Thomson shines as Lena girls advance to Sectional championship game

GREEN BAY — Madilyn Thomson’s torrid playoff scoring continued to be a boon for the No.1-seeded Lena girls basketball team on Thursday, as the Wildcats overcame a six-point halftime deficit to snip No. 3 Wabeno/Laona 48-43 in the semifinals of the WIAA Division 5 Sectionals at Green Bay Southwest High School.

Thomson entered Thursday’s contest averaging 19.6 points through Lena’s first three playoff games, and the Wildcats needed every ounce of the sophomore forward’s scoring prowess against the Rebels.

Thomson poured in 20 points for the Wildcats, her second playoff game with 20 points or more, helping Lena author a second-half comeback bid.

Wabeno-Laona (19-9) led 24-18 at halftime but were outscored 30-19 in the second half, as Lena punched its ticket to Saturday’s Sectional championship game in Antigo.

The Wildcats (24-2) will square off against No. 2 Pittsville (24-4), who vanquished No. 4 Athens 45-37 in its Sectional semifinal matchup.

The winner of Saturday’s game will punch their ticket to the semifinals of the Division 5 State championship tournament, which takes place March 8 at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

Eva Brooks chipped in 14 points for the Wildcats. Kali Fischer added six, Karli Fischer pitched in four, Whitney Potter tallied three and Alabama Lambert picked up one.

Wabeno-Laona did not report any stats.

Thursday’s contest was just the third time all season that Lena trailed entering the second half.

Up next

Lena: The Wildcats face Pittsville for the Division 5 Sectional title Saturday in Antigo, with tipoff set for 7 p.m.

No. 1 Lena 48-No. 3 Wabeno-Laona 43

Lena 18 30 — 48

Wabeno-Laona 24 19 — 43

Lena: Thomson 20, Brooks 14, Kal. Fischer 6, Kar. Fischer 4, Potter 3, Lambert 1; FTs: 10-17.