SOUTH WAYNE - Black Hawk High School Tuesday gave its girls basketball team the red carpet treatment in a pep rally in anticipation of Thursday's state basketball tournament game.
Black Hawk defeated Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah 56-35 to win the Watertown sectional title and punch their ticket to state.
Black Hawk Athletic Director Jerry Mortimer lauded the girls basketball team and coach Mike Flanagan at the pep rally Tuesday night. Flanagan has guided the Warriors to five straight regional titles, three sectional championships and three consecutive state tournament appearances.
"This doesn't happen every year," Mortimer said to a packed gym in South Wayne. "Making it three times is close to absolutely being a dynasty."
School at Black Hawk will be closed Thursday. Black Hawk will play Newman Catholic in a WIAA Division 5 state semifinal game at about 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Tickets for the state semifinal game are on sale at Black Hawk High School. A fan bus is available for students and community members, with sign up for that in the high school office.
There are a lot of eyes focused on the Warriors, who are ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press Division 5 state poll. Newman Catholic was ranked No. 2.
"The little girls are all watching," Mortimer said. "They want to be a part of it."
Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan is 96-10 since 2008, leading the Warriors to five regional titles, three sectional championships and three state appearances - including a state runner-up finish last year.
"He's a Hall of Fame coach," Mortimer said.
Flanagan introduced each player on the team and credited his assistant coaches - Bruce Jackson and Denny Larson for helping to get the most out of the team.
Flanagan said one coach can't do it by themselves. Flanagan is excited about trying to take the next step to win a gold ball.
"We would be lying if we said we knew it would happen," Flanagan said. "We would be lying if we said it couldn't happen. We are planning to go up there and play two more games."
Black Hawk defeated Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah 56-35 to win the Watertown sectional title and punch their ticket to state.
Black Hawk Athletic Director Jerry Mortimer lauded the girls basketball team and coach Mike Flanagan at the pep rally Tuesday night. Flanagan has guided the Warriors to five straight regional titles, three sectional championships and three consecutive state tournament appearances.
"This doesn't happen every year," Mortimer said to a packed gym in South Wayne. "Making it three times is close to absolutely being a dynasty."
School at Black Hawk will be closed Thursday. Black Hawk will play Newman Catholic in a WIAA Division 5 state semifinal game at about 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Tickets for the state semifinal game are on sale at Black Hawk High School. A fan bus is available for students and community members, with sign up for that in the high school office.
There are a lot of eyes focused on the Warriors, who are ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press Division 5 state poll. Newman Catholic was ranked No. 2.
"The little girls are all watching," Mortimer said. "They want to be a part of it."
Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan is 96-10 since 2008, leading the Warriors to five regional titles, three sectional championships and three state appearances - including a state runner-up finish last year.
"He's a Hall of Fame coach," Mortimer said.
Flanagan introduced each player on the team and credited his assistant coaches - Bruce Jackson and Denny Larson for helping to get the most out of the team.
Flanagan said one coach can't do it by themselves. Flanagan is excited about trying to take the next step to win a gold ball.
"We would be lying if we said we knew it would happen," Flanagan said. "We would be lying if we said it couldn't happen. We are planning to go up there and play two more games."
