APPLETON (WLUK) — Appleton North goes the place no workforce earlier than it in program historical past has ever been, the state basketball event.
The Lightning beat rival Kaukauna in a Division 1 sectional ultimate to attain a state semifinal and so they’re excited.
“State is so cool,” senior Nathan Ramus mentioned. “It’s going to be a great experience and all the hard work we put in throughout the last four years and even when we were kids, it’s just going to mean everything to end our careers there. We’ve worked so hard to get here.”
“It’s been a worldwind and for us reaching our goals, that we set at the start of the season, goals that we’ve never reached before,” coach Chris Kellett mentioned. “Just trying to get the players to kind of calm down, take a deep breath, and then kind of reset and start over. And then obviously preparing for Wisconsin Lutheran through a snowstorm has been a quite challenging as well.
“So simply getting an opportunity to reset the minds and the physique and simply get ready to compete.”
No. 4 seeded Appleton North (24-4) will open state tournament play Friday at the Kohl Center against undefeated and top-seeded Wisconsin Lutheran (28-0), which is 86-2 over the last three seasons with a state championship last year in Division 1 and a state championship the year before in Division 2. Because of that, not many people will give North a chance to win this game, but the Lightning will be ready.
“Wisconsin Lutheran is a good workforce,” Ramus said. “We know we’re going to have to beat them in some unspecified time in the future, so may as nicely beat them first evening. We know we have got to win two video games to win state. That’s the objective, so yeah, nothing adjustments.”
“They have been deserving of a primary rating, you recognize, all 12 months, they’re an incredible workforce, nicely coached,” senior Grant Hardy said. “They went down to South Carolina, you recognize, they gained that event. They’re lengthy, expert, they’re an incredible workforce. I believe individuals will overlook the FVA, and the way powerful that’s.
“We’re prepared for this moment, I think. We’re just kind of waiting for the moment to strike, and we’re excited to show the state of what we’re about.”
No higher time to do it in opposition to the state’s to-ranked workforce on the largest stage.
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DIVISION 1
Semifinals – Friday, 6:35 p.m.
- Game 1: #1 Wisconsin Lutheran (28-0) vs. #4 Appleton North (24-4)
- Game 2: #2 De Pere (25-3) vs. #3 Madison Memorial (26-2)
Championship Final – Saturday – (quarter-hour following completion of Division 2 championship sport)
- Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Follow Doug Ritchay on X @dougritchay
