The Kewaunee Storm girls basketball team is one win away from the Resch Center, but they will have to fight through the St. Mary Catholic Zephyrs Saturday afternoon in Brillion to get there.

 

The Storm got hot at the right time Thursday night as it got past Manitowoc Lutheran 75-69 in Denmark to advance to Saturday's sectional final. Gabby Stangel, Summer Walechka and Braelyn Chevalier all had at least five points in the first half, but the Storm found itself chasing the Lancers 31-25 at the break. The Storm came out quickly in the second half to take a couple of one-point leads, only to see the Lancers retake the lead and eventually stretch it to as much as 10 points in the opening minutes. The momentum swung right along with the Storm's ability to knock down three-pointers, with Stangel, Riha and Jade Kroll all hitting multiple shots from deep. All five starters reached double figures for the Storm, with Stangel registering 17 points, Walechka with 15, Chevalier and Riha with 14 apiece, and Kroll with 13.  Head coach Lynn Geier was complimentary of her team's performance and grit on Thursday, but knows another tough test lies ahead against St. Mary Catholic.

 

 

The Zephyrs have qualifed for sectionals every year since the end of the pandemic, including a state runner-up finish last year when they were edged by Cuba City in the championship game. This year, the Zephyrs are riding a four-game winning streak including Thursday's 52-21 win over Stratford. Autumn Crowe led the way with 22 points and eight rebounds while Lucy Norville contributed seven points, three rebounds, and two assists. They were 24-3 on the season and a perfect 12-0 in the Big East-North, which included two win over Manitowoc Lutheran. 

 

Tim Kowols will have the call from Brillion on 96.7 WBDK beginning at 12:45 p.m. with the pregame show followed by the opening tip at 1 p.m. The winner will advance to next week's WIAA State Tournament at the Resch Center in Green Bay.