COLUMBUS — Despite a three from senior Alexis Kammerer with 35 seconds left in the game to put Brodhead within two, the Cardinals fell 46-42 in the WIAA regional semifinal to Columbus on Friday, Feb. 24.

The game between No. 4-seeded Columbus and No. 5-seeded Brodhead featured six lead changes and eight ties — the last occurring with 3:10 left in the game.

“It was a close battle back and forth,” Kammerer said. “Both teams were pretty even and came ready to play today.”

Alecia Dahl put Brodhead on the board first, but a lack of weak-side help defense gave Mikenna Boettcher an easy path to the basket to tie the game. 

Abbie Dix scored the next four points for the visiting Cardinals, tying the game at both 4-4 and 6-6. For her first basket, she grabbed a steal and turned it into two points. Dahl then found Dix in the post for two more.

After a game-tying bucket from Alise Hayes, Taetum Hoesly drew a foul on Hayes and went to the line for two. There, she made both shots. With a free throw of her own, Dix gave Brodhead a three-point lead — its largest of the first half.

While the visiting Cardinals took the lead, Dahl and Hoesly picked up their second fouls with six minutes left in the half. As a result, head coach Brian Kammerer turned to Jaelyn Hilliard. In the final minutes, Hilliard sacrificed her body for her team, picking up three fouls to prevent easy, fast-break baskets for Columbus on turnovers. 

The home Cardinals capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes, though, going 4-for-6 at the charity stripe to take a four-point lead. Addison Yates chipped away with a basket, but it was Makenna Schooff’s mid-range buzzer-beater that sent the two teams into halftime tied at 18.

Despite momentum going into the locker room, Brodhead came out slow in the second half. The team forced passes into the post and on the press break. When Brodhead did get an open look, they missed their bunny shots. In addition to offensive struggles, Brodhead gave up six points, forcing a timeout from Brian Kammerer.

The pause gave Kammerer’s team some life, as Yates came out and scored the next four points. Dahl then took a charge from Hayes, followed by a 3-point play by Dix. Alexis Kammerer received the ball in the high post and passed to Dix in the low post for two. Dix was fouled in the process and made the subsequent and-one. 

Columbus padded its lead back to seven points with baskets from Amy Theilen and Hayes.

Brodhead responded with a 12-0 run. Dix and Hoesly scored back-to-back points followed by a 2-for-2 trip to the free-throw line by Yates. With just under seven minutes left in the game, Alexis Kammerer drained a three and Yates followed suit. Columbus head coach Jeff Schweitzer took a timeout with Brodhead leading 37-32.

“All through the game, other people stepped up,” Alexis Kammerer said. “I thought it was time to knock one down and help the team out.”

Seniors Jaiden Dornaus and Hayes didn’t want to see their careers come to an end, though, and combined for the next nine points. The bank was open for Dornaus’s three, while Hayes’s offensive put-back gave Columbus the lead again.

Brodhead had multiple opportunities to respond. Alexis Kammerer looked to feed Dahl up court on a fast break, but Dahl got tripped up and fell. Brodhead then forced a pass into the post, leading to a turnover with just over a minute left in the game.

Down by two, Brodhead was forced to foul. Columbus reached bonus in the final minute, making three free throws for a five-point lead. Alexis Kammerer kept Brodhead’s hopes alive, sinking a three with 35 seconds left. 

Boettcher sealed the game, though, with a pair of bonus free throws. The game ended with the two teams fighting over a loose ball.

Brodhead ended the season 17-8 overall, finishing third in the Rock Valley Conference with a 13-5 record. Dix finished the season averaging a double-double with 16.2 ppg and 11.7 rpg. Dahl trailed Dix offensively, averaging 11.1 ppg.

The conclusion of the basketball season was especially emotional for the Kammerer family. Mother Erin coached Alexis in volleyball, while  father Brian coached Alexis in basketball. Alexis will play softball in the spring, where Brian is an assistant coach. It will be her last season coached by a parent.

“It’s bitter sweet,” Alexis said of having her parents as head coaches. “I’m blessed to have amazing role models. It sucks that it’s over because it’s been a ride, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”