By NATE BEIER | For the County Line
There was plenty at stake in the final week of the girls basketball regular season — namely, a conference title.
But an overabundance of weather cancellations forced most teams to play at least twice in a row last week, though several teams played three straight nights.
Royall was one of the teams that was still not eliminated from title contention, but needed to win its three games and get some help in to hoist a league title.
The Panthers took care of business, defeating New Lisbon, Necedah, and Wonewoc-Center to close out the year, but didn’t get the help needed to win a share of this year’s conference title. Instead, the Panthers settled for a second-place tie with Necedah.
Royall 65, New Lisbon 59
The Panthers’ three-pronged attack by Jessica Brueggeman, Cheyenne Harris, and Molly Olson helped fend off Mya Delgado and New Lisbon on Feb. 13. Delgado’s 23 led all scorers in the loss. But Olson was the game’s second-leading scorer with 17, plus Harris added 14 and Brueggeman 11.
Harris tallied a game-high seven rebounds, Emma Gruen had five assists, and Brueggeman and Olson each had three steals.
Royall 36, Necedah 35
This game came down to the final seconds and then some as Royall managed to hold off Necedah in a crucial conference contest Feb. 14.
Royall built a 16–11 halftime lead, but Necedah slowly cut the deficit once the second half started. Royall went up 27–25 at the 11-minute mark, and then proceeded to go scoreless for the next 6 1/2 minutes. The Cardinals tied the game at 27 with 10:46 remaining, and then took a 29–27 lead with just under eight minutes to play. Royall’s Emma Gruen finished a layup and was fouled at the 4:30 mark. Gruen sank the free throw and Royall held a 30–29 lead.
Necedah took a 35–32 lead with just over two minutes to play. That proved to be the final basket for the home team. Royall’s Gruen went to the free-throw line multiple times, but a foul on a shot attempt gave her the chance to put her team up by one with 22 seconds left to play. Gruen’s make at the free-throw line put Royall up 36–35. The defense swarmed any Necedah player that attempted to catch a pass. The Panthers forced Necedah to inbound the ball three times in the final eight seconds, and pressured enough to keep the home team from getting one last shot.
The loss moved Necedahinto a tie for second place with Cashton and Royall, while giving Bangor a clear shot at winning a fifth straight league title.
Royall 29, Wonewoc-Center 23
Royall needed a win to stay eligible for a conference title as it hosted Wonewoc-Center on Feb. 15.
The Wolves held a 17–16 halftime lead, but were outscored by 7 in the second half by the home team. Royall’s win was sparked by Jessica Brueggeman’s 9 points.
Celebration of a conference championship was cancelled, as Bangor upended Cashton in the season finale, giving the Cardinals full possession of the league title.
Royall finished the regular season 17–5 and was 13–3 in league play.
WIAA Regional
Royall doubled up Weston in the opening round of Division 5 regional play by 52–26. Emma Gruen ended with 13, and Kaylin Gruen had 12. Royall will host Lincoln on Friday night in a regional semifinal.