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Chippewa Valley This Week
Planning your retirement? Get reliable advice from Sue Buska and Cole Bruner, Saturdays at 7:30am on WOGO!
Chippewa Valley This Week
Back in the WIAA Division 5 State Title Game, the Macks (29-2, 13-1 Western Cloverbelt Conference) fell behind early to the Fighting Cardinals (27-4, 14-2 Marawood South Conference), came within three, but then fell victim to a hot-shooting streak from Wausau Newman, who took a 14-point lead into halftime.
Once again, the McDonell seniors made a furious rally, battling back within one possession on more than one occasion and coming as close as two points. Down the stretch, though, Wausau Newman made the plays they needed to and closed out the championship win in their first ever appearance at the state tournament, while the Macks capped off their magnificent 2022-23 campaign with a silver ball to bring back to Chippewa.
Planning your retirement? Get reliable advice from Sue Buska and Cole Bruner, Saturdays at 7:30am on WOGO!
Playing at the Kohl Center for the first time since 2019, the Macks (29-1, 13-1 Western Cloverbelt Conference) fell behind right away to the Pirates (26-4, 13-1 Trailways West Conference), then made a surge, but still trailed by seven at the half.
In the second, however, the McDonell seniors found another gear. After trailing by as many as 11 in the first half, the Macks pulled out in front, working their way to an eight-point advantage. Fall River, however, proved their mettle, not only tying the game but taking the lead late. But in crunch time, for the second time in as many games, McDonell hit big shots, made critical hustle plays on both ends, and held on in the final seconds to advance to Saturday's state title game.
In front of a packed gym at Amery in the Sectional Final, the Macks (28-1, 13-1 Western Cloverbelt Conference) jumped out to an early lead, only to see the hot-shooting Eagles (26-2, 17-0 Indianhead Conference), storm back to a five-point advantage at halftime.
After the break, the wheels looked like they were coming off for McDonell, as they found themselves down 13 late in the game. The Macks seniors, however, were simply not willing to see their season end, as they fought their way back to force overtime. In the extra frame, McDonell hit big shot after big shot, made critical hustle plays on both ends, and held on in the final seconds to punch their ticket to the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament in Madison!
After winning their first ever game at the WIAA State Tournament, the Lady Macks (26-5, 14-0 Western Cloverbelt Conference) looked strong at the start against the Lady Wildcats (28-2,13-1 Large Dairyland Conference), only to see their lead dissipate to a two-possession advantage at halftime.
Blair-Taylor continued to surge in the second half, tying the game with an early flurry, before the Lady Macks tightened the screws defensively and slowly but surely pulled away in front of a huge crowd at the Resch Center. For the second straight day, McDonell girls basketball forged new ground, as they sealed a WIAA state championship for the first time in program history!
Planning your retirement? Get reliable advice from Sue Buska and Cole Bruner, Saturdays at 7:30am on WOGO!
Chippewa Valley This Week
In their third consecutive trip to State, the Lady Macks (25-5, 14-0 Western Cloverbelt Conference) came out of the gate hot and never looked back against the previously unbeaten Comets (28-1,12-0 Six Rivers Conference), roaring out to a 24-point halftime lead.
The show of dominance continued in the second half, as Albany was held to just 9 points after the break, while every Lady Macks player saw the floor. Nine players scored as McDonell made history with their program's first ever win at the state tournament, advancing to Saturday's title game.
Back at the sectional level after a one-season hiatus, the Macks (27-1, 13-1 Western Cloverbelt Conference) went back and forth early with the Cardinals (11-16, 4-10 WCC), and held just a slim four-point advantage at halftime.
After the break, however, McDonell's defense went to another level, as they outscored Thorp 26-9 in the final 18 minutes. The Macks' core group of seniors led the way and were rewarded with the program's eighth trip to a Sectional Final in the last nine years.