By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
LA CROSSE – The Notre Dame Academy girls’ basketball team advanced to the WIAA Division 2 state finals with a 64-32 victory over Onalaska Saturday morning in the state semifinals.
The Tritons, the No. 1-ranked team in the state, will play for the title at 6:35 p.m. against the winner of New Berlin Eisenhower/Reedsburg, which play later today.
“We’re excited to be playing for a state title,” said Notre Dame head coach Sara Rohde.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WIAA changed the format of the state tournament this season.
Instead of all games being played at the Resch Center in Green Bay, the tournament was split into two different locations: La Crosse and Oshkosh.
It was also decided both the state semifinal and title game would be played on the same day.
Notre Dame, which took a 31-20 lead into halftime, led by many as 16 in the first half.
Gracie Grzesk, who led the Tritons with 16 points, had nine points at the break, while Georgia Gregoire added eight before halftime.
Sammy Opichka added 12 points for Notre Dame.
Sarah Hardwick chipped in with eight points, four rebounds and four steals for the Tritons, who had 17 total steals as a team.
“I got on Sarah a bit at halftime,” Rohde said. “I didn’t think she was being as aggressive as she typically is, but she picked things up in the second half. She finished well – I’m not surprised. She’s consistent.”
The Tritons (27-1) shot 54 percent from the floor (27-of-50) but were 0-12 from the 3-point line.