Basketball: Oconto Falls boys win home playoff game

OCONTO FALLS — The Oconto Falls High School boys basketball team battled through foul trouble in the first half of a Division 3 regional quarterfinal playoff game March 3 before controlling the second half and pulling away for a 68-57 victory over Brillion.

The seventh-seeded Panthers were in control in the opening minutes of the contest, scoring the first six points. Senior Jarod Parsons knocked down three jumpers to provide the points, while Oconto Falls’ defense stifled the 10th-seeded Lions.

The Panthers were able to extend the lead out to nine points before seniors Zach Parsons and Mitchell Manns were tagged with their second fouls in less than a minute span and with over eight minutes to play in the half.

Without two of their leaders, the Panthers saw their lead evaporate. The hosts trailed by three at halftime after being outscored 18-9 without Manns and Zach Parsons on the floor.

“We talked about keeping Mitch and Zach on the bench with two fouls as long as we could weather the storm,” said Oconto Falls coach Gary Regal. “We were down by three at halftime, so I guess we weathered it. Mitch and Zach got a little rest, but we can’t afford (those) guys in foul trouble.”

With the senior duo back on the floor in the second half, Oconto Falls regained the rhythm it had going early in the contest.

Zach Parsons scored the team’s first seven points to get the lead back, and the Panthers never relinquished it — despite several Brillion surges.

The teams traded buckets for the next several minutes before Oconto Falls went on a 10-2 run.

Sophomore Isaac Raddatz sparked the Panthers, getting a couple of steals on the defensive end that led to points on the offensive end for the hosts. Raddatz hit two 3-pointers and two free throws during the stretch, with Jarod Parsons tallying the other two points.

“We needed a spark. We were kind of down in the locker room, and we needed a spark,” said Raddatz. “I just tried to create for my team.”

Brillion continued to fight, eventually trimming Oconto Falls’ lead to three. But the Panthers went on a 6-0 run to create some breathing room with under six minutes to play.

The Panthers did a solid job of taking care of the ball and were able to drain some time off the clock before knocking down several free throws in the final two minutes to seal the victory.

“It means a lot (a home playoff win) because we haven’t had a home playoff game in a long time, and to win it in front of this crowd means everything,” said Jarod Parsons.

He led the team with 20 points after hitting 10 field goals. “I felt good. I was a little bit more amped up today, and I was ready for playoffs and ready to play.”

Raddatz scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half, while Zach Parsons tallied nine second-half points to finish with 13 for the game. Manns finished with 11 points, eight of which came in the final half.

“I’m really extremely pleased with the seniors. They’ve been leaders since day one. They came in and bought in to what we wanted to do, which was a complete change from some of the things they’ve done in the past,” said first-year coach Regal, of how his senior-led team turned in a solid season. “They trusted. They trusted each other and trusted the coaching staff and teammates, so that was huge.”

The Panthers hit the road Friday for a regional semifinal matchup against Freedom. The second-seeded Irish defeated Oconto Falls, 63-58.

Brillion 30 27 — 57

Oconto Falls 27 41 — 68

Oconto Falls (68): Joey Walters 3-4 5, Garrett Vervelde 0-0 3, Mitchell Manns 3-6 11, Isaac Raddatz 2-2 14, Jarod Parsons 0-0 20, Noah Hirst 0-0 2, Zach Parsons 1-2 13.

Brillion (57): Hunter Krepline 4-4 14, Mason Behnke 1-2 3, Cesar Hinojosa 1-2 9, Caeden Holly 0-0 5, Trevor Hartl 1-4 1, Boden Brooks 2-4 8, Jeremy Lorenz 1-2 17.

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