LA CROSSE — Aquinas High School junior Logan Becker concentrated more on attacking the basket Saturday night, and his success in doing so helped the Blugolds advance to a WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinal.
Becker knocked down a couple of 3-pointers but concentrated more on the rim as he scored 26 points and led top-seeded Aquinas to a 60-51 victory over Fall Creek at the Reinhart Athletic Complex.
The win makes the Blugolds (22-3) regional champions and gives them a sectional semifinal game against sixth-seeded Onalaska Luther (21-6) at Osseo-Fairchild on Thursday. The Knights slipped past second-seeded Eau Claire Regis 70-67 on Saturday.
The Crickets were within 46-44 with 5 minutes remaining before Finley Strom fed Becker for an easy basket on the next possession. The second of two missed free throws by Fall Creek was rebounded by Brayden Young, An offensive board by Young at the other end kept the ball with the Blugolds, and Becker found Calvin Bahr open under the hoop for a 50-44 advantage with 3:35 left.
That was followed by another hoop by Bahr as the Blugolds started putting away their second victory over Fall Creek this season.
Young finished with 14 points and Bahr with nine as Aquinas gave itself the chance to become a sectional champion for the second season in a row.
Luther 70, Regis 67
EAU CLAIRE — The Knights moved in front midway through the first half and never relinquished the advantage in a win over the second seed.
Luther received a double-double (23 points, 10 rebounds) from senior Will Huelskamp and took a 38-27 lead into the second half.
The Knights shot 48 percent from the floor (26 of 54) and made 7 of 18 attempts from the 3-point line. Huelskamp and Brody Greeno each made two from the 3-point line, and Greeno finished with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Huelskamp made 9 of 18 shots, and both hit 2 of 4 attempts from long-range.
Senior Synclair Byus had 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds for Luther. Jackson Kendall added six assists.
The Knights will play top-seeded Aquinas in the sectional semifinal round and try to avenge a 57-53 loss to the Blugolds in La Crosse on Feb. 10.
Onalaska 80, Mosinee 67
ONALASKA — The top-seeded Hilltoppers (19-7) qualified to play West Salem (19-6) in a Thursday sectional semifinal at Logan by dominating the end of their game against Mosinee.
Onalaska pulled away from a 61-59 advantage and scored 19 of the final 27 points to become a regional champion. Junior Ian Kowal started that run with a drive to the basket with 4:36 remaining, and freshman Tyler Kowal followed a missed shot at the other end with another successful drive to the hoop.
Another missed shot by Mosinee was rebounded by Jack Smith, and that possession turned into a three-point play for senior Broden Steiner. The seven-point burst was all Onalaska needed to take control for good.
Ian Kowal and Steiner each finished with 23 points, and Noah Chenault added 20 for the Hilltoppers, who lost a 79-63 regular-season matchup with West Salem.
WIAA REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
Saturday’s Regional Finals
DIVISION 2
West Salem 66, Central 59 (2 OT)
Onalaska 80, Mosinee 67
DIVISION 4
Aquinas 60, Fall Creek 51
Onalaska Luther 70, Eau Claire Regis 67
DIVISION 5
C-FC 57, Loyal 43
Marshfield Columbus 50, Alma Center Lincoln 40
North Crawford 66, Potosi 59
Royall 60, Highland 53 (OT)
