State Tournament Notebook: D1 semifinals

Wisconsin Lutheran 58, Oshkosh North 57 *** Definitely in the running for the best game of the 2025 WIAA State Tournament, Wisconsin Lutheran fans held their collective breath as [player_tooltip player_id='2824968' first='Tylan' last='Lister'] of Oshkosh North put up a three from the left side of the top of the key with just seconds left in a 58-57 game. The shot was just off the mark and Wisconsin Lutheran celebrated a hard-earned Division 1 state semifinal win. And after winning the Division 2 state crown last season, Wisconsin Lutheran now advances to the D1 final. The Vikings accomplished their victory despite both [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] missing the front end of a bonus free-throw situation in the closing minute. The entire crowd at the Kohl Center rose to its feet when Oshkosh North inbounded the ball with :08.2 left. The Spartans couldn't get the ball to their star senior, [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'], but instead got it to Lister, who had moments earlier buried a baseline triple to make it 58-57. Although Lister's shot was off the mark, Oshkosh North fans can't complain about the look the Spartans got at the end. *** Mitchell, who earlier in the day was presented with the prestigious Mr. Basketball award by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association, was defended well all game, primarily by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel']. The Vikings held Mitchell scoreless until the 6:17 mark of the first half. But the Iowa State recruit broke loose a bit after that as he scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Still, Mitchell had to work extremely hard to get those points as Knueppel got help from his teammates whenever Mitchell tried to take the ball to the hoop. Knueppel made a huge block on a short shot by Mitchell just prior to the Spartans inbounding the ball for the final eight seconds. Mitchell finished his brilliant four-year varsity career with 2,824 points -- third all-time in state history -- and had 1,006 points this season in 29 games. *** Wisconsin Lutheran led 37-27 at intermission and scored just 21 points in the second half. Turnovers hurt the Vikings some as they had 14 that led to 13 Oshkosh North points. Foul trouble was also an issue as Zens finished with four fouls and had to sit some in the second half. Still, the Vikings found a way to get the win when their offense sputtered during the second half. *** [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] continues to play at a very high level for Wisconsin Lutheran. The talented 6-foot-7 junior forward had 22 points and six rebounds, and he was able to score inside and outside. His versatility, strength and skill are all outstanding and a major reason Wisconsin Lutheran is 27-2. *** [player_tooltip player_id='1973108' first='Alex' last='Greene'] had 11 points, four rebounds and two assists for Wisconsin Lutheran and scored six straight points down the stretch. The NCAA Division III recruit for Concordia University in Mequon has tremendous physical size and strength and is a match-up problem because of his ability to punish his size or smaller. *** Oshkosh North loses Mitchell to graduation, but the Spartans will still field a competitive team next winter. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'] (10 points), [player_tooltip player_id='2784342' first='Jackson' last='Anderson'] (eight points), [player_tooltip player_id='2824968' first='Tylan' last='Lister'] (three points), [player_tooltip player_id='2498969' first='Owen' last='Weber'] and Dalton Clark all played at least four minutes today and return to form a solid nucleus for coach Brad Weber in 2025-26. BOXSCORE Oshkosh North (27-30 = 57) Mitchell 27, Ott 10, Anderson 8, Coleman 9, Stojilovic 0, Weber 0, Lister 3, Clark 0. Three-point field goals: Coleman 3, Mitchell 1, Lister 1. FT: 14-14. Fouled out: None. Record: 19-10. Wisconsin Lutheran (37-21 = 58) Greene 11, Kag. Knueppel 13, Mellock 6, Langebartels 4, Zens 22, Walz 0, Kin. Knueppel 2, Rice 0. Three-point field goals: Kag. Knueppel 3, Zens 2, Mellock 1. FT: 10-15. Fouled out: None. Record: 27-2. Marshfield 57, Waunakee 47 *** It seemed like every time Marshfield needed a big basket, [player_tooltip player_id='1244808' first='Brooks' last='Hinson'] responded. Whether he was swishing three-of-four three-point shots or putting the game away by making seven-of-10 foul shots, Hinson was the answer man for the Tigers. The 6-foot-2 senior combination guard was instrumental in lifting Marshfield over Waunakee, and now the Tigers get the chance to play for the school's first state boys' basketball title on Saturday. Marshfield will meet Wisconsin Lutheran in the D1 title game at the Kohl Center and the Tigers figure to need another huge game from Hinson, the Northern Michigan recruit who had 18 points and seven rebounds against Waunakee while also doing a stellar job of guarding the Warriors' best player, [player_tooltip player_id='2042435' first='Kaden' last='MacKenzie']. *** Speaking of MacKenzie, he finished with just eight points, well below his season average of 16.9 ppg. Always a cerebral player who is more than happy to move the ball to open teammates, MacKenzie was just three-of-seven from the field, one-of-three from beyond the arc and one-of-two from the line. In a low-scoring game, his presence on the court was still valuable as he finished with three rebounds, three steals and an assist. But the Warriors would have greatly benefitted from MacKenzie at least hitting his season scoring average. *** Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1973149' first='Chris' last='Pohl'] (6-8) had 17 points, four rebounds and two assists for Marshfield. He had a few shots that failed to reach the rim, but he also made two triples and connected on all eight of his foul shots. One of the better class of 2026 prospects in the state, Pohl has a big spring and summer coming up in terms of trying to pick up a NCAA Division I scholarship. But first, he will have to try to slow the potent frontline of Wisconsin Lutheran in Saturday's title game. BOXSCORE Waunakee (21-26 = 47) MacKenzie 8, Murray 5, Ellickson 13, Selk 7, V. Johnson 8, DuCharme 1, M. Johnson 2, Hanzel 3, Wagner 0, Cliff 0, Hughley 0, Ralph 0, Fath 0. Three-point field goals: Ellickson 3, MacKenzie 1, Murray 1, Hanzel 1. FT: 5-11. Fouled out: None. Record: 23-6. Marshfield (27-30 = 57) Pohl 17, Ketterer 3, Hinson 18, Lee 9, Ramberg 2, Kolstad 6, Knecht 2, Hamill 0, Sternitzky 0, Steinbach 0, Machtan 0. Three-point field goals: Hinson 3, Lee 1, Pohl 1. FT: 18-22. Fouled out: None. Record: 23-6.

