State Tournament Memories
The 1985-86 Prairie du Chien basketball team was, front row: Chris Klema, Jeff Nelson, Tom Trautsch, Tom Hinkel and Jim McClusky. Middle row: Name not known, Bob McClain, Mike Heisz, Jaaren Riebe and Scott Shedivy. Back row: Head Coach Mike Urbach, Alex Dearborn, Dennis Esser, Don Steger, Andy Banasik and Assistant Coach Pat Gasser.
Statebound Blackhawks bring back memories
By Ted Pennekamp
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks have earned a trip to the State Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison, and that accomplishment has spurred thoughts among area residents of other teams throughout the school’s history that also played at state.
The last time a team from Prairie du Chien High School played in the State Tournament was in 1986. The 1985-86 team won the SWAL Conference, were regional champions, sectional champions and state runners-up.
The dedication and efforts of all players and coaches made each game an exciting and entertaining show for Prairie’s fans. The team was noted for its aggressive and unselfish style of play which served it very well indeed.
According to the WIAA website, the 1986 Class B State Championship game pitted Chilton against Prairie du Chien in the University of Wisconsin Fieldhouse. Chilton eked out the 45-44 overtime victory. Prairie had previously beaten Phillips 82-60 in their Class B semifinal. Prairie du Chien finished with a 21-4 record.
Andy Banasik, the Blackhawks’ current coach, was a senior on the 1986 team, which was coached by Mike Urbach.
The 1984-85 Prairie du Chien High School team also played in the Class B Championship game. Denmark defeated Prairie du Chien by a score of 63-59 to win the 1985 Class B Championship. Don Steger, a 6-6 sophomore, scored 18 points and had 12 rebounds for Prairie in the championship game. Andy Banasik also scored 18 points. Dan DuCharme netted 12 and hauled down 9 rebounds. Steve Mergen had 7 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists.
To reach the championship game, Prairie defeated Osseo-Fairchild 76-61 in their semifinal match-up. Prairie was coached by Mike Urbach.
The 1978-79 Prairie du Chien team went all the way to the 1979 Class B Championship game. Elkhorn defeated Prairie 79-66. Carl Shedivy scored 16 points to pace Prairie. The Blackhawks reached the championship game by dismantling Freedom 89-71 in their semifinal. Shedivy scored 22 and Brent Hutchins added 15. Brad White had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Bruce Reilly netted 12 points. Prairie du Chien was coached by John Howard.
The 1976-77 Blackhawks narrowly defeated Slinger 74-72 in their semifinal game at the 1977 State Tournament. Brian Slaght nailed a pair of free throws with 15 seconds left in the game to help lift Prairie to victory. Prairie was behind 72-71 when Slaght walked to the line in a bonus situation. He added a free throw with one second left in the game to finish with a game-high 19 points. Prairie du Chien then faced Clintonville in the Class B Championship game, which the Truckers won 91-70. Jim McGrath was Prairie’s coach.
The 1975-76 Prairie du Chien squad also reached the State Tournament where they were defeated by Clintonville 73-71 in their Class B semifinal game at the Fieldhouse in 1976. Jan Waller pumped in 18 points to pace the Blackhawks. The team was coached by Jim McGrath.
The 1974-75 Blackhawks faced Sheboygan Falls in a 1975 Class B semifinal at the State Tournament. Sheboygan Falls won by a score of 71-59. Tom Stevens scored 14 for the Blackhawks and Scott Reilly had 10. Prairie was coached by Jim McGrath and featured a running game throughout the season that left most teams panting for oxygen. The team finished with a 21-2 record.
The first Prairie du Chien High School team to ever play in the Wisconsin State Boys’ Basketball Tournament was the 1941-42 team which was guided by co-coaches Maurice Minton and Clem Crowley.
There were no classes or divisions in 1942 and all schools large or small played each other if they made it to the State Tournament.
Prairie’s first ever game in the State Tournament was against Chetek in the first round. Prairie beat Chetek 34-18.
Then, in the second round in what was called the Championship Series, Neenah defeated Prairie du Chien 38-23. Bill Cecka topped Prairie’s scoring with 7 points. Mike Elliott and Jack Howe each scored 5.
Following the Championship Series, there were the two semifinal games and then the State Championship game which decided who would be the one and only State Champion of Wisconsin in 1942.
