Lions move past Campbellsport

March 9, 2023

The Brillion News

Jeremy Lorenz scores above two Campbellsport defenders during a WIAA sectional semifinal game on Thursday, March 9, 2023 in Denmark, Wis. (David Nordby/BN)

DENMARK - The Brillion Lions are one win away from a return trip to the WIAA state tournament.

The Lions outpaced sixth-seeded Campbellsport 74-55 in the sectional semifinal on Thursday night in Denmark.

Brillion was hot throughout the night, and it started early. Lucas Mathes made two 3-point baskets off the bench to put the Lions up 14-4 with 10:28 left in the first half.

The Lions' defense forced Campbellsport into repeated turnovers. Many resulted in points in transition for Brillion. Parker Braun had two dunks in the game - one in each half - that brought Brillion fans to their feet.

By halftime, the Lions were up 20. The closest the Cougars were in the second half was 14 points, and by then there was only 4:38 remaining in the game.

Mitch McCarty finished with 18 points for Campbellsport. He scored 12 of the team's 22 first half points.

Jeremy Lorenz finished with 17 points for Brillion. Thirteen of them came in the first half. Lorenz had multiple blocks protecting the rim against McCarty.

The Lions will play top-seeded Xavier on Saturday in the sectional final at Oshkosh North. Xavier beat Little Chute 54-33 on Thursday night in their semifinal.

Brillion 42 32 - 74

Campbellsport 22 33 - 55

Brillion: Jeremy Lorenz 17, Parker Braun 14, Caeden Holly 13, Lucas Mathes 11, Grady Geiger 11, Bennett Olson 6, Owen Krepline 2. 3-point: Holly 3, Mathes 3, Olson 2, Braun.

Campbellsport: Mitch McCarty 18, Cole Kachne 15, Jordy Ebert 13, Ayden Fleischman 4, Kody Koltz 3, Brady Loehr 2.

Division 5

Also in action on Thursday night, Reedsville lost to Heritage Christian in Fond du Lac. The Panthers had earned a regional championship for the second year in a row last Saturday.