Wisconsin Lutheran 58, Oshkosh North 57

*** Definitely in the running for the best game of the 2025 WIAA State Tournament, Wisconsin Lutheran fans held their collective breath as Tylan Lister Tylan Lister 6'1" | CG Oshksoh North | 2026 State WI of Oshkosh North put up a three from the left side of the top of the key with just seconds left in a 58-57 game. The shot was just off the mark and Wisconsin Lutheran celebrated a hard-earned Division 1 state semifinal win. And after winning the Division 2 state crown last season, Wisconsin Lutheran now advances to the D1 final. The Vikings accomplished their victory despite both Kager Knueppel Kager Knueppel 6'9" | SF/SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2027 State WI and Zavier Zens Zavier Zens 6'7" | SF Wisconsin Lutheran | 2026 State WI missing the front end of a bonus free-throw situation in the closing minute. The entire crowd at the Kohl Center rose to its feet when Oshkosh North inbounded the ball with :08.2 left. The Spartans couldn't get the ball to their star senior, Xzavion Mitchell Xzavion Mitchell 6'7" | SF Oshkosh North | 2025 State #119 Nation WI , but instead got it to Lister, who had moments earlier buried a baseline triple to make it 58-57. Although Lister's shot was off the mark, Oshkosh North fans can't complain about the look the Spartans got at the end.

*** Mitchell, who earlier in the day was presented with the prestigious Mr. Basketball award by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association, was defended well all game, primarily by sophomore Kager Knueppel Kager Knueppel 6'9" | SF/SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2027 State WI . The Vikings held Mitchell scoreless until the 6:17 mark of the first half. But the Iowa State recruit broke loose a bit after that as he scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Still, Mitchell had to work extremely hard to get those points as Knueppel got help from his teammates whenever Mitchell tried to take the ball to the hoop. Knueppel made a huge block on a short shot by Mitchell just prior to the Spartans inbounding the ball for the final eight seconds. Mitchell finished his brilliant four-year varsity career with 2,824 points -- third all-time in state history -- and had 1,006 points this season in 29 games.

*** Wisconsin Lutheran led 37-27 at intermission and scored just 21 points in the second half. Turnovers hurt the Vikings some as they had 14 that led to 13 Oshkosh North points. Foul trouble was also an issue as Zens finished with four fouls and had to sit some in the second half. Still, the Vikings found a way to get the win when their offense sputtered during the second half.

*** Zavier Zens Zavier Zens 6'7" | SF Wisconsin Lutheran | 2026 State WI continues to play at a very high level for Wisconsin Lutheran. The talented 6-foot-7 junior forward had 22 points and six rebounds, and he was able to score inside and outside. His versatility, strength and skill are all outstanding and a major reason Wisconsin Lutheran is 27-2.

