GREEN BAY – Following through on the adopted mantra of “Unfinished Business”, the Black Hawk girls basketball team overcame last season’s devasting defeat in the state championship to win their first gold ball. The Warriors outscored Clayton by 15 in the second half to win 51-36 March 9 at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

“This feeling is amazing. We totally put all of our hard work into this sport, and just finally coming out on top is amazing,” Black Hawk junior Natalie Leuzinger said. “I’ve had this dream since I picked up a basketball.”

Leuzinger scored 23 points and Bailey Butler had 19 for Black Hawk, which went into the half tied at 21 with the Bears

“In the locker room I didn’t sense any desperation,” Warriors coach Mike Flanagan said. “The kids are resilient.”

Leuzinger hit the opening shot of the game from distance, but it was Black Hawk’s last made 3-pointer of the first half. The Warriors missed 11 straight, while Clayton hit four in-a-row at one point, aiding the Bears’ rally from eight-down to even it up at the break.

In the second half, Butler and Leuzinger took over the game. Butler scored the first seven points of the second, and the duo hit 8 of 10 shots out of the gates for the Warriors – including three 3s.

“I knew me and Nat both needed to step up in that second half, and that’s exactly what we did and it really showed,” Butler said.

It’s the first title in program history, and it came in Black Hawk’s fifth run to state – all in the past 13 years under Flanagan’s watch.

“I wanted to spell the spell the myth that 13 is an unlucky number. This is season 13 for me and I finally got one,” Flanagan said.

A pep rally will be held at Black Hawk High School in South Wayne at 7:30 p.m. tonight to honor the players and coaches.

For a full recap of the state title game, as well as the semifinal win over Fall River from March 8, see the March 13 edition of the Monroe Times.