MADISON - Even in the fourth quarter, which opened with Black Hawk trailing Wausau Newman 53-28 in a WIAA Division 5 state semifinal game, the Warriors never gave up. More impressively, they had smiles on their faces as the clock wound down.
"You have to look past (the score). We've had a great run," said senior guard Melissa Wellnitz. "A loss at state, being there for the third year in a row, you can't hang your head over that. Life goes on."
In the final quarter, the Warriors decided to just have fun with the rare state experience, which has become awfully familiar the past couple of seasons.
"In the end, when we knew we were going to lose, we just wanted to have fun," said freshman Jen Wellnitz. "You can't fix (the score). I was just happy we made it. It's always been my goal. That's all I've really wanted. A win would have been nice, but I'll take it."
Not only did the players continue to play as if every possession mattered (when the scoreboard clearly indicated it didn't), but Black Hawk's starters stood and cheered on their teammates in the final two minutes of regulation.
"I enjoyed (playing) while it lasted and had to cheer on the other girls who have been cheering me on all season," Melissa Wellnitz said.
With Melissa Wellnitz, who was playing in her fourth state game in three years, leading the way, Warriors players looked on as some of their teammates picked up a valuable experience. One of those was senior Lacy Sigafus, who drained a jump shot that sent Warrior Nation jumping into the air in celebration.
"We talked in the huddle and knew to just have fun with (the game)," said Jen Wellnitz, who had three of her nine rebounds in one possession late in fourth quarter. "We had a minute, 56 seconds left for your high school career, so we just went out and put up some shots. They weren't falling, but it was fun."
Leave it to Black Hawk, a school that has only one other program reach state in the last two decades (football) to show all of Wisconsin the attitude that surrounds the school - no sulking, play for your teammates, represent your school, and keep a level head.
In their third straight WIAA state appearance, the Warriors had one of their best showings. Sure, a year ago they made it to the state championship and lost by 34 to the same team, but the way they composed themselves all year, no losses in their first 26 games, and sticking together through injuries and illnesses despite just a roster of 10 players, Black Hawk more than deserved the right to play on television.
"It was amazing," said senior guard Alyssa Piefer, who drilled a late 3-pointer in the loss. "We were starting to make shots and it was our downfall in the beginning because we couldn't get it in the hoop. When it started going in we started feeling a little bit better. It just wasn't enough."
Next year, with five players graduating, three of which starters - Rachel Rygh, Melissa Wellnitz and Alyssa Piefer - the Warriors will still be the favorites in their sectional to open the season. With the way Kayla Meier played, the inside game of Kate Quinn, the defense and experience of Chaesta Shager and Katie Powers, plus the abnormal awareness and physical ability of freshman Jen Wellnitz, Black Hawk has every right to be in the conversation again next year. And yes, head coach Mike Flanagan will still be the coach.
"It was a great experience and I just hope we can make it back next year. We should have a great team next year," junior Kayla Meier said.
Jen Wellnitz said she's going to miss playing with her sister and the seniors, but now it is her turn to lead the program.
"I'm ready. I'll still miss 'em, because I always liked having a sister on my team, but I'll get over it," Jen said.
Sister Melissa, who played with three sisters in four years, said it was a fun experience all around.
"It's been great. Last year playing with Kim, that was one of my favorite seasons ever because her and Katie (Place) we've hung out ever since we were little," Melissa said. "I couldn't have asked for a better way to be on my team that with my sisters. My freshman year I had two sisters on my team - how great is that?"
"You have to look past (the score). We've had a great run," said senior guard Melissa Wellnitz. "A loss at state, being there for the third year in a row, you can't hang your head over that. Life goes on."
In the final quarter, the Warriors decided to just have fun with the rare state experience, which has become awfully familiar the past couple of seasons.
"In the end, when we knew we were going to lose, we just wanted to have fun," said freshman Jen Wellnitz. "You can't fix (the score). I was just happy we made it. It's always been my goal. That's all I've really wanted. A win would have been nice, but I'll take it."
Not only did the players continue to play as if every possession mattered (when the scoreboard clearly indicated it didn't), but Black Hawk's starters stood and cheered on their teammates in the final two minutes of regulation.
"I enjoyed (playing) while it lasted and had to cheer on the other girls who have been cheering me on all season," Melissa Wellnitz said.
With Melissa Wellnitz, who was playing in her fourth state game in three years, leading the way, Warriors players looked on as some of their teammates picked up a valuable experience. One of those was senior Lacy Sigafus, who drained a jump shot that sent Warrior Nation jumping into the air in celebration.
"We talked in the huddle and knew to just have fun with (the game)," said Jen Wellnitz, who had three of her nine rebounds in one possession late in fourth quarter. "We had a minute, 56 seconds left for your high school career, so we just went out and put up some shots. They weren't falling, but it was fun."
Leave it to Black Hawk, a school that has only one other program reach state in the last two decades (football) to show all of Wisconsin the attitude that surrounds the school - no sulking, play for your teammates, represent your school, and keep a level head.
In their third straight WIAA state appearance, the Warriors had one of their best showings. Sure, a year ago they made it to the state championship and lost by 34 to the same team, but the way they composed themselves all year, no losses in their first 26 games, and sticking together through injuries and illnesses despite just a roster of 10 players, Black Hawk more than deserved the right to play on television.
"It was amazing," said senior guard Alyssa Piefer, who drilled a late 3-pointer in the loss. "We were starting to make shots and it was our downfall in the beginning because we couldn't get it in the hoop. When it started going in we started feeling a little bit better. It just wasn't enough."
Next year, with five players graduating, three of which starters - Rachel Rygh, Melissa Wellnitz and Alyssa Piefer - the Warriors will still be the favorites in their sectional to open the season. With the way Kayla Meier played, the inside game of Kate Quinn, the defense and experience of Chaesta Shager and Katie Powers, plus the abnormal awareness and physical ability of freshman Jen Wellnitz, Black Hawk has every right to be in the conversation again next year. And yes, head coach Mike Flanagan will still be the coach.
"It was a great experience and I just hope we can make it back next year. We should have a great team next year," junior Kayla Meier said.
Jen Wellnitz said she's going to miss playing with her sister and the seniors, but now it is her turn to lead the program.
"I'm ready. I'll still miss 'em, because I always liked having a sister on my team, but I'll get over it," Jen said.
Sister Melissa, who played with three sisters in four years, said it was a fun experience all around.
"It's been great. Last year playing with Kim, that was one of my favorite seasons ever because her and Katie (Place) we've hung out ever since we were little," Melissa said. "I couldn't have asked for a better way to be on my team that with my sisters. My freshman year I had two sisters on my team - how great is that?"
