State semifinal: West Salem 71, Brillion 61 (with photos)

The Brillion News

March 17, 2022

MADISON - A memorable season for the Brillion boys' basketball team came to a close on Thursday afternoon in Madison at the Kohl Center.

West Salem, the top-seed, knocked off the Lions 71-61 in the WIAA Division 3 state semifinal game.

Brillion junior Jeremy Lorenz finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks. The nine blocks is a new Division 3 single-game record for the state tournament.

Carson Koepnick made a 3-point shot with seconds left in the first half to push West Salem's halftime lead to 30-21. The Lions were unable to catch up in the second half.

Mason Behnke scored 13 points for the Lions.

Brillion was in its fourth state tournament appearance, joining the 2010, 2012 and 2014 teams. Head coach Chad Shimek was an assistant on those teams.

"It's pretty surreal. I would think that any high school coach that tells you it's not, they're lying to you. To be on the floor and to be able to, I think, experience it with everybody that's a part of your basketball program, from your players to your coaches to your parents to your community, and then to have the opportunity to represent your community and do things the right way. It's such an awesome opportunity," Shimek said.

Complete coverage and photos of Brillion's state trip will be in the March 24, 2022 print edition of The Brillion News.