The Iola-Scandinavia boys’ basketball connected on seven three-pointers in their tournament game with Oshkosh Lourdes.
It wasn’t enough, however, as the top-seeded Knights handed the Thunderbirds a season-ending 62-51 loss Friday, March 2, in a Division 4 regional semifinal in Oshkosh.
The T-Birds had advanced to the game by knocking off Oconto 60-53 Tuesday, Feb. 28, in a subregional matchup.
Oshkosh Lourdes 62, I-S 51
OSHKOSH – Zach Gauerke’s three-pointers late in the second quarter – including one at the buzzer – tied the game at 31-31 at halftime, but the Knights turned up the defensive intensity in the second half.
Lourdes outscored I-S 20-14 in the first half, but the T-Birds came back with a 17-11 advantage in the second quarter.
The Knights opened the second half with a 9-0 run and outscored the T-Birds 15-6 in the third quarter to take a 46-37 lead into the fourth. I-S was able to cut the lead to 54-48 with about two minutes remaining, but Charlie Noone’s layup and Mikey Hartenback’s steal and basket helped seal the win for Lourdes.
Bradly Hardel led the T-Birds with 15 points, while Connor Lodewegen added 14 and Gauerke chipped in with eight.
Dylan Sommerfeld had 16 points to lead Lourdes, which went on to win a regional championship the following day with a victory over Algoma.
I-S 60, Oconto 53
IOLA – Hardel and Beyersdorf, the T-Birds’ two seniors, led the way over the Blue Devils with 22 and 16 points, respectively.
Beyersdorf added 10 rebounds and Hardel scored 10 of the T-Birds’ 15 points in the third quarter.
Trent Mehlberg led Oconto with 22 points.
I-S finished its season 5-19.