LANCASTER - Darlington's dream season came to a crashing halt Saturday. The Redbirds were knocked out of the WIAA Division 4 tournament in a regional final game with rival and co-SWAL champion Cuba City, 45-42.
Senior sharpshooter Alex Erickson, who has averaged nearly 23 points per game this year for the Redbirds (22-3), was held to just nine points. Brandon Hardyman led Darlington with 16 points and forward Zach Brown, who struggled with foul trouble, ended with just six.
Both teams were tied at 8 after the first quarter and the Cubans led 20-17 at halftime. Darlington's deficit reached five points after three quarters, finding itself behind 30-25.
Cuba City (21-3) moves on to the sectional semifinals where it will play Cambridge (19-5) Thursday night at Monroe.
WIAA Division 3 Clinton 47,
Brodhead 40
WALWORTH - Wisconsin-Milwaukee recruit J.J. Panoske saw his high school career come to an end in a WIAA Division 3 regional final against Clinton. Panoske, a 6-foot-10 senior, scored 28 points with four 3-pointers in his final contest.
Brodhead (14-10) used a 13-3 run in the third quarter to open up a 32-25 lead on Clinton (21-3). However, the Cougars went on a 22-8 fourth quarter run to cap a three-game season sweep of the Cardinals.
Brandon McKee scored six points for Brodhead, which couldn't find another go-to threat to match with Panoske.
Clinton will now move on to the sectional semifinals, where it will take on Lakeside Lutheran (23-1) on Thursday at Janesville Craig.
Senior sharpshooter Alex Erickson, who has averaged nearly 23 points per game this year for the Redbirds (22-3), was held to just nine points. Brandon Hardyman led Darlington with 16 points and forward Zach Brown, who struggled with foul trouble, ended with just six.
Both teams were tied at 8 after the first quarter and the Cubans led 20-17 at halftime. Darlington's deficit reached five points after three quarters, finding itself behind 30-25.
Cuba City (21-3) moves on to the sectional semifinals where it will play Cambridge (19-5) Thursday night at Monroe.
WIAA Division 3 Clinton 47,
Brodhead 40
WALWORTH - Wisconsin-Milwaukee recruit J.J. Panoske saw his high school career come to an end in a WIAA Division 3 regional final against Clinton. Panoske, a 6-foot-10 senior, scored 28 points with four 3-pointers in his final contest.
Brodhead (14-10) used a 13-3 run in the third quarter to open up a 32-25 lead on Clinton (21-3). However, the Cougars went on a 22-8 fourth quarter run to cap a three-game season sweep of the Cardinals.
Brandon McKee scored six points for Brodhead, which couldn't find another go-to threat to match with Panoske.
Clinton will now move on to the sectional semifinals, where it will take on Lakeside Lutheran (23-1) on Thursday at Janesville Craig.
