MADISON, WI- In a hard-fought battle, Bonduel overcame Prairie School’s methodical pace to secure a crucial victory 59-41, moving one step closer to a Division 4 State Championship. The Bears, typically a fast-paced team, adapted to Prairie’s slower style but still found success, largely due to their stifling defense.
“We kinda played their game, but we did okay at it,” said Bonduel’s coach Duke Copp said after the game. “I thought our defense was fantastic tonight, made it really hard for them to score.”
Copp said Bears are who they thought they were.
“We weren’t quite sure what we were gonna be like after losing a few key players from last year’s team that was one game away from state,” he said. “We had a couple of big wins early, but after a tough loss to Roncalli, we changed our approach. We played a lot harder, tougher defense, and we’ve been rolling since then.”
Bonduel’s defense was the story of the night, keeping Prairie’s offense in check despite a slower offensive start.
“We probably haven’t shot the ball really well in this tournament, so we’ve relied on our defense more than we had all season,” the coach noted. “The guys take pride in that. We have multiple players that can guard multiple guys, which is really helpful.”
The Bears’ players acknowledged the magnitude of the moment, as they embraced on the court after the final buzzer.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Senior Race Anvelink said. “We’ve dreamed of this since the beginning of the season. Our coaches have pushed us hard, and the whole town is supporting us. It’s just really, really awesome to get to the state championship game.”
Ryan Westrich Dominates Inside
Bonduel’s offensive anchor was Ryan Westrich, who finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
“We’d be not very smart if we didn’t go in there very much,” Copp said. “Ryan has really carried us through this tournament. Southern Door, Auburndale—he’s dominated every game. There just aren’t many guys who can guard him.”
Westrich acknowledged his role in keeping the offense on track, especially when shots weren’t falling.
“I’ve been getting a lot better at recognizing double teams and kicking it out to teammates for open threes,” Westrich said. “Knowing what moves to make and when to pass has been key.”
Looking Ahead to the Championship
With one final game standing between Bonduel and the state title, the team knows the challenge will only get tougher.
“The next opponent is going to bring different challenges,” Copp said. “Each game is different, and we’ve done a great job of adjusting all season. If we’re going to win the state championship, we have to be better than everyone. Only one team hoists that gold ball at the end.”
Bonduel will now prepare for the title showdown, with Aquinas, a 57-54 come-from-behind winner over Mineral Point.
In a thrilling WIAA Division 4 semifinal Aquinas’ victory was propelled by standout performances from key players. Finley Strom led the team with 16 points, including a crucial corner three-pointer that shifted the momentum late in the game. Vincent Bahr contributed a double-double, amassing 15 points and securing 10 rebounds, while Trey Bahr added 12 points to the scoreboard.
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