SOUTH WAYNE - Black Hawk junior Chaesta Shager understands that when the Warriors take on Wausau Newman Catholic in a WIAA Division 5 state semifinal game Thursday it will be like watching a mirror image.
Newman Catholic (26-1), the champions of the Marawood South Conference, is a carbon copy of Black Hawk (26-0). The Fighting Cardinals use a suffocating full-court press, just like the Warriors. That was used to perfection a year ago, when Newman Catholic defeated Black Hawk 64-30 to win the WIAA Division 4 state championship.
"We get to see what other people feel like when they play us," Shager said about facing the Cardinals' press. "They pressed us (last year) like we have never been pressed before."
Black Hawk and Newman Catholic have been the top two ranked teams in Division 5 for most of the year. Many Black Hawk players are looking forward to the challenge of playing the Fighting Cardinals again in the state semifinals. Black Hawk senior Rachel Rygh, who averages 14.5 points per game, will play in her third straight state tournament.
"It (last year's state title game) crosses my mind once in a while," Rygh said. "It hurt when they beat us last year. We just don't want to have that feeling of getting beat like that again. We want to come out hard and attack them."
Rygh was recently announced as the Six Rivers East Conference Player of the Year for this past season.
The state tournament will be a battle between the Six Rivers and Marawood Conferences. If Black Hawk wins Thursday, the Warriors would play the winner of River Ridge-Prentice in the state title game at 11:05 a.m. Saturday. River Ridge is in the Six Rivers West and Prentice is in the Marawood North.
"It never gets old," said Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan, who has taken the Warriors to state three of the five years he has coached. "It never gets easy. After the last couple of years you want to get back to state again. We always have that dream of winning a state championship."
If the Warriors are going to fulfill that dream, there are several keys to beating the Fighting Cardinals, who have made eight state appearances and won a title in 2002 and were state runner-ups in 2005 and 2006.
Breaking the press
The Warriors must take care of the basketball. In the state title game last year, the Warriors committed 28 turnovers, which led to several transition points for the Cardinals. The focus for the Warriors in practice gearing up for the Cardinals has been breaking the press.
"Last year, we turned the ball over too many times and they shot 50 percent," Flanagan said. "Last year they were better than us at our own game. We have to find a way to take care of the ball and convert shots. It will come down to maximizing possessions. That's the name of the game. They are too good not to take advantage of possessions you get."
Black Hawk senior Alyssa Piefer said dealing with the Cardinals' press is key.
"We are hoping we can all get together and break their pressure," Piefer said. "We have been waiting for it for a while. It's a great defense to run. Hopefully, we can find the open spots and not make mistakes. I agree with coach. He's a smart guy."
Shutting down Thomas, Hartke
Newman Catholic senior Taylor Thomas, a Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit, averages 14.1 ppg to lead her team. The Cardinals are more than a one player team, however, as three other players average about nine points including seniors Erica Hartke (9.9 ppg), Megan Connolly (9.5 ppg) and Lauren Tubbs (8.9 ppg).
"I think we will have to be physical and have to help on (Thomas)," Flanagan said.
The Warriors aren't unaccustomed to playing against big post players. The Warriors have played two games this year against 6-foot-1 junior Ellen Kiser of Juda. The team thrives by using a press that brings traps from different areas on the floor that can slow down an opponent. Thomas averages 5.7 rebounds per game and shoots 34.8 percent from the 3-point line.
Flanagan said he will tweak the press for the Cardinals.
Hartke is a versatile player for the Cardinals, who shoots 33.5 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from the 3-point line.
"I think if we can limit what those two kids can do and make everyone else beat us it will go a long way in putting us in a position to win," Flanagan said of Thomas and Hartke.
Stay out of foul trouble
In the few games in which the Warriors had to pull games out in the second half - against Monticello, Juda and Highland - a common trend was evident: Keeping senior Melissa Wellnitz and freshman Jen Wellnitz out of foul trouble.
Melissa Wellnitz (11.0 ppg) is a cornerstone of the Warriors' pressure defense, averaging 3.9 steals a game. Melissa battled foul trouble against Monticello in a regional semifinal game and the Warriors were able to pull out a 46-43 win. Melissa also picked up two fouls in the first minute of a game against Juda in January and was later forced to the bench with four fouls. Jen also picked up her fourth foul at the start of the third quarter, but Black Hawk was again able to escape.
Melissa picked up three fouls in the first half against Highland in non-conference game in January and was forced to the bench. She came back in the second half and the Warriors knocked won 43-32.
"For us to be a really good team, we need to have Melissa Wellnitz on the floor," Flanagan said after the Highland game. "In the second half, she played with her feet. No one plays as hard as Melissa. When she picks up those fouls that that changes us."
Jen Wellnitz also must stay on the floor for the Warriors. She averages 9 ppg, 8.3 rebounds a game and 3.1 steals a game.
Continue solid play from bench
Shager was a starter for Black Hawk until illness forced her to miss the last two games of the regular season. Black Hawk junior Kate Quinn has stepped into the starting lineup and the Warriors haven't missed a beat.
Flanagan said Quinn has brought a different dimension of attacking the glass for rebounds.
The Warriors have received a lift from their bench, including junior Kayla Meier, Shager and Katie Powers.
"I think we have really developed some depth," Flanagan said. "I'm really proud of how she (Quinn) and Kayla (Meier) have stepped in and given us an inside game. That was a question mark at the start of the season."
Shager said her strength and stamina has plummeted since she recovered from her bout with mono.
"It's still not up to par," she said. "Adrenaline takes over a lot."
Shager has battled back and looks forward to the rematch with the Cardinals.
