The Wisner-Pilger Boys Basketball Team beat Stanton 37-28 in the C2-6 Sub-District Play-In Game from Norfolk Catholic Monday night in action aired on 107.9 the Bull before losing 47-37 to Wakefield in Tuesday night's Semifinals also aired on the Bull.
The Stanton game was tied at 12 after one before the Gators tripled up the Mustangs 6-2 in the 3rd quarter to lead 18-14 at halftime.
Stanton doubled up Wisner-Pilger 6-3 in the 3rd quarter to make it a 21-20 game at the end of three in favor of the Gators.
Wisner-Pilger doubled up the Mustangs 16-8 in the 4th quarter.
Wisner-Pilger had to rely on their defense. Head Coach Duane Mendlik. "Well we always feel our defense is what's going to make us play. And I always tell the kids that our defense is the one that makes our offense score. So I thought we did a pretty good job defensively tonight. Our offense struggled almost the whole night so defense was really important, and I think we made it difficult for them to try and get some shots off so I thought one of them was pretty good tonight and the other one of them was pretty poor."
Our Joel Janecek talked with Coach Mendlik about his win. "Well I told them that we're stinkin the place up first of all. We couldn't make a basket. They didn't use the board most of the time. We had easy shots in there. I felt if we'd of made some shots we'd of been up 10, 12, 15 points. We just did a very poor job of converting when we got down there."
Against the Trojans, the Gators cut the score to 33-31 at the end of the third quarter, but were held to just six points in the final frame as the Trojans pulled away late for the win.
Justin Pieper had 11 points to lead the Gators.
Mendlik. "We just made too many mistakes down the stretch. 4th quarter we made too many turnovers in the 4th quarter where we had opportunities possibly to tie, go ahead, that type of thing. Just one of those games they're a good ball club, they just make you do some things you don't want to do, and I felt we played pretty well. Defensively we did a pretty good job. I thought if the game was in the 40's we'd have a good chance, but didn't quite make it."
The Gators end their season at 15-10 overall.
Strong start to the season for Wisner-Pilger, but the Gators stumbled towards the end of the season, losing five out of their last seven.
Wisner-Pilger says goodbye to Caden Jackson and Jayden Raabe.
Those two were a big part of the team and will be missed greatly without a doubt.
Key returners are Regan Bellar, Trevor Styskal, Caden Schweers, Justin Pieper, Dylan Kneifl, and Colby Heller.
There was a lot of great things accomplished this year like Mendlik picking up his record setting win.
With that said, there are a lot of great players returning for the Gators and next year is their year to do something, in my opinion.
Wisner-Pilger will have a lot of seniors next year, and figures to be a really good and tough team.
The Gators have to dedicate this offseason to themselves and Coach Mendlik, and come in to the gym everyday ready to work hard and get better.
Wisner-Pilger has to dedicate themselves to getting faster, bigger, stronger, and more physical.
Playing the game often and taking part in as many open gyms, team camps, summer leagues, and weightlifting sessions as possible is super important for the Gators I feel.
Wisner-Pilger has to use the disappointment of how this season ended as motivation and fuel to the fire for next year.
The Gators have to work extremely hard to get to where they want next year, which they hope is the State Tournament.
It would be fitting for this team to make state next year, but we'll see what happens.
Wisner-Pilger has to wake up everyday motivated and ready to get after it.
The Gators have to improve in all aspects of the game, and get ready for a great run next year.
Wisner-Pilger has to go hard at it at all times and enhance every part of their game this offseason.
The Gators have to come back re-energized, anxious, hungry, and motivated when next season rolls around.
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