STEVENS POINT, WI- The Bonduel Bears are state-bound! For the first time in program history, the Bears are heading to Madison after a hard-fought 56-44 victory over Auburndale in the sectional final Saturday afternoon.
As the final buzzer sounded, the celebration erupted. Players and fans alike flooded the court, emotions running high as the Bears prepared to cut down the nets—a tradition reserved for champions. Senior Cade Johnson struggled to find the words to capture the moment.
“It’s surreal,” Johnson said, glancing around. “Last year, we came close, but something felt different about this year. We knew we had what it took, and now we get to go to Madtown.”
Bonduel (27-1) set the tone early, racing out to a 29-17 halftime lead behind a strong defensive effort and efficient shooting. The Bears maintained their composure in the second half, matching Auburndale point for point to secure the historic win.
Junior Ryan Westrich led the charge for Bonduel, finishing with a game-high 19 points, while senior Cade Johnson added 12. The Bears showcased their depth, with six players contributing to the scoreboard.
Auburndale (24-4) was led by Thomas Aue with 16 points, while Mason Lundgren drained five three-pointers to finish with 15. Despite a strong effort, the Eagles struggled to close the gap after falling behind early.
The Bears were nearly flawless from the free-throw line, converting 9-of-10 attempts, while Auburndale was held to just 2 attempts all game. Bonduel’s defensive intensity and balanced scoring proved to be the difference.
Overcoming Adversity
Bonduel entered the season with lofty expectations, but their journey to the state tournament wasn’t without challenges. A midseason loss to Roncalli served as a wake-up call, reminding the Bears that nothing would be handed to them.
“I think it was good for us,” said junior Ryan Westrich. “That loss humbled us. We’ve got a talented team, but it showed us that talent alone wouldn’t be enough. We had to outwork teams, fight for loose balls, battle for rebounds—do all the little things.”
Head coach Duke Copp echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the team’s growth throughout the season.
“There was a week where the pressure was really on,” Kopp admitted. “But instead of letting it define us, we used it to get better. From that moment on, these kids have been locked in.”
Bonduel’s balanced attack has been key to their success. With five players averaging double figures and contributions coming from all over the roster, the Bears present a challenge for any opponent.
“Guys are stepping up in different ways,” Johnson said. “We’ve got scorers, we’ve got defenders, we’ve got guys who do the dirty work. It’s a complete team, and that’s what makes us dangerous.”
Copp made sure to credit his senior leaders, Cade Johnson and Race Anvelink for setting the tone.
- “People don’t always realize how much Cade and Race mean to this team,” Copp said. “They bring the fire every day in practice, they lead by example, and they’re the fiercest competitors I’ve ever coached. They deserve this moment.”
With the nets down and a golden ticket to state secured, the focus now shifts to the Kohl Center. The Bears will find out their seed and opponent soon, but for Copp and his squad, the mindset remains the same.
“We’re gonna go give it everything we have and see what happens.”
As the town of Bonduel prepares to make the trip to Madison, one thing is certain—the Bears are ready to make some noise at state.
Final Score:
Bonduel 56, Auburndale 44
Halftime: Bonduel 29, Auburndale 17
Bonduel Scoring: Johnson 12, Westrich 19, Uelmen 4, Moesch 2, Wesenberg 8, Anvelink 9, Roberts 2.
Three-pointers: Johnson, Westrich, Anvelink. Free Throws: 9-10. Fouls: 11.
Auburndale Scoring: Weinfurter 5, Raab 4, Empey 4, Lundgren 15, Aue 16.
Three-pointers: Lundgren 5, Weinfurter. Free Throws: 0-2. Fouls: 11.
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