NEW GLARUS — Senior Lindsey Schadewalt became the 39th player in Wisconsin girls basketball state history to reach 2,000 career points in New Glarus’s 69-50 win over Cambridge on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Although Schadewalt entered the game knowing she needed just 14 points to reach the milestone — fans made a large sign counting up to 2,000 points and displayed it on the gym wall — she knew much more was at stake than just her own personal achievement. New Glarus and Cambridge were both undefeated in conference play, and the winner of the game would take sole possession of first place.

“Going into tonight, we knew this was going to be a big conference game,” Schadewalt said. “I had to put that (2,000 points) on the back burner a bit and remember this is a must-win game for us. To be able to do that was cool and to be able to do it at home with everyone is nice.”

Schadewalt scored 10 points in the first half and opened the second frame with the Knights’ first four points to reach the mark. She joins 38 other players in Wisconsin girls basketball state history, four of which also scored their 2,000th career points this season, too — Allie Ziebel (Neenah), Teagan Mallegni (McFarland) and Sydney Cherney (Reedsburg). 

Schadewalt is the first local girl to reach the mark. Sydney Hilliard, a 2019 Monroe graduate, finished with 1,991 points, and Bailey Butler, a 2021 Black Hawk graduate, scored 1,960 career points. Area boys basketball players that surpassed 2,000 career points include Pecatonica’s AJ Hendrickson (2017 graduate), Argyle’s Travis Tuttle (1992) and Monticello’s Jim Zweifel (1958).

Although the night ended in a win — both individually and as a team — the Knights and Schadewalt got off to a slow start.

The Bluejays jumped out to a 6-0 lead, as Emma Martinson and Lindsey Schadewalt picked up fouls. Although a pair of free throws from Eve MacLean tied the game at seven, Martinson and Schadewalt picked up their second fouls and spent some time on the bench.

“We didn’t follow our gameplan defensively right away,” Parman said. “It took us a second to mentally get into it. The bigs got some silly fouls, and Lindsey got two fouls early in the first half and had to sit. Once they did get a bucket or two, they settled down. It was our defense that led to the offense that propelled the team.”

Payton Schneider deflected a Cambridge pass right to Elle Lancaster, who pushed the ball up court to Anya Brenkman for two. Schneider then tied the game at 11 with a steal and layup on the other end.

Schadewalt reentered the game and gave the Knights their first lead of the game, 13-11, with a putback at 9:02. Bella Brenkman extended that lead with a pair of free throws.

Cambridge took the lead one last time with back-to-back baskets from Brooke Stenklyft, the last of which was an and-one.  

In response, Schadewalt took the ensuing inbounds pass from Lancaster, dribbled twice after half court, pulled up and drained a 3-pointer — Caitlin Clark-style. New Glarus extended its advantage to 22-17 with buckets from Schadewalt and Schneider. The Knights maintained the 6-point edge for the final three minutes of the frame.

In the first half, Schadewalt and Stenklyft led their teams with 10 points each. Schadewalt needed just four points in the second half to reach the 2,000-point mark.

“We weren’t up by a ton. I knew that we were going to get it going and I’d find opportunities,” Schadewalt said. “I knew it was going to be tough because Cambridge is a good team.”

With the goal in sight, Schadewalt scored New Glarus’s first four points of the second half to reach 2,000 career points. Fans waved “2,000 points” signs, the student section rolled out a large poster and teammates gathered near the sideline to give Schadewalt hugs.

“Once I hit 1,000, I shifted to the next goal,” Schadewalt said, referencing New Glarus’s 63-47 win over Lakeside Lutheran on Dec. 1, 2022 where she scored her 1,00th career point. “It was on my mind, but I knew there’s a lot of things that go into it. To be able to get there is cool. Not many people have done it.”

The Knights rallied from the moment, building up 39-30 lead on a Lancaster bucket. Cambridge brought the score back to within three, scoring four of its next six points at the free-throw line. 

New Glarus built up its lead once again, this time reaching double digits on a Schadewalt 3-pointer. The Knights extended their advantage to 18 points (54-38) in just two minutes. 

Schadewalt grabbed a defensive rebound and scored through two defenders. Schneider was fouled attempting to score on an offensive rebound. She made both free-throw attempts. Anya Brenkman stole a Bluejay pass and took it down the floor for two. Schadewalt capped the run with another bucket.

Cambridge began attacking the basket and winning the board battle, drawing Knight fouls. Schneider picked up her fourth foul with 8:25 left and MacLean her third 40 seconds later. The Bluejays reached double bonus with just under six minutes left in the game.

“They have strong post play. Brooke Stenklyft is great. She’s left-handed and really strong. She knows how to get to the rim,” Schadewalt said. “Bella ended up face-guarding Brooke to slow her down. It was a great effort on her (Bella) because it’s not an easy task. Props to her.”

Although Cambridge had opportunities to come back, the Bluejays shot 60% from the charity stripe (6-for-10) in the final eight minutes of the game. New Glarus held its lead — reaching a 19-point advantage on an inbounds play for Bella Brenkman — allowing Parman to go down his bench.

Melanie Fink scored, and Megan Peterson ended the game with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

Schadewalt led all scorers with 33 points. Anya Brenkman, Bella Brenkman and Schneider scored eight points each. Stenklyft and Saveea Freeland tallied 16 points each.

With the win, New Glarus takes control of the Capitol South. The Knights (4-0) have played three of their four conference games at home and are on the road for their next two.

“If you want to win conference, you have to take care of business at home,” Parman said. “Everybody seems to bring their best game when they play us. It’s not easy mentally for kids to stay up night in and night out. I don’t mind not being the underdog, but it’s okay once in a while to let go of some of that pressure. The girls handled it great.”