The Kiel Raiders overcame a slow start offensively and a seven-point second-half deficit to defeat The Xavier (Appleton) Hawks 60 to 37 in a WIAA Division Three Sectional Semifinal in Brillion Wednesday night.
Head Coach Marcus Rumpff tells Seehafer Sports that they stuck to their top “calling card” to help them in their comeback victory.
“Defense has been our calling card all year, and when we got into halftime, we said, let’s continue to play defense the way we do. Our shots will start falling, and they did. We shot 1 of 12 from three in the first half and then got on a roll in the second half.”
The Raiders went on several runs, including a 22 to 0 run to begin the second half to pull away and remain undefeated.
The Brillion gym was packed, with fans literally by the hundreds sitting on each baseline taking in the action. Rumpff adds—
“The Kiel community is amazing. Whenever stuff like this happens, and local teams go on runs, they support it. The student section was loud, and it was hot in that gym last night. It was standing room only, and not another person could have fit in there last night. It was amazing and a great atmosphere to be a part of.”
Kiel had three players in double figures, led by senior Grant Manz’s 18 points and 17 rebounds. Aiden Murphy and Pierce Arenz added 17 and 16 points, respectively.
Xavier was led in scoring by Hayden Quimby’s 12 points. The Hawks finished their season 24 and 3.
Kiel, now 27 and 0, will face either Freedom or Southern Door Saturday in a Division Three Sectional Final for a trip to the state tournament at The Kohl Center in Madison.
It would be their first since 2010.
