It will be a game that’s talked about for more than the 107 years the Boys State High School Basketball Tournament has already been played for in the Division 1 Semifinal of the 108th tourney, history was made and just might be unmatched as the Arrowhead Warhawks outlasted the Neenah Rockets 99-95 in the first ever, four overtime game in W.I.A.A. history. The 194 points is the most combined total in any game ever played, breaking the 1967 record set by Milwaukee Lincoln and LaCrosse Central in Lincoln’s 109-71 romp.
This contest was exhausting with each of the overtimes writing it’s own story. How they got to the first was just as fun. Neenah, back at state for the record extending 30th time in school history, was seeded 4th after losing a lot early in the year, 7 times in all. They were taking on an Arrowhead club that was denied a title last year by undefeated De Pere and they dispatched the Redbirds in last week’s sectional final to earn the number one seed.
But the Rockets took off early, shooting a blistering 66.7% in the first half building a 37-25 lead and the Kohl Center was buzzing about a big upset possibility. The Warhawks responded right out of the locker room to start the second half and blitzed their way to a 44-43 lead. Neenah still led 60-58 with under a minute to play when Arrowhead came up with a wild, five point play. Forward Jace Gilbert, dominant inside all night with 34 points, got fouled leaning in to tie the game at 60 with just over 50 seconds to play. His and one free throw missed but teammate Bennett Basich tipped it in while getting fouled, converted the free throw that put Arrowhead up 63-60. Sam Leoni’s two free throws with 12.9 seconds left kept the Warhawks lead at three, 67-64. Neenah’s Brady Corso drove hard to the hoop but missed. A tip out rebound went into the hands of Justin Janssen who let fly a deep three from the right wing that splashed through as the horn sounded sending these teams onto an epic journey.
Overtime 1
This was a trade of haymakers. Corso buried a step back three early in the extra period. Both teams patiently ran offense to generate good looks and a couple were missed inside on both ends. With 1:33 left in OT, Arrowhead’s A.J. Ohrmundt drained a game tying 3. Neenah held the clock to :15, called timeout and Janssen’s contested three at the horn bounced off the rim. Still tied at 70.
Overtime 2
The slashers arrived. Luke Jung leaned in the lane to strike first, getting fouled but couldn’t complete the three point play. Basich answered with a hard drive of his own. Corso hit another three for a 75-72 lead. A pair of Basich free throws and a fast break dunk put Arrowhead up 78-77. Charlie Wunderlich hit a pull up baseline jumper and the Rockets were up. Gilbert was fouled with 42.4 left, missing the first and rolling in the second to tie the game at 79. Again, Neenah held the ball for a last look but Janseen’s three from the corner was partially blocked by Gilbert. 79-79.
Overtime 3
Wunderlich opened the scoring with a hard drive, answered by a Gilbert put back of his own miss. Charlie then chased down his own missed three point shot for a layup. Trey Resch got to the hoop quickly in transition and Neenah tried one more time to hold for the last shot for half the overtime period. Wunderlich got a decent look late but was off the mark, the ball got tipped out of bounds with 2.8 remaining. Neenah inbounded but Corso’s deep three from the top missed. 83-83.
Overtime 4
The teams saved the best for last with 28 total points scored. Basich started with a layin and Gilbert put back his own miss to give Arrowhead an 87-83 lead. Corso pump faked Basich into the air and he came down face first on Corso’s shoulder for his fifth personal foul. He also suffered a cut in or around his mouth and eventually was taken to a hospital for an examination after the game. Corso hit both free throws and set the stage for what would be a free throw shooting contest almost the rest of the way. Leoni wound up going 12 for 14 from the line on the night and hit several clutch throws giving Arrowhead a 5 point lead. Enter Janssen for another dramatic three point hoop for Neenah making it 93-91 but forced to foul in the closing seconds, Arrowhead made their final four throws and sealed the four point win. 99-95.
Epic night.
Afterwards, Neenah Head Coach Lee Rabas met the media:
Corso finished with 30 points and 7 assists, Luke Jung had 22, Janssen 18 and Wunderlich 17. The Rockets season finished 21-8.
Gilbert’s 34 with 14 rebounds led Arrowhead, Bassich finished with 24, Trey Resch 15 and Leoni with 12 as the Warhawks are now 27-2. They plan to retire early to rest up for another shot at a gold ball.
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