Pewaukee High School boys basketball team prepares for state game in Madison

 

PEWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A week after the Pewaukee High School girls basketball team brought home a state championship, the boys are going after theirs, and it's not their first time on a state stage.

"So, I think once the weekend's over, we're gonna make some history," said Nick Janowski, Pewaukee High School Senior.

That goal in mind, the Pewaukee Pirates headed to Carroll University Thursday evening using the longer court to prepare for their game against West Salem at the Kohl Center in Madison Friday.

"We have a bunch of guys who love basketball and are willing to put the work in," said Janowski.

They were taking three pointers with ease.

"And that just shows you that we're confident taking those shots because we work on them in practice," said Janowski.

With less than 24 hours until the big game, the hustle at the practice was intense. 

And all that work is paying off. The last three years, high school boys basketball in Wisconsin has had just one Division 2 state champion, the Pewaukee Pirates. Now, they're going for a fourth year in a row.

"You know the four-year thing is great, but it's more about this team and their journey," said David Burkemper, Pewaukee Pirates boys basketball head coach.

The journey for Nick Janowski started freshman year when he made the varsity team. This will be his fourth trip to state.

"I knew from the second that I stepped into high school that we had a team where the guys were willing to put in the work to win four state championships," said Janowski.

"The work that these kids have put in is not normal, you know they've sacrificed quite a bit, not just during the season, but out of the season," said Burkemper.

Incredible accomplishments by young athletes, both boys and girls.

The girls Pewaukee Basketball Team celebrated with their state win over Green Bay Notre Dame last week, and the community's standing behind all. There'll be a fun send off on Friday.

"The high school, the junior high, the middle school and the elementary school are all on the same campus and it's on a rectangle and the bus pulls through and all the kids line up on the outside and you get to waive to them," said Burkemper.

Game time Friday is 3:30p.m. The team is hoping to advance to Saturday's game.