Prairie Boys Advance
Prairie du Chien’s Wesley Schwager looks to score down low against visiting River Valley in a Division 3 Regional semifinal Friday night. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
Jacob Lenzendorf pulls up along the right baseline in first half action.
Connor George scoops up a shot versus River Valley Friday night.
Prairie boys
beat River Valley
Prairie du Chien met River Valley for the third time this season in Division 3 Regional boys basketball action Friday night and expected a very physical game after defeating River Valley twice during the regular season.
The Hawks opened up the game with a 7-0 run with Chas Sagedahl contributing 4 points and Nathan Banasik nailing a 3-pointer before River Valley had to burn a time-out.
The Hawks played with great energy and focus as nine Hawk players contributed in the scoring column before the first half ended with Connor George leading everyone with 9 points in the half.
The largest lead in the first half for the Hawks was 17 points but River Valley didn’t quit and trimmed the Hawk lead to 9 points as the Hawks had some costly turnovers.
In the second half, the Hawks took care of the basketball and committed only 3 turnovers but River Valley cut the lead to 4 points.
The Hawks kept their poise and stretched the lead back to 14 points with 6 minutes to go in the game.
Eleven different players scored for the Hawks which has been a common theme throughout the basketball season. Connor George led the Hawks with 19 points, 4 steals and 5 assists.. Nate Banasik had 13 points and 6 rebounds and Wesley Schwager scored 12 points.
Hawks final score was 72-55 to advance to the Division 3 Regional Championship game against Wisconsin Dells.
Prairie tops
Wisconsin Dells
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks captured the 2016 Division 3 Regional Championship with a 55-40 victory over Wisconsin Dells in Prairie du Chien Saturday night.
In the first half, many lead changes took place until Prairie du Chien went on a 7-0 run to take a 21-14 lead. There were 4 minutes to go in the first half and Wisconsin Dells went on a 9-0 run to take a 23-21 lead at intermission.
In the second half, Chas Sagedahl got the Prairie offense started by taking a feed by Connor George and hitting a 3 pointer. Sagedahl ended up scoring all his 15 points in the second half.
Connor George hit a huge 3 pointer on a pull-up with 6 minutes to go in the second half to extend the lead to 5 points. Casey Hogenson, Nate Banasik, Chas Sagedahl and Connor George went 10 for 12 down the stretch at the free throw line in the second half to extend the lead to double digits.
The Hawks had a great balanced attack as eight players reached the scoring column. Chas Sagedahl and Casey Hogenson led the Hawks with 15 and 10 points respectively.
Next up is the Sectional Semifinal versus Lodi at Richland Center on Thursday, March 10. Start time is 7 p.m.
The Blackhawks are hoping to see their fans at the sectional game!
