Schools
UW-Waukesha Celebrating State Championship Basketball Wins
Men and women teams took home state championships.
The is proud to be home to the men’s and women’s 2012 Wisconsin Junior College Athletic Association state basketball champions.
Despite finishing the game shorthanded, the women came away with a 113-108 double-overtime victory over host UW-Marathon County on Sunday in Wausau.
“It’s the best game I have ever been involved in as a coach or spectator,” said UW-Waukesha coach Jack Hervert, who led the Cougars to their eighth state title (1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2012).
The team, which entered the postseason with just six players on its roster, played the final minute of the first overtime and the entirety of the second overtime with only four players after two Cougars fouled out.
“Heart” describes his team best, Hervert said.
The Cougars were led by Sarah Olewinski with 28 points, Renee Valdez with 25, Marlissia Brown with 22 and Joelle Bauer with 19. Olewinski and Bauer were named to the all-tournament team.
The team set a number of school records in the state title game, including points scored (113), points allowed (108), minutes played (Olewinski, 50), team three-pointers (11), team rebounds (63), free throws attempted (43) and shots attempted (113).
The Cougars advanced to the championship game by defeating UW-Marshfield 95-88 on Saturday. In that game, Bauer had 34 points and Kassidi Macak and Sarah Olewinski each added 16 points.
After cheering on the women’s team and piling on Hervert at the buzzer, UW-Waukesha’s men’s team prevailed 74-68 in a hard-fought, overtime victory over UW-Richland Center. It was the Cougars’ fifth state title in school history.
The team celebrated by cutting down the nets. “This was the goal from the first day of practice in October,” said UW-Waukesha coach Neal Nelson. “I’m especially happy for our sophomores. They have sacrificed greatly for two years to try to achieve this milestone. It’s a tremendous accomplishment.”
All-tournament selections Chris Prushiek and Carl Robinson each scored 18 points to lead the way. Josh Gierhahn added 16 points and 13 rebounds.
“It was a thrilling day for the Cougars with two overtime champions,” Nelson said.
In the semifinals, the Cougars knocked off UW-Marathon County 82-71 behind Prushiek’s 28 points. Prushiek’s 4-for-6 shooting from the 3-point area and 7-for-7 free throw shooting were key, Nelson said. Matt Vraney had 17 points and 7 assists in the win.
UW-Waukesha will salute the winning men’s and women’s teams and coaches during a special presentation from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 8 in the Hub on campus.
