 STEPHEN STREET soared over a Howards Grove defender in Ozaukee’s regional semifinal win Friday.
Photo by Sam Arendt
Top-ranked Dutch dash Ozaukee boys’ postseason dreams with dominant win
One of the best Ozaukee boys’ basketball seasons in recent memory came to an end at the hands of relentless foe last Saturday.
Oostburg, the state’s top-ranked Division 4 team, played the role of culprit by cruising to a 51-31 win in a WIAA regional title game at Sheboygan South High School.
The Flying Dutchmen showed why they are undefeated and a strong favorite to win a state championship by quickly dashing Ozaukee’s upset plans. They raced to an 18-6 lead in the first
quarter and never looked back.
After losing twice to Oostburg in Central Lakeshore Conference play, the Warriors were poised to derail the Dutch in a rematch. Instead, they finished the season 19-6, with half of their losses
coming against Oostburg (24-0).
Stifling defense allowed Oostburg to hold Ozaukee to single-digit scoring in three quarters. Although the Warriors remained trailed by only 27-16 at halftime, the margin grew to 38-22 after three periods.
Three Oostburg players scored in double figures, led by sophomore forward Josiah VerVelde with 13 points. Mike Keller and Alex Stecker added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Ozaukee got a game-high 16 points from senior guard Alex Janke, who eclipsed the 1,000-point mark on the last basket of his high school career.
No other Warrior had more than four points.
Ozaukee 52, Howards Grove 44
The Warriors avenged a loss and advanced to the regional title game with a semifinal victory at home last Friday.
Ozaukee, whose last defeat in Central Lakeshore Conference play came against Howards Grove on Feb. 8, grabbed control early and held a 16-10 edge after one quarter.
The lead grew to 28-18 at halftime before the Tigers rallied to pull within 42-37 with 2 minutes, 32 seconds left in the game.
However, Janke sank nine of 10 free throws in the last 1:12 to ice the victory.
Janke led all scorers with 24 points.
Also for Ozaukee, forward Eric Hartnett had 10 points, and Pat Kroening and Steve Street each added nine.
Mike Davis had 10 points to lead the Tigers (14-10).
Ozaukee 64, St. Mary’s Springs 42
A slow start failed to keep the Warriors to posting an easy home win in a regional quarterfinal game March 1.
St. Mary’s Springs (3-19) held a 7-6 lead after one quarter, but Ozaukee rallied to go ahead, 23-18, by halftime.
In the third period, Hartnett scored 11 points to help the Warriors build a 46-33 lead.
Janke finished with a game-high 24 points and had five assists. Hartnett had 17 points and 17 rebounds, and Pat Kroening added 11 points.
Springs got 10 points from Eric Feldner.
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