Oconto Falls High School coach Mike Kaczmarek Jr. could not be more pleased with senior Kayla Virtues’ performance Thursday in the Panthers’ 27-22 victory over Shawano.
It was the perfect night for the senior to make a statement as fans honored her and leading scorer Liz Manns on Senior Night.
Virtues made a decisive layup to break a 22-22 tie with 32 seconds remaining in the game.
“I was really happy for her,” Kaczmarek said. “She made a big shot at a crucial time of the game for us. I am glad that Bailey Wolf found her down in the post.”
“I knew it was going to be a game-breaker for us and I was open for awhile and I waited for Bailey to get the ball to me and took my time with the shot,” Virtues said.
Virtues, who made one of four free throws, was elated that she was given an opportunity to redeem herself at a critical time of the game.
“I was relieved because my free throws just weren’t going in,” said Virtues, who finished with five points.
The 5-foot-8 senior also led Oconto Falls in rebounds with 12.
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).
After Virtues’ key layup, Wolf scored the final three points for the Panthers, who lost to the Hawks earlier this season in Shawano.
“She played through sickness and it was very tough for her to breathe. … I commended her on her efforts,” Kaczmarek said. “When it was crunch time, Bailey is on the floor.”
Wolf also accounted for four of the Panthers’ seven assists and had a steal.
Sophomore Jennifer Krueger, who led the Panthers with 10 points, knocked in four points to start the game. The Hawks, meanwhile, went scoreless until the middle of the first quarter when Meagan Ward hit one of two free throws.
Kaczmarek credited his team with maintaining control of the game.
“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.”
Shawano (9-13, 6-10 Bay Conference) had won five of its last six games but was never in sync against Falls.
“Tonight was just a lack of things going our way,” coach Ryan Koenig said. “When we score 22 points, we are not going to win any games.”
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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