State Tournament Preview: Division 5

<p>Breaking down the WIAA Division 5 state tournament, which will be played  Thursday at the La Crosse Center...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>(1) HUSTISFORD (16-3)</strong></p> <p><em>Road to State</em></p> <p>Defeated Fall River 77-35</p> <p>Defeated Cambria-Friesland 59-53</p> <p>Defeated Stockbridge 82-28</p> <p>Defeated Monticello 70-43</p> <p>Two of Hustisford’s three losses this season came to Lourdes Academy, who will compete for the Division 4 state title. In fact, the Falcons haven’t been defeated by a Division 5 foe all season. Northern Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id="764119" first="Dylan" last="Kuehl"], one of the most athletic forwards in the 2021 class, leads the way, shooting a blistering 63 percent from the floor in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>(4) WAUZKEA-STEUBEN (16-2)</strong></p> <p><em>Road to State</em></p> <p>Defeated Potosi 65-51</p> <p>Defeated North Crawford 56-49</p> <p>Defeated Port Edwards 55-47</p> <p>Defeated Royall 46-41</p> <p>Grinding their win to La Crosse with three wins by single digits in the playoffs, Wauzeka-Steuben has won 15 of their last 16 games entering the state tournament.  Upper Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id="879992" first="Gavin" last="Ralph"] leads the way at 18.9 ppg  for the Hornets.</p> <p><strong>(2) MCDONNELL CENTRAL (16-4)</strong></p> <p><em>Road to State</em></p> <p>Defeated Bruce 65-46</p> <p>Defeated Owen-Withee  71-50</p> <p>Defeated Drummond 53-38</p> <p>Defeated Turtle Lake 53-41</p> <p>Despite finishing tied for third in the Cloverbelt West, McDonnell Central has won six-straight games to make it to La Crosse. The Macks have made their playoff run look relatively easy, winning all four games by an average of  16.8 points. After dropping their first two games of the season, only Altoona has been able to knock off McDonnell Central since Dec. 19. </p> <p><strong>(3) GREEN BAY NEW LUTHERAN (16-10)</strong></p> <p><em>Road to State</em></p> <p>Defeated Suring 93-29</p> <p>Defeated Oneida Nation 59-51</p> <p>Defeated Goodman/Pembine 88-46</p> <p>Defeated Gresham Community 84-66</p> <p>Benefitting from a tough Packerland Conference schedule, NEW Lutheran was just 7-8 in league play, but proved to be playoff ready.  Getting hot at the right time, the Blazers have won 11 of their last 12 games heading to the La Crosse Central.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <p><strong>Marshal Bukowski (Green Bay NEW Lutheran)</strong></p> <p>The senior forward is averaging a near double-double this season at 19 points and eight rebounds per game. An inside-out threat, Bukowski is shooting 52 percent from the field and has also knocked down 28 triples. Bukowski has also recorded four double-doubles this season. </p> <p><strong>Logan Hughes (McDonnell Central Catholic)</strong></p> <p>The senior guard/wing is having a nice all-around season for McDonnell Central. Hughes leads the team in scoring (14.6 ppg), is second in rebounding (5.2 rpg), and first in assists (3.5 apg).</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="764119" first="Dylan" last="Kuehl"] (Hustisford)</p> <p>Averaging better than 23 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this season, Kuehl is committed to Northern Michigan. A very athletic combo forward who can play above the rim and shoot the ball from the outside. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="879992" first="Gavin" last="Ralph"] (Wauzeka-Steuben)</p> <p>Committed to Upper Iowa, Ralph is averaging just shy of 19 points per game this season. A skilled, well-rounded prospect, Ralph can play and defend multiple positions. Ralph leads the team in rebounding (10.1 rpg) and assists  (5.1 apg) this season as well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>