MADISON, Wis. (NBC 26) – In a game that featured 13 ties, 11 lead changes and the WIAA state tournament, Arrowhead defeated Neenah 99-95 to advance to Saturday’s Division 1 state championship game.
- It was the longest game and highest scoring game in the 108-year history of the WIAA state tournament.
- Neenah led by 12 points at halftime and led for over 32 minutes of the game.
- The Rockets had a chance to win the game after each of the first three overtime periods, but they fell low.
- Senior guard Brady Corso paced Neenah with 30 points and seven assists; Luke Jung added 22 points.
- Big Jace Gilbert led the Warhawks with 34 points and 14 rebounds; UWGB Bennett Basicch had 24 before fouling out in the final overtime.
- Neenah finishes season 21-8; The Rockets have won 17 of their last 19 games after starting 4-6.
“On December 1, Kimberly handed our butts over in the first home game in our new facility,” Rockets coach Lee Rabas said after the game. “If you had told me when we left that night that we would be in Madison, I would have said you were crazy. The growth we have experienced this year has been enormous.”
“We put it on the line tonight,” Rabas added. “Personally, I’m disappointed that I didn’t do better at the end (of the first three overtimes), giving us better shots. I have to live with it. But these guys, I’m just proud of the fight they showed.”
“It’s a matter of the heart,” said Corso, who will play for Division II St. next season. Leo. “I know all our guys put everything they had on the line.
“We did it for each other,” Corso added. “We didn’t disappoint, but I know everyone in the locker room at the end of that game gave it their all.”
Corso finishes her high school career with three straight trips to the state tournament. As a sophomore, he was a starter on Neenah’s 2022 state champion team.
On Saturday evening, Arrowhead will face Marquette in the Division 1 championship. An informational meeting is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. at the Kohl Center.
