The Roncalli Jets boys basketball team captured their second state championship this afternoon, defeating the Milwaukee Academy of Science Novas by a score of 55-45 in the WIAA Division 4 championship game. It took place at the Kohl Center in Madison.
The Jets led 24-22 at halftime. They extended their lead to double-digits in the second half and led for more than 20 minutes of the game, winning the game by ten.
Assistant Coach Nathan Kaderback said they got it done by playing outstanding defense. “That’s what we’ve been telling the boys since day one. We’re gonna win a championship with our defense and that’s what’s gonna take us throughout the whole season and that’s what it took.”
Kaderback goes on to say that they won the title by playing as a team. “When one guy goes down, we all go down. We try to pick each other up when we have a difficult situation that goes on and we’re just a band of brothers.”
The Jets assistant coach adds that they have a great leader in Head Coach Joe Garceau. “Unbelievable coach. He does some great things for us here at Roncalli. I couldn’t be any prouder to have him as my boys basketball coach as athletic director. He’s been doing a phenomenal job, making sure that he’s getting us great scouting reports for our boys and our boys are executing. That’s about all we can ask from those guys.”
Senior Luke Pautz played all 36 minutes of the game and led the Jets with a double-double, 17 points and 12 rebounds. Three other boys scored in double figures. Senior Reece Stangel also played all 36 minutes, scoring 11 points. Senior Ryan Fischer and Junior Brayden Yanda each chipped in 10 points.
For the Milwaukee Academy of Science, Agape Keys, Jr. and Davion Hannah each scored 12 points.
Roncalli finishes their championship season with a record of 26-3 and Milwaukee Academy of Science finishes 23-6.
As the team heads back in to town Saturday night, they invite fans to welcome them home.
The champion-winning Jets will be featured on WOMT Sports Talk live at Brix in downtown Manitowoc this coming Monday. The show begins at 5:30 p.m.
