D2 Semifinal Recap: 2026 WIAA State Tournament

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game 1: #1 Slinger (24-4) vs. #4 McFarland (23-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Division two heavyweight matchup, this game did not disappoint in the afternoon session in the first half. This game was loaded with underclassmen talent that showed up to perform on the biggest stage. It is hard to believe [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2140920' first='Garrett' last='Crull']'s high school careers still have room for more chapters. [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] opened the game with the first five points for McFarland. After the media timeout, the Owls responded with a 14-2 run midway through the first half. The Spartans punched back and came storming back behind the dynamic scoring duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2140920' first='Garrett' last='Crull'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] to lead at half 30-28. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slinger made some halftime adjustments to tighten up on [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], starting the half in a full faceguard on Krueger, sparking a 12-4 run in the first four minutes. An unsung hero of this game was [player_tooltip player_id='2508415' first='Jude' last='Siikarla'], who spent a ton of time guarding [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] in the second half, disrupting the rhythm of the McFarland offense. When asked about the halftime messaging to turn up the heat defensively, Coach Alex Lavine stated, "We needed to be more physical but we also needed to take a deep breath. We had Joey Jack, Jude taking turns guarding Krueger. " Slinger behind the playmaking and scoring of the Kohnen brothers blew the game completely open and cruised to a 83-56 victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] put up a near triple double on Friday afternoon. Kohnen is ranked #3 in the 2027 class and will without a doubt pick up an enormous amount of attention from major power five schools. Kohnen is so skilled, athletic, and crafty and was impossible to guard in this 1/4 matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2874937' first='Bryson' last='Fogle'] stepped up when the lights were the brighest. The six-foot- one senior finished the semifinal game with 20 points. Fogle scored at will going to the basket and attacking the McFarland man to man defense. "It was a good day, to have a good day," Fogle said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], ranked #8 in the 2027 class, was outstanding in this game. The six-foot-nine junior can score at will inside, step out and shoot it well, and has elite court vision finding his teammates if/when the doubles come at him. His efforts despite the loss, did not go unnoticed. Krueger finished the game with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Box Score:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Slinger</strong> (<strong>28+55= 83</strong>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] 11, Mantz 5, [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] 35, Fogle 20, Siikarla 6, Berger 3, Sherman 2, Bonlender 1. FTs: 3-10, 3FG: 8-17. No Players Fouled out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McFarland</strong> (<strong>30+26= 56)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fischer 4, Crull 15, Krueger 26, Bosold 2, Fortune 4, Christenson 3, Lazo 2. FT's 9-12, 3FG: 3-14. No players fouled out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game #2: #2 West Salem (24-4) vs. #3 Whitefish Bay (22-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 2/3 matchup in the second game of the afternoon session, both teams traded blows to start the game. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'] came out firing scoring at will at the rim and getting in transition for easy layups. Miskel scored 11 out of their first 13 points. Head Coach Shane Schmeling to counteract WFB's downhill takes, switched to a compacted 1-3-1 zone that gave WFB troubles in the half court and in transition. This flipped the momentum of the first half as the Blue Dukes shot 1 for 9 in the first 18 minutes from downtown. West Salem led 30-24 at half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2423288' first='Tyson' last='Labus'] three first half threes, and some crafty post moves to see the tone for the game. He had 13 in the first half to lead all scorers at break. Labus is headed to D3 UW- Superior next year to continue his basketball career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitefish Bay came out of the halftime gates on fire defensively. The Blue Dukes came out in a full court run and jump and applied relentless ball pressure in the half court to get several easy buckets early in the second half. Whitefish Bay shot much better in the second half and pulled West Salem out of their zone, playing to their pace and strengths offensively. West Salem's [player_tooltip player_id='2423288' first='Tyson' last='Labus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2500048' first='Nathan' last='Dillaber'] hit clutch three point baskets in the last minute of the game to make things interesting at the end of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trio of guards of [player_tooltip player_id='2500873' first='Marcus' last='Webb'], [player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien'] were the difference in the game and WFB advancing to the state championship. Their quickness and playmaking was too much for West Salem to overcome. Whitefish Bay survived late game efforts by West Salem's pressure full court defense and converted clutch free throws to meet Slinger again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'] provided a dynamic scoring duo for the Blue Dukes. Julien had three second half threes and finished with 21 points. Miskel was constantly on the attack getting to the rim with his quickness to score and find wide open teammates for uncontested threes and dumpoff layups. Mace finished with 17 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Division two state championship will be the third matchup between the two North Shore Conference squads. Slinger won both meetings by a combined three points. Slinger is seeking their first state title in school history, while Whitefish Bay is searching for their fourth Gold Ball, and their first since 2011. Tip off is scheduled at 6:35pm at the Kohl Center tomorrow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Box Score</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Whitefish Bay</strong> <strong>(24+ 40=64)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miskel 17, Webb 13, Broderson 8, Julien 21, Muderlak 5. FT's 15-19. 3FG- 7-19. No players fouled out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Salem </strong>(<strong>30+28= 58)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Labus 23, Schmidt 3, Dillaber 9, McConkey 6, Corcoran 17. FT's 6-3. 3FG:10-30. No players fouled out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->