By Rich Palzewic
Contributing Writer
ASHWAUBENON – The Notre Dame Academy girls’ basketball team is one step closer to making WIAA state basketball history.
Behind a dominating performance, the No. 2-seeded Tritons (28-1) are heading back to the Division 2 title game for a fourth consecutive season after an 82-44 victory over No. 3 Wauwatosa East (23-6) at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon on March 8.
The win by Notre Dame sets up a rematch with No. 1-state-ranked Pewaukee (28-1), a 79-41 winner over West Salem in the other Division 2 semifinal.
The state title game will begin at 6:35 p.m. on March 9.
It will be the two teams’ third consecutive season meeting in the Division 2 title game.
If the Tritons manage to win their fourth straight state title, it would be the first time in state girls’ basketball history the feat has been accomplished.
“I told the girls after the game, we’re in a unique situation,” Notre Dame Coach Sara Rohde said. “Not a lot of teams get to this situation – obviously, that’s the goal.”
The Pirates gave the Tritons their only loss this season, a 60-52 setback on Nov. 18 to begin the year.
Illinois State commit Trista Fayta said her team is ready for the challenge.
“We are better conditioned, the (Resch Center) floor is a lot bigger and there will be more fans,” she said.
University of Wisconsin-Madison commit Gracie Grzesk said her team learned a few things after the season-opening loss to Pewaukee.
“(Pewaukee) came in a with game plan and startled us,” she said. “This time around, that’s not going to happen. We need to play our game and focus on us and not what they are doing.”
As for the lopsided victory over the Red Raiders, Notre Dame pounded the ball inside to Kaia Waldrop early and often, as the sophomore scored the Triton’s first six points of the game.
Waldrop would add two more buckets later in the half before heading to the bench with her third foul.
Notre Dame began the game with a 17-2 run and surged to a 35-19 lead heading into halftime.
Besides Waldrop, the Tritons got balanced scoring, as indicated by Fayta (7), Sydney Whitehouse (7), Petyon Musial (6), Grzesk (3) and Paige DeMoulin (2) all finding the scoring column.
Grzesk added six assists during the first half and ended the game with a game-high 10 helpers.
“Kaia was sealing well, and I got her the ball,” Grzesk said. “We practiced it this week, and I think getting her the ball is a big emphasis in our offense. We focus on sharing the ball.”
Grzesk, Whitehouse and Fayta all connected on three-pointers in the first 18 minutes of play.
Notre Dame’s pressure defense held East to under 32% shooting from the field before halftime.
In the second half, Fayta, Grzesk and Musial all came alive.
Fayta ended with a team-high 18 points, Musial added 15, Grzesk and Waldrop each added 14 and Whitehouse chipped in with 12.
Grzesk connected on four three-pointers, including three after halftime.
“We take pride in knowing we don’t have any liabilities on the offensive end,” Rohde said. “In big games, everyone needs to step up. Peyton made some big shots and got to the rim – Kaia as well. Trista and Gracie are those consistent pieces, and Sydney knocked down some open shots and got to the rim as well.”
The Tritons ended the contest by shooting a robust 58.6% (34-58) from the floor and outrebounded the Red Raiders, 35-19.
East Coach Mary Merg said she was impressed by Notre Dame’s physicality.
“They are a solid, physical team,” she said. “They are well-coached and it’s clear to see why they’ve won three consecutive state titles. Honestly, with their physical nature, it almost seemed like it was women versus girls tonight.”