By Josh Staloch
Correspondent
Ashwaubenon – The No. 2-seeded Pulaski girls’ basketball team stayed with No. 1 Beaver Dam through the first half of play March 7 but ultimately fell 55-41 in a WIAA Division 2 sectional final game at Ashwaubenon High School.
Trailing 23-19 at the break, Pulaski (18-8) saw its season end one win shy of a trip to state.
“Down four at the half, we knew we were in it,” said Pulaski head coach Doug McElrone. “If we cash
in on the four uncontested layups we missed late, all of a sudden, it’s a different game. These
kids have fought hard all year long. They deserved to be here, but we ran into the juggernaut of
Beaver Dam – that’s how it goes.”
After falling behind early, the Red Raiders tied the game 8-8 on a nice drive to the hoop from Sheridan Flauger (15 points), but the defense then proceeded to give up five straight
points to Beaver Dam’s May Wilke (21 points).
From there, the Golden Beavers began sending a second defender at every Pulaski player which
touched the ball.
Initially, the Red Raiders’ offense handled the pressure well.
Ashlyn Szymanski (14 points) scored in the paint, and then some good ball movement allowed Flauger to connect on a three-pointer for a 14-13 deficit, which forced Beaver Dam to
take a timeout.
With Beaver Dam up 21-13 with under four minutes to play in the first half, Jasmine Litt (5 points), Yagodinski (5 points) and Flauger each hit free throws to close the first half within striking distance.
The Golden Beavers opened the second half with an 11-2 scoring run.
A drive to the basket for two by Maggie Hernandez (5 points) midway through the half
got the Red Raiders to within nine, 34-25.
With under eight to play, Szymanski drilled a three-pointer to kick off an 11-2 Red Raiders’ run over the next three minutes, but Beaver Dam converted its free throws down the stretch.