Oconto Falls scored five points in the final 32 seconds to edge Shawano 27-22 Thursday in a Bay Conference girls basketball matchup in Oconto Falls.
With the score tied at 22 each, Oconto Falls senior Kayla Virtues made a key layup to put the Panthers ahead by two points. Junior Bailey Wolf added the final three points, including a buzzer-beating layup.
Shawano coach Ryan Koenig took accountability for the loss.
“We didn’t execute anything, and that is my fault as a coach,” he said. “We were not prepared, and I have to do a better job of getting us prepared.”
The Hawks had won five of their last six games but were never in sync against Falls.
“Tonight was just a lack of things going our way,” Koenig said. “When we score 22 points, we are not going to win any games.”
Sophomore Jennifer Krueger, who led the Panthers with 10 points, knocked in four points to start the game for Oconto Falls. The Hawks, meanwhile, went scoreless until the middle of the first quarter when Meagan Ward hit one of two free throws.
Shawano (9-13, 6-10 Bay Conference) took a 7-6 lead on a layup by senior Courtney Vomastic, giving the Hawks their first of their four leads in the game.
Junior Sara Hokenstad kept Shawano in the game, scoring all of her team-leading seven points in the second half. Her 3-pointer in the final quarter gave the Hawks their final lead, 22-20.
“(Hokenstad) played really good tonight, especially in the second half,” Koenig said. “She had all of our points and kept us right there.”
The Hawks had an opportunity to tie the game in the closing seconds, but junior Madison Helmle made a key steal for Oconto Falls (9-13, 7-9 Bay Conference).
Coach Mike Kaczmarek Jr. knew his squad, which lost to the Hawks earlier this season in Shawano, played solid defense.
“Defensively, we have played really well all year,” he said. “We have been playing real well contesting shots and tried to limit their uncontested shots.”
The game was the final Bay Conference battle for the teams. Oconto Falls will move to the Eastern Valley Conference next year, but Koenig said the rivals will continue playing each other.
“We are going to keep up that relationship,” Koenig said. “Coach Kaczmarek is a good coach and a guy to work with.”
Shawano (22)
Mo. Klitzke 1 0-0 2, Me. Klitzke 0 1-2 1, Vomastic 2 0-0 4, Boda 2 1-4 5 , Hokenstad 3 0-0 7, Schreiber 1 0-0 2, Ward, 0 1-2 1.
Oconto Falls (27)
Helmle 1 0-0 2, Manns 2 0-0 5, Wolf 2 1-2 5, Virtues 2 1-4 5, Krueger 4 2-4 10.
Shawano 7 6 5 4 — 22
Oconto Falls 6 9 4 8 — 27
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