Lady Broncos one win away from first state appearance
By Tim Wester
Sports Correspondent
Talk about an insult to injury.
After managing just nine points on 3 for 25 shooting in the first half, the shell-shocked Milton offense was serenated with chants of double-digits by the Union Grove student section.
Ouch!
The Broncos took delight in Milton’s misery opening up a 31-9 halftime lead, on their way to a 54-43 victory Thursday evening in a WIAA Division 2 sectional semifinal game at Fort Atkinson.
Sophomore guard Brooklyn Bull racked up a team-high 16 points, while Janelle Shiffler and Frankie Pettit each had 14 to propel the Broncos into the sectional finals for just the second time in school history.
The Broncos will take on Stoughton in the Sectional Final Saturday at Middleton High School.
The Vikings punched their ticket to the finals by thumping Waunakee 67-43.
“I thought the first half we would beat any team in the state with how methodical we were with the ball,” Union Grove coach Rob Domagalski said. “And that goes to the preparation we had as a team because we did everything we wanted to do in that first half.”
The Broncos indeed performed at a high level in the first half against Milton. The Red Hawks had no answer for the Broncos’ zone defense, making just three jump shots in the first half.
Shiffler and Pettit took care of the rest on the offensive end, outscoring Milton 16-9 in the first half by themselves, en route to a 31-9 halftime lead.
“That was the best half we played this season,” Jenna Rainey said. “We played really good as a team together in that first half.”
The feel-good first half, however, didn’t continue for the Broncos, as the Red Hawks opened the second half on a 19-10 run to cut it 41-28 with seven minutes to play.
“Their trap frustrated us a little bit and we played faster,” Bull said. “We didn’t see them trap on tape, so I think they went to the trap because they had to do something different.”
The Red Hawks’ press helped them cut the deficit to eight, 49-41 with 30 seconds to play.
Bailee Collins paced Milton with 17 points, while Kailey Harbort added 9.
But time ran out on the Red Hawks’ comeback attempt as Bull and Pettit drained four free throws in the final moments to seal the victory.
“In the second half we got out-rebounded 24-8,” Rob Domagalski said. “I was joking with the ref that maybe we were better off only being up by two points instead of 21 because you lose that edge.”
Domagalski and the Broncos will need to keep their edge going Saturday with a state tournament berth on the line.
“I’m proud of this team,” Union Grove coach Rob Domagalski said. “This is only the second time in school history that we made the sectional final, and we know that it’s going to be a tough next game, but that’s why you play the games. You have to perform at a high level, which is what it takes to play at state.”
“I think it’s awesome that we got to sectionals for just the second time in school history,” Bull added. “Hopefully we can go to state and beat our next opponent.”
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