Game Report: Xavier 74, Winnebago Lutheran 55

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEYS TO THE GAME</strong><br><br>Visiting Xavier grabbed an 8-3 lead a few minutes into the contest, prompting Winnebago Lutheran coach Mason DeNoyer to call a quick timeout to settle his troops. In the end it didn't matter as Xavier dominated Friday's WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal from start to finish in putting up its 20th win of the season under coach Matt Klarner. The Hawks, seeded fifth, led 40-24 at intermission and WLA, seeded fourth, was never able to get its deficit under double digits in the second half as the Hawks cruised to the 74-55 win. Xavier's superior athleticism, skill level and shooting won out as the Hawks advanced to play at top-seeded Laconia Saturday in a regional final. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2434543' first='Logan' last='Ramczyk'] (6-2) led the way for Xavier with 27 points as four Xavier players reached double figures. Senior forward Cole Hietpas (6-3) had 14 points, two three-point baskets and 10 rebounds for Xavier while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2616479' first='Kyler' last='Bleck'] (5-11) added 12 and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2398588' first='Luke' last='Oelhafen'] (6-3) contributed 11. Quick junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2493633' first='Gannan' last='Schwartz'] (5-9) led all scorers with 28 points for WLA.<br><br><strong>STAR OF THE GAME</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2434543"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cc77dabdc25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ramczyk scored the first points of the game and didn't let up with his offensive aggressiveness as he continually beat defenders off the dribble to score in the lane and from the foul line. The talented 6-foot-2 point guard finished with 27 points while also contributing seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. His size, skill and feel for the game are all big assets for the Hawks and combine to make him one of the state's better collegiate prospects in the 2027 class. Ramczyk is averaging 20.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists while helping Xavier to 20 wins in 26 outings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EMERGING PLAYERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2398588"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cc745b0a5a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Oelhafen has taken a big step forward in his game over the past 12 months as the sweet-shooting forward is a more consistent scorer, shooter and rebounder for the Hawks. He had 11 points, eight rebounds and two nice assists from the high post in the win over Winnebago Lutheran. Oelhafen's ability to play inside and outside are big reasons for Xavier's success this winter. He played plenty as a junior, but has emerged as a go-to player during his senior campaign as he is averaging 15.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2616479"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cc745b0a603"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quick hands. That's the thing you notice first about Bleck. He's seemingly always getting his hands on the ball. He isn't an imposing defensive presence at 5-foot-11, but his craftiness in slapping the ball away from opponents is uncanny. He's also a terrific spot-up shooter. He finished with 14 points against WLA and is averaging 10.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 1.7 spg. He figures to be even better a year from now once he adds a bit more weight and strength to his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561878"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cc745b0a65e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A quick-on-quick lead guard who competes with outstanding ball handling skills and strong court vision, Schwartz has deep shooting range and can pull the trigger from well beyond the three-point arc. He finished with a game-high 28 points and drilled five three-point shots in the loss to Xavier while also doing a yeoman's job of taking care of the ball. Schwartz is somewhat limited by his size, but there is absolutely no questioning his speed, skill and shot making. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE BIG PICTURE</strong><br><br>Xavier moves on to take on another quality team from the Flyway Conference as the Hawks travel to Rosendale to take on Laconia in a regional final. The Hawks finished second in the Bay Conference, one game behind league-champion West De Pere. The Hawks have 20 games for yet another season under coach Matt Klarner, who is just five wins shy of reaching 300 for his coaching career.<br><br>Winnebago Lutheran, which split its season series with Laconia, ends its year with a 16-10 record under first-year coach Mason DeNoyer. The Vikings had some nice wins during the season, including a win over Flyway champion Saint Mary's Springs, and got great play from Schwartz all winter. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2949781' first='Isaac' last='LeMotte'] (5-10) played well off the bench for WLA against Xavier and figures to be a key player the next two seasons. <br><br><strong>BOXSCORE<br><br>Xavier (40-34 = 74)</strong><br>Ramczyk 27, Bleck 12, Gallucci 4, Hietpas 14, Oelhafen 11, Donnemeyer 0, Schuler 0, Gentry 0, Comerford 0, Neumann 6, Martinusz 0, Kappell 0. Three-point field goals: Bleck 2, Hietpas 2, Oelhafen 1, Ramczyk 1. FT: 21-31. Fouled out: None. Record: 20-6.<br><strong>Winnebago Lutheran (24-31 = 55)</strong><br>Christensen 12, Schwartz 28, Simon 0, Hansmann 0, McAuly 3, Loehr 0, Matthias 1, O'Brien 0, Reible 6, Gensler 0, LaMotte 5. Three-point field goals: Schwartz 5, Christensen 3, LaMotte 1. FT: 10-19. Fouled out: Christensen, McAuly. Record: 16-10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->