"It's amazing going back to state to play Newman again," Shager said. "It's an amazing experience. I'm glad I get to go through it again."
Newman Catholic (26-1), the champions of the Marawood South Conference, is a carbon copy of Black Hawk (26-0). The Fighting Cardinals use a suffocating full-court press, just like the Warriors. That was used to perfection a year ago, when Newman Catholic defeated Black Hawk 64-30 to win the WIAA Division 4 state championship.
"We get to see what other people feel like when they play us," Shager said about facing the Cardinals' press. "They pressed us (last year) like we have never been pressed before."
Black Hawk and Newman Catholic have been the top two ranked teams in Division 5 for most of the year. Many Black Hawk players are looking forward to the challenge of playing the Fighting Cardinals again in the state semifinals. Black Hawk senior Rachel Rygh, who averages 14.5 points per game, will play in her third straight state tournament.
"It (last year's state title game) crosses my mind once in a while," Rygh said. "It hurt when they beat us last year. We just don't want to have that feeling of getting beat like that again. We want to come out hard and attack them."
Rygh was recently announced as the Six Rivers East Conference Player of the Year for this past season.
The state tournament will be a battle between the Six Rivers and Marawood Conferences. If Black Hawk wins Thursday, the Warriors would play the winner of River Ridge-Prentice in the state title game at 11:05 a.m. Saturday. River Ridge is in the Six Rivers West and Prentice is in the Marawood North.
"It never gets old," said Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan, who has taken the Warriors to state three of the five years he has coached. "It never gets easy. After the last couple of years you want to get back to state again. We always have that dream of winning a state championship."
If the Warriors are going to fulfill that dream, there are several keys to beating the Fighting Cardinals, who have made eight state appearances and won a title in 2002 and were state runner-ups in 2005 and 2006.
Breaking the press
The Warriors must take care of the basketball. In the state title game last year, the Warriors committed 28 turnovers, which led to several transition points for the Cardinals. The focus for the Warriors in practice gearing up for the Cardinals has been breaking the press.
"Last year, we turned the ball over too many times and they shot 50 percent," Flanagan said. "Last year they were better than us at our own game. We have to find a way to take care of the ball and convert shots. It will come down to maximizing possessions. That's the name of the game. They are too good not to take advantage of possessions you get."
Black Hawk senior Alyssa Piefer said dealing with the Cardinals' press is key.
"We are hoping we can all get together and break their pressure," Piefer said. "We have been waiting for it for a while. It's a great defense to run. Hopefully, we can find the open spots and not make mistakes. I agree with coach. He's a smart guy."
Shutting down Thomas, Hartke
Newman Catholic senior Taylor Thomas, a Division I University of Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit, averages 14.1 ppg to lead her team. The Cardinals are more than a one player team, however, as three other players average about nine points including seniors Erica Hartke (9.9 ppg), Megan Connolly (9.5 ppg) and Lauren Tubbs (8.9 ppg).
"I think we will have to be physical and have to help on (Thomas)," Flanagan said.
The Warriors aren't unaccustomed to playing against big post players. The Warriors have played two games this year against 6-foot-1 junior Ellen Kiser of Juda. The team thrives by using a press that brings traps from different areas on the floor that can slow down an opponent. Thomas averages 5.7 rebounds per game and shoots 34.8 percent from the 3-point line.
Flanagan said he will tweak the press for the Cardinals.
Hartke is a versatile player for the Cardinals, who shoots 33.5 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from the 3-point line.
"I think if we can limit what those two kids can do and make everyone else beat us it will go a long way in putting us in a position to win," Flanagan said of Thomas and Hartke.
Stay out of foul trouble
In the few games in which the Warriors had to pull games out in the second half - against Monticello, Juda and Highland - a common trend was evident: Keeping senior Melissa Wellnitz and freshman Jen Wellnitz out of foul trouble.
Melissa Wellnitz (11.0 ppg) is a cornerstone of the Warriors' pressure defense, averaging 3.9 steals a game. Melissa battled foul trouble against Monticello in a regional semifinal game and the Warriors were able to pull out a 46-43 win. Melissa also picked up two fouls in the first minute of a game against Juda in January and was later forced to the bench with four fouls. Jen also picked up her fourth foul at the start of the third quarter, but Black Hawk was again able to escape.
Melissa picked up three fouls in the first half against Highland in non-conference game in January and was forced to the bench. She came back in the second half and the Warriors knocked won 43-32.
"For us to be a really good team, we need to have Melissa Wellnitz on the floor," Flanagan said after the Highland game. "In the second half, she played with her feet. No one plays as hard as Melissa. When she picks up those fouls that that changes us."
Jen Wellnitz also must stay on the floor for the Warriors. She averages 9 ppg, 8.3 rebounds a game and 3.1 steals a game.
Continue solid play from bench
Shager was a starter for Black Hawk until illness forced her to miss the last two games of the regular season. Black Hawk junior Kate Quinn has stepped into the starting lineup and the Warriors haven't missed a beat.
Flanagan said Quinn has brought a different dimension of attacking the glass for rebounds.
The Warriors have received a lift from their bench, including junior Kayla Meier, Shager and Katie Powers.
"I think we have really developed some depth," Flanagan said. "I'm really proud of how she (Quinn) and Kayla (Meier) have stepped in and given us an inside game. That was a question mark at the start of the season."
Shager said her strength and stamina has plummeted since she recovered from her bout with mono.
"It's still not up to par," she said. "Adrenaline takes over a lot."
Shager has battled back and looks forward to the rematch with the Cardinals.
"It's amazing going back to state to play Newman again," Shager said. "It's an amazing experience. I'm glad I get to go through it again."