*** Alex Greene Alex Greene 6'4" | SF Wisconsin Lutheran | 2025 State WI had 11 points, four rebounds and two assists for Wisconsin Lutheran and scored six straight points down the stretch. The NCAA Division III recruit for Concordia University in Mequon has tremendous physical size and strength and is a match-up problem because of his ability to punish his size or smaller.

*** Oshkosh North loses Mitchell to graduation, but the Spartans will still field a competitive team next winter. Juniors Bryce Ott Bryce Ott 6'7" | SF Oshkosh North | 2026 State WI (10 points), Jackson Anderson Jackson Anderson 6'0" | PG Oshkosh North | 2026 State WI (eight points), Tylan Lister Tylan Lister 6'1" | CG Oshksoh North | 2026 State WI (three points), Owen Weber Owen Weber 6'7" | SF Oshkosh North | 2026 State WI and Dalton Clark all played at least four minutes today and return to form a solid nucleus for coach Brad Weber in 2025-26.

BOXSCORE

Oshkosh North (27-30 = 57)
Mitchell 27, Ott 10, Anderson 8, Coleman 9, Stojilovic 0, Weber 0, Lister 3, Clark 0. Three-point field goals: Coleman 3, Mitchell 1, Lister 1. FT: 14-14. Fouled out: None. Record: 19-10.
Wisconsin Lutheran (37-21 = 58)
Greene 11, Kag. Knueppel 13, Mellock 6, Langebartels 4, Zens 22, Walz 0, Kin. Knueppel 2, Rice 0. Three-point field goals: Kag. Knueppel 3, Zens 2, Mellock 1. FT: 10-15. Fouled out: None. Record: 27-2.

Marshfield 57, Waunakee 47

*** It seemed like every time Marshfield needed a big basket, Brooks Hinson Brooks Hinson 6'2" | PG Marshfield | 2025 State #251 Nation WI responded. Whether he was swishing three-of-four three-point shots or putting the game away by making seven-of-10 foul shots, Hinson was the answer man for the Tigers. The 6-foot-2 senior combination guard was instrumental in lifting Marshfield over Waunakee, and now the Tigers get the chance to play for the school's first state boys' basketball title on Saturday. Marshfield will meet Wisconsin Lutheran in the D1 title game at the Kohl Center and the Tigers figure to need another huge game from Hinson, the Northern Michigan recruit who had 18 points and seven rebounds against Waunakee while also doing a stellar job of guarding the Warriors' best player, Kaden MacKenzie Kaden MacKenzie 6'4" | CG Waunakee | 2025 State WI .

*** Speaking of MacKenzie, he finished with just eight points, well below his season average of 16.9 ppg. Always a cerebral player who is more than happy to move the ball to open teammates, MacKenzie was just three-of-seven from the field, one-of-three from beyond the arc and one-of-two from the line. In a low-scoring game, his presence on the court was still valuable as he finished with three rebounds, three steals and an assist. But the Warriors would have greatly benefitted from MacKenzie at least hitting his season scoring average.

*** Junior Chris Pohl Chris Pohl 6'8" | PF/SF Marshfield | 2026 State WI (6-8) had 17 points, four rebounds and two assists for Marshfield. He had a few shots that failed to reach the rim, but he also made two triples and connected on all eight of his foul shots. One of the better class of 2026 prospects in the state, Pohl has a big spring and summer coming up in terms of trying to pick up a NCAA Division I scholarship. But first, he will have to try to slow the potent frontline of Wisconsin Lutheran in Saturday's title game.

BOXSCORE

Waunakee (21-26 = 47)
MacKenzie 8, Murray 5, Ellickson 13, Selk 7, V. Johnson 8, DuCharme 1, M. Johnson 2, Hanzel 3, Wagner 0, Cliff 0, Hughley 0, Ralph 0, Fath 0. Three-point field goals: Ellickson 3, MacKenzie 1, Murray 1, Hanzel 1. FT: 5-11. Fouled out: None. Record: 23-6.
Marshfield (27-30 = 57)
Pohl 17, Ketterer 3, Hinson 18, Lee 9, Ramberg 2, Kolstad 6, Knecht 2, Hamill 0, Sternitzky 0, Steinbach 0, Machtan 0. Three-point field goals: Hinson 3, Lee 1, Pohl 1. FT: 18-22. Fouled out: None. Record: 23-6.