Falcons’ potent offense faces tough defense in sectional semis

How well the Sheboygan Falls Falcons’ explosive offense performs against Grafton’s stingy defense will be a key in the Division 2 girls sectional basketball semifinal game Thursday, March 18 at West Bend.

The Falcons averaged an excellent 63 points per game as they rolled to three lopsided wins en route to capturing their first regional title in 31 years. Grafton defeated top-seeded Whitefish Bay, 32-25, in a regional final.

Tip-off for the contest is set for 7 p.m. Falls is 18-7 this season and the Black Hawks are 15-10. The winner advances to the finals against the Pewaukee-New Berlin Eisenhower semifinal victor at Waukesha South Saturday at 1 p.m.

“They’re very aggressive and like to create turnovers. They have an intense defense,” said Falcon head coach Leroy Hamilton.

“I think we’re evenly matched. We’re both very aggressive. We like to get up and down the court. They try to get you off of your game.

“We just need to do what we’ve been doing best and play Sheboygan Falls basketball,” Hamilton said.

Black Hawk head coach Bob Maronde doesn’t want his team to get into a shoot-out with Falls.

“We’re going to have to defend. Hopefully, we’ll keep the score down, and we’ll have to score,” Maronde said.

“We don’t have the firepower that they have. If they get off and start scoring [a lot of] points, it will be awfully tough for us.”

The Black Hawks don’t have a go-to player on offense but have balanced scoring. They have no players who average in double figures for points. The team’s top scorer is sophomore forward Hannah Eichler at 9.0 per contest.

The Falcons’ top scorer is standout senior forward Lauren Carman with a 14.1 average. Carman also leads Falls in assists with 41, blocked shots, 25 and shares the rebounding lead with senior center Emilie Leffin at 9.8 per game.

Junior point guard Brooke Buehler is Falls’ steals leader with 56.

Hamilton pointed out the keys for his team to win the game.

“We need to take care of the basketball, limit their possessions and not turn the ball over. We need to play defense and stop them,” he said.

Hamilton said his team has improved its defense well since a disappointing fourth quarter in a loss to Kewaskum at the end of the regular season.

“That game showed that we are vulnerable. We didn’t move our feet well and didn’t box out well [on the boards],” Hamilton recalled.

“We’ve improved as a team [on defense] since that game and it has helped open up our offense.”

Maronde said it was a pleasant surprise that his squad won a regional title because it’s very young.

“We have 16 people who practice and 10 of them are freshmen or sophomores. We’re extremely young,” he pointed out.

“Our upper classmen were role players last season and have had to step up this season. With a young team, we’ve had our ups and downs.

“The team has really come together. They play hard,” Maronde said. Maronde noted the main key to his team’s success this season. “The younger kids have bought into our defensive system which always keeps you in the game,” he said.

Maronde is impressed with Falls.

“I’ve seen them three times and I’m very impressed. They’re fairly deep, very-well coached, always play hard and can put points on the board,” said the Grafton coach.

“Leroy does a great job.” Hamilton thinks his team is very ready for the game. “The girls are focused. It will be a tough game for both teams. It’s exciting,” he said. “The parents and the town are very supportive. It’s phenomenal.”