Led by senior Dillon Frechette’s 14 points, the top-seeded Shawano Community High School boys basketball team won a WIAA Division 2 regional title Saturday, beating No. 3 Waupaca 31-29 at home.
The Hawks (16-8, 12-4 Bay) opened the game with a 12-1 run in the first quarter, but slowed on offense from there. The Comets (15-9, 10-6 Eastern Valley) climbed back into it, cutting the Shawano lead to 16-8 by halftime and 22-19 after three.
Frechette, a senior guard, hit on three 3s in the second half to keep the Hawks ahead. Zack Sousek added six points.
Brando Vasquez had 15 to lead Waupaca.
Shawano will open the sectional tournament Thursday against Rhinelander (19-5, 12-0 Great Northern), which beat Wausau East (12-11, 4-8 Wisconsin Valley) 54-50 Saturday.
Also advancing to the sectional were La Crosse Central, a 63-62 winner over Holmen, and Rice Lake, which defeated Menomonie 59-53 Saturday. Rice Lake (18-2) ranked third in the most recent Associated Press poll, and was Central (19-3) was No. 7.