What began as a feel-good Senior Night of high energy, neat execution and pinpoint shooting at Shawano Community High School came disturbingly close to an episode of Monster Chiller Horror Theater.
The Hawks had visiting Oconto Falls on the ropes Thursday night, opening up a 21-point second-half lead and threatening to run the Panthers out of the gym, but couldn’t close the deal.
Oconto Falls fought back and came to within three points with less than two minutes to play before the Hawks pulled it together to avoid a full-blown nightmare, 63-57.
“We didn’t play as well as I would’ve liked,” Shawano coach Chris Kellett said. “Some of our defensive rotations weren’t good, and once they hit a couple of 3-pointers they started playing with some confidence.”
It was Shawano that came out with the confident air, as freshman Eric Carl (17 points) hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter that got the Hawks (16-5, 10-5 Bay Conference) out to the fast start.
Oconto Falls (4-16, 1-14 Bay Conference) made some adjustments to counteract Carl’s marksmanship, but also waiting in the open wings for the Hawks were guards Braden Mueller (14 points) and Zach Sousek (12 points), both of whom nailed important buckets throughout the night.
“Mueller had a big game for us, and we needed it,” Kellett said. “When they started focusing on Eric, Braden hit a couple of big shots for us.”
“I was glad my shot was there,” Mueller said. “We needed everybody at the end.”
Shawano led 23-22 after Tyler Hagemeier’s bucket had brought the Panthers to within one with 3:10 left in the half, and then proceeded to go on a 20-0 run that appeared to have settled things early.
The 43-22 deficit was temporary, as Oconto Falls came back behind the strong inside play of Michael Fifield (18 points, six rebounds) and the accurate shooting of Hagemeier, Jack Huberty and Riley Gruetzmacher, all of whom scored 12 points each.
“Jack Huberty played his best game all year,” Oconto Falls coach Kirk Hirst said. “To come back like we did, against a very good team like Shawano, I couldn’t be more proud of our guys. Shawano will probably be a No. 1 seed in its regional. This is a very good, well-coached team, and I’m really happy about how tough we played them.”
With Oconto Falls draining 3-pointers with regularity, the outcome was in question until a neatly executed play by the Hawks effectively ended it with :38 left in regulation.
The Panthers, trailing 58-53, applied a full-court press and were denying the inbounds pass when Mueller spotted a streaking Sousek, breaking open on a fly pattern. Sousek caught the perfect heave in stride and converted the layup that finally slammed the door on the persistent visitors.
“That’s our favorite play in that situation,” Mueller said.
“Our (regional) seeding meeting is Monday,” Kellett said. “We’ll see what happens. But we’re playing well enough right now. I think we’re going to be ready (for the playoffs).”
Oconto Falls (57)
Hagemeier 5 0-0 12, Huberty 5 0-0 12, Manns 1 0-0 3, Gruetzmacher 5 2-5 12, Fifield 7 3-4 18.
Shawano (63)
Mueller 5 0-0 14, Sousek 5 2-2 12, Bartz 1 0-0 3, Jack Lacy 2 3-4 7, Carl 5 2-2 17, Hintz 0 0-5 0, Gueths 2 6-9 10.
Oconto Falls 12 10 14 21 — 57
Shawano 16 22 11 14 — 63
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