USM Falls Short in Playoff Game at Sheboygan Falls

Tuesday evening at Sheboygan Falls, the sixth-seeded Sheboygan Falls girls’ basketball team knocked eleventh-seeded University School out of the state tournament playoffs by defeating USM 47-31 in an opening round game of the Division 3 Sectional 4 Regional competition.

"I am in shock that the season is actually over," said USM's head coach Evan Burlew as he reviewed the evening's action. "The girls came ready to play tonight.  They played their hearts out tonight, and I am so proud of the way they played." 

Despite the Wildcats’ efforts, the higher-seeded Falcons took control of the play in the first quarter.  Sheboygan Falls’ tough defense held USM to eight points while the Falcons scored sixteen first-period points.  Burlew noted, “Offensively, we were frustrated early on, it was tough to get a good shot off.”  USM senior Catie Downey led the Wildcats in the quarter, scoring four points.  Senior Maddy Glaeser scored two points and sophomore Amber Baker also scored two points for USM.

Burlew also said, “Defensively, we played better at times then we have all season.”  The Wildcats defense improved in the second quarter, as USM held the Falcons to just twelve points.  Unfortunately, the USM offense was still not clicking.  Baker scored all seven of the Wildcats’ points in the quarter, on two successful two-point shots and one three-point shot. 

The Falcons kept the game under control in the third quarter, out scoring USM 14-8 to take a nineteen-point lead at 42-23.  USM’s Baker scored five points on another three-pointer and two successes at the free throw line.  Sophomore Stormy Palmer scored two points in the quarter and Downey scored one.

Despite Sheboygan Falls’ lead, the Wildcats kept playing with persistence.  “We were able to get some better looks in the second half and we were able to cut the lead to twelve early on in the fourth quarter,” said Burlew.  USM outscored the Falcons in the final eight minutes 8-5.  Downey led the way, scoring seven points, including a three pointer.  Glaeser added one point.  Burlew commented on the effort that Downey and Glaeser displayed, “Catie and Maddy showed their leadership and determination as they led the team to the final buzzer in their final varsity game.”

In the game, Sheboygan Falls junior Staci Hasler led all scorers with 26 points and Nicole Fenner had 10 points for the Falcons.  Baker led USM with a total of 14 points.  Downey scored 12 points. Glaeser scored 3 points and Parker scored 2 points.

Sheboygan Falls now has a 12-11 record and will continue on in the state tournament regionals.  USM closed its season with a 5-14 record.