Leader Staff
Leader Photo by Bre McGee Wausau East High School sophomore Leah Blaskowski pressures Shawano senior Megan Klitzke during the first half of the WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal game Tuesday in Shawano.
Leader Photo by Bre McGee Shawano Community High School sophomore Brandi Gueths looks for a shot against Wausau East junior Lauren Watters during the first half of the WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal game Tuesday in Shawano. Shawano posted a 65-17 victory.
The Shawano Community High School girls basketball used a press to create turnovers and an early lead Tuesday en route to 65-17 victory over Wausau East in a WIAA Division 2 regional game in Shawano.
The Hawks were up 19-3 early in the contest before pulling back on the press, then used an aggressive offense to keep the pressure on the visitors.
“We pushed the ball,” Shawano head coach Ryan Koenig said.
With the halftime scored at 41-8, the Hawks were able to get every player into the game.
Koenig wanted the focus on the defensive end in the second half, which the Hawks were able to do as they held East to just 9 points.
Senior guard Megan Klitzke posted 16 points and eight rebounds for the Hawks. Sara Hokenstad added 13 points.
Morgan Klitzke pitched in 11 points and six rebounds in the winning effort.
The Hawks have won back-to-back games for the first time since their five-game win streak from Dec. 11 through Dec. 22.
Sixth-seeded Shawano (13-10, 6-8 Bay Conference) will travel to No. 3 Mosinee (16-6, 11-1 Great Northern Conference) on Friday. Shawano beat Mosinee by 9 points at home on Dec. 21.
For Koenig and the Hawks, the focus will be on the defensive end as they try to extend their playoff run.
“We talked about earning respect for our program,” Koenig said. “We got the regional win at home, now we have to go on the road and get an upset.”