Lady Panthers advance to regional title game

Milton visits Wilmot Saturday

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Using quickness in ball movement, the Lady Panthers defeated visiting Fort Atkinson 41-32, to move on to the WIAA Division 2 regional title game against Milton 7 p.m. Saturday.

Wilmot Union High School, who trailed 19-14 entering the second half, was able to equalize Blackhawks duo Sarah Pfeifer (5-foot-10) and 6-foot junior Miah Garant, to produce a stellar comeback.

The Lady Panthers improved to 19-4 overall following Friday’s victory.

“In the first half, we did a lot of catching and holding, but in the second half, we got our guards to get (Garant) out rotation,” said Wilmot coach Keiya Square.

The two Fort Atkinson post players clogged the inside of the paint, but courtesy of 5-6 senior guard Sam Kirk’s eight second half points and four total assists in the contest, the Lady Panthers were able to find a way to draw fouls and penetrate the inside.

With Wilmot down 19-14, junior guard Devin Coleman drained a 3-pointer to open the second half to trim its deficit to 19-17.

Coleman finished with a game-high seven boards, three blocked shots and two steals.

After Fort Atkinson’s Taylor Romens converted both free throws, Wilmot responded with two Delaney Sjong free throws, followed by a Morgan Zenon 3-point play to pull the Lady Panthers ahead 22-21.

Sjong finished with eight points.

Following four Blackhawk points, Kirk drew a foul in the lane, which led to two free throws to tie it at 24-24.

After both squads traded points, leading to another 26-26 deadlock, Lady Panthers senior Teya Gaines dropped in a basket to pull Wilmot ahead 30-28.

Pfeifer, who led all Fort Atkinson scorers with 12 points, tied it up 30-30 after two free throws.

Fort Atkinson responded to Delaney Sjong’s go-ahead basket with a Garant field goal, before momentum shifted in the Lady Panthers’ favor.

Zenon, who scored eight points, drained a 3-pointer to pull the Lady Panthers ahead 33-30, and held on for the regional quarterfinal win.

Matt Stolberg, Fort Atkinson coach, acknowledged it would be difficult to defend the Lady Panthers’ up tempo style.

“We knew it was going to come down to a possession or two, and they had a couple of big 3s late, and we just couldn’t get back.” Stollberg said.

Pfeifer scored a game-high 12 points and had five rebounds.

On Saturday, the Lady Panthers host Milton, who defeated Burlington 70-62 Friday.

The Redhawks finished tied for fifth in the Badger Conference-South Division with a 3-9 record, accumulating a 10-13 overall record.

Milton, who is the No. 3 seed, features sophomore guard Kailey Harbort, who boasts 13.3 points per game.


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