Shawano girls basketball team wins first regional title in 22 years

The Shawano Community High School girls basketball team delivered in clutch situations to claim a Division 2 regional title game over Antigo on Feb. 13 in Shawano. Shawano’s 41-33 victory gave the team its first regional title in 22 years.

“It really came down to we wanted it more,” said Shawano senior Avery Dreier. “This has been our dream since elementary school, and us seniors really wanted it.”

Shawano worked out to a 16-2 lead about 11 minutes into the game, but then hit a rough patch offensively. Luckily, Shawano’s defense was able to keep the team ahead.

Dreier made a free throw with 5:20 to play in the first half and then converted a field goal with about four minutes to play to make it a 19-6 game. Shawano didn’t score again until the 12:44 mark in the second half on a free throw by Brooke Theis.

The Hawks’ next field goal wasn’t until nearly halfway through the second half, at which point, Antigo had trimmed the host’s lead to six. The field goal was a big shot, as senior Rachel Reed connected on a 3-pointer.

Antigo responded with back-to-back triples to make it a 3-point game, 23-20, before Shawano finally got its offense flowing.

Sophie Hanauer converted a field goal to start an 8-0 Shawano run. Hanauer then converted a free throw before Theis knocked down a shot. Reed capped the run with another 3-pointer with about 5:40 to play.

Reed’s two triples were her first two made shots in the contest after a scoreless first half.

“During halftime, I just kind of thought about it. ‘What did I need to do to shoot?’ During halftime warmups, I really focused on what I needed to do — asked other players on the court, they’ll tell you,” said Reed. “I just set my feet more and thought I just breathed a little more and calmed down.”

Antigo was able to trim the deficit to five at a couple of points over the final minutes of the game, but senior Lydia Beyer and Reed combined to make nine free throws down the stretch to help Shawano seal the victory.

“This year’s been so crazy. Ups and downs and these girls just battled and battled through injuries — every single one has had an injury. We’ve battled through COVID. I’m just so proud of them, they came together at the right time," said Shawano coach Ryan Koenig.

“Their friendship means more than basketball. They are going to have lifelong goals and things they’re gonna do, but you’re always going to come back to this memory, and they can’t take that away. When that plaque’s on the wall, this team, all these girls and the coaches that are here tonight, that’s a memory we’ll have the rest of our lives. That’s the special part about everything.”

Dreier tallied a team-leading 11 points, all of which came in the first half. Reed and Beyer had nine points each.

Shawano was handed a No. 4 seed in its four-team sectional pod. The Hawks will travel to take on No. 1 seed Notre Dame on Feb. 18. The winner will take on No. 2 Freedom or No. 3 Xavier in the sectional final on Feb. 20.

Antigo 10 23 — 33

Shawano 19 22 — 41

Shawano (41): Lydia Beyer 6-8 9, Brianna Wright 0-0 2, Rachel Reed 3-4 9, Sophie Hanauer 2-4 4, Brooke Theis 2-4 6, Avery Dreier 3-6 11.

Antigo (33): Noelle Tischendorf 0-0 3, Natalie Dewey 1-1 3, Heather Arlen 1-2 3, Alonna Weix 1-1 9, Lily Weix 2-2 2, Sophie Schlieve 1-3 5, Greta Parsons 2-7 8.

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