MADISON, WI- In pursuit of its first state championship since 1990, the Freedom boys’ basketball team left it all on the floor at the Kohl Center on Saturday. Facing a powerhouse Milwaukee Academy of Science team brimming with Division I talent, the Irish battled to the final buzzer but fell heartbreakingly short in the WIAA Division 3 state title game, 57-54.
A last-second three-point attempt that could have forced overtime bounced off the rim, leaving Freedom to settle for the silver ball in its third trip to state.
A Fast Start, A Fierce Response
Top-seeded Freedom (28-2) came out with intensity, storming to an 18-7 lead behind the dynamic play of seniors Donovan Davis and Drew Kortz. The Irish carried a 34-28 advantage into halftime, playing with confidence and efficiency.
But the second-seeded Novas (25-1) showed why they were one of the state’s most explosive teams. MAS opened the second half with a blistering 22-8 run, flipping the script and surging to a 50-42 lead.
Though the Irish never regained the lead, they refused to back down. Trailing 55-48 with under 90 seconds remaining, Freedom made one final push. A pair of quick buckets trimmed the deficit to three. With 10 seconds left, Kortz attacked the lane for what appeared to be a game-tying opportunity, only to be called for an offensive foul—a controversial decision that sent shockwaves through the arena.
Even then, Freedom still had life. MAS missed a free throw with eight seconds left, setting up a last-ditch effort. The ball found A.J. Wesoloski beyond the arc for a contested three, but his shot at glory missed, sealing Freedom’s fate.
Heartbreak, but No Regrets
“I couldn’t be prouder of our guys,” Freedom head coach Andrew Gibbons said. “They fought to the very end and left everything on that court. That’s all you can ask for.”
Kortz capped his high school career in spectacular fashion, scoring a game-high 29 points, while Davis was a force in the paint with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Together, the duo accounted for 48 of Freedom’s 54 points, carrying the Irish within inches of a championship.
A Legacy Secured
While the loss stings, Freedom’s 2023-24 season will be remembered as one of the best in school history. The Irish cemented themselves among the state’s elite, delivering a deep playoff run and a championship fight that won’t soon be forgotten.
“Getting here was our goal from the start,” Davis said. “We competed with everything we had, and even though we came up short, this season was something special.”
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