Tigers edge Brillion in flashback classic Wrightstown boys make it to state final four

Posted at 8 p.m. on February 27, 2021

TheBrillionNews.com

WRIGHTSTOWN – There were more ups and down than a ride on the Bay Beach roller coaster on Saturday as Wrightstown edged Brillion 55-54 in a WIAA Division 3 sectional championship boys’ basketball game reminiscent of the legendary days of the old Olympian Conference.

The win sends the Tigers to Menominee Nation Arena in Oshkosh for the March 5 D3 state championship. It is the first trip to state in WHS boys’ basketball history.

Complete game stories (as in more than one) will be featured in the March 4 print edition of The Brillion News. This story is just the appetizer. Great photos coming, too.

Brillion senior guard Hunter Krepline scored a game-high 19 points and Tigers’ senior guard-forward Sam Haese scored 16 to lead Wrightstown.

The Lions owned a 15-5 lead four minutes into the game, but the Tigers answered with a 22-0 run to own a 27-15 lead with six minutes left in the first half.

Wrightstown had a 35-27 halftime lead.

Mason Behnke hit a three with 9:39 left in the game to get Brillion the lead, but Jake Van Zeeland canned two free throws to take it back for good with just under five minutes left.

Wrightstown led 55-52 but BHS sophomore tower Jeremy Lorenz scored inside with under a minute left for the final margin.

The Tigers missed three free throws in the waning seconds of the game, but Brillion wasn’t able to exploit them for a win.

Brillion 27 27 - 54

Wrightstown 35 20 - 55

Brillion: Hunter Krepline 19, Mason Behnke 5, Caeden Holly 8, Carter Stebane 8, Jeremy Lorenz 14. Totals 16+2 16-17 54. Fouls: 14. Three-pointers: Krepline 1, Behnke 1.

Wrightstown: Justin Lamers 2, Jack Van Zeeland 10, Riley Leick 2, Matthew Hansen 5, Jake Van Zeeland 4, Sam Haese 16, Ethan Meulemans 3, Joe Hella 13. Totals 16+5 8-15 55. Fouls: 15. Three-pointers: Jack Van Zeeland 2, Haese 2, Meulemans 1.