Kewaskum girls' basketball players, coach reflect on historic season, look ahead to Div. 3 state title game
KEWASKUM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- While the Kewaskum girls' basketball team's season has been historic, the squad is just appreciating the moment.
"It's a dream come true for a lot of us," senior Madilyn Dogs told CBS 58. "We have eight seniors on the team so for us to be able to do this in our last year is really special."
The team made its first appearance in the WIAA State Tournament Thursday, March 9 for the first time since 1982.
I’m at Kewaskum High School where for the first time in more than 4 decades, the girls’ basketball team is headed to the WIAA State Tournament in Green Bay. pic.twitter.com/Of3qtfiCKL
— Victor Jacobo (@victorjacobo_) March 9, 2023
But the season didn't start out as a dream. The team was without a coach to start the year. An injury to Dogs and some losses early on only added more challenges.
However, the team overcame adversity and persevered, stringing together a 22-5 record, their first conference championship and a 2-seed in the playoffs.
"We're really thankful for all the support we've had from our community and our school," Dogs said. "But we wouldn't be here without all of that and everyone's help, it means a lot."
Kewaskum takes on West Salem this afternoon. A win would put them in Saturday’s title game. pic.twitter.com/VytYcIytN1
— Victor Jacobo (@victorjacobo_) March 9, 2023
"It's been a terrific experience," head coach Mark Maley said.
The veteran coach joined Kewaskum to lead the squad, though it took time for the team understand his coaching language.
"I try to explain that we were playing with house money and it was completely lost on 17 and 18 year-old girls," Maley said. "Some of my best lines are probably from eighties and nineties and they just look at me like I have a third eye ball in my head."
But even though some things got lost in translation, Maley, too, is grateful for the opportunity.
"It is a unicorn season for me," Maley said. "You know, these kinds of jobs don't come often open and I think we're just having a lot of fun."
Before heading to Green Bay for their game against West Salem, Kewaskum High School gave the team a hometown sendoff complete with a band playing and students lining the streets outside of the school.
The team is off to Green Bay complete with a send off from their classmates! pic.twitter.com/zXl9Obwopn
— Victor Jacobo (@victorjacobo_) March 9, 2023
The Kewaskum girls' basketball team won their semifinal against West Salem, 46-34.
They'll play Milwaukee Academy of Science in the Division 3 State Title game on Saturday, March 11. You can watch on CBS 58's sister station WMLW.