SOUTH WAYNE — Black Hawk head coach Mike Flanagan was named the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association co-coach of the year in May.
Flanagan’s Warriors were unbeaten and on a 54-game winning streak when the girls state basketball tournament was canceled by the WIAA March 13.
“I am not one to tout my own personal accolades, but it is a very nice recognition of our program,” Flanagan said. “The award is a testament to the great players we have had in our program and the culture that they have helped us to build.”
Joining Flanagan was Dave Donarski of the La Crosse Aquinas, who was also named the Associated Press coach of the year.
“I’m proud of him and I hope there’s more waiting for him,” said Natalie Leuzinger, a Black Hawk senior that will play for the Wisconsin Badgers next season. “Coach isn’t one to brag about himself — he puts the players and the team achievements first before his own. In reality, he really does deserve that achievement. His dedication to the sport of basketball is unbelievable.”
Over Leuzinger’s four years in high school, Flanagan led the team to a 103-2 record with a state championship in 2019.
“He put us in the right position to become back-to-back state champions along with the highest winning streak in the state (54),” Leuzinger said. “I can’t believe it took my last year of high school for him to get it. That record would not have been possible without Coach Flanagan.”
Black Hawk was a perfect 26-0 and ranked No. 1 in the state in both the WBCA and AP polls when the state tournament was canceled. The Warriors won each game by more than 40 points on average. Leuzinger and sisters Bailey and Hannah Butler were co-Six Rivers East players of the year and all-state picks. Hannah Butler and Leuzinger both graduated after the season, as did Maddy Huschitt, Kristen Knapp and Hannah Milliken.
Six Warriors were all-conference, with Knapp and Kaylee Marty earning honorable mention honors and Huschitt a second-team selection. In what was the team’s final game of the regular season, Black Hawk defeated Oakfield in a WIAA Division 5 sectional final by 47 points.
Flanagan has a career record of 298-70, a winning percentage of almost 81%, and has led Black Hawk to six state appearances in 14 seasons.
