker's hard work as they led Darlington in the scorebook.
DIVISION 2>
VERONA REGIONAL>
No. 3 Dodgeville 82, No. 6 Brodhead 41>
The Dodgers are looking like a well-oiled machine.
Eric Van Dyn Hoven had 21 points and Bryan Rundhaug hit four 3-pointers and had 16 points as the Dodgers doubled up the Cardinals in a Division 2 regional quarterfinal victory in Dodgeville.
The Dodgers scored 20 or more points in three quarters in the rout. The Cardinals only trailed by three, 15-12, after the first quarter. Micah Wallace had eight points to lead Brodhead in the season-ending loss.
