Sports
Bay Tops Nicolet to Advance in Playoffs
Win means Blue Dukes will take on Tosa West in sectional semifinal Thursday.
In their third head-to-head matchup of the season, Whitefish Bay got the better of rival Nicolet in a nail-biting 44-41 Division 2 regional finals victory at Marquette University High School Saturday.
The Blue Dukes were once again led by senior center Jamie Schneck, who led all
players with 20 points, and made 10 out of 14 shots from the free-throw line. The Knights were led by senior forward Tyler Martin, who had 12 points.
In the teams' two previous meetings, the Knights won a 42-38 game in
the beginning of the season, but the Blue Dukes were able to even up the regular season series at 1-1 with a 70-41 point trouncing.
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“It’s a rivalry and we knew they’d come out and give a good showing, so we knew it was definitely going to be a big game,” said Whitefish Bay head coach Kevin Lazovik. “Nicolet has had our number and it was nice to get a victory.”
The started off at a slow pace, but the Blue Dukes picked things up during the second quarter and were able to end the first half on an 8-2 run and head into the half with a 26-20 lead.
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When the second half started, the pace slowed once again.
“There was a point in the third quarter where we had a stretch of about five minutes where we only had like 8 points,” said Nicolet head coach Paul Hepp.
Te Knights got out to a fast start in the fourth quarter, though, with a quick steal and thunderous dunk by sophomore forward Eugene Bonner. After that, the Knights scored some quick points. They narrowed the lead down to one, but in the end it was the Blue Dukes' day.
“The character they showed tonight was great and we battled back to keep it close,” Hepp said. “It was a defensive battle, and I tip my hat to Whitefish Bay and wish them good luck the rest of the way.”
It came down to the final shot, but in the end the Blue Dukes hit their free throws in the clutch moments and got the victory.
“We had a huge night at the line and our guys played with huge heart and put out a great effort,” Lazovik said.
Whitefish Bay now will take on Wauwatosa West in a sectional semifinal game at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Al McGuire Center.
