February 17, 2022 – Hartford, WI – In the final game before the WIAA Playoffs, both Hartford and Grafton played with intensity and ferocity to gain momentum heading into the competitive portion of the season.
Both teams committed to a fast start and traded three-pointers consistently while their defenses locked their respective paints down.
It also just seemed to be an off night for shooters driving to the rim in general, as both sides struggled to even connect with the backboard in several stretches throughout the game.
Grafton led 32-31 going into halftime, but the teams were so evenly matched the second half felt truly wide open.
Unfortunately for Hartford, the Orioles gave up a lot of turnovers, in both halves, but it was at its worst and most damaging in the second half, giving Grafton multiple extra possessions.
This allowed the Black Hawks to get control of the scoreboard and slow the game’s tempo.
The Orioles were not doomed however, as in the second half they managed to get more fouls and thus free-throw shots at Grafton’s expense.
Ultimately, the Orioles struggled from the free-throw line all night, going 5 out of 11 at the stripe, while Grafton was near perfect in the game going 12 out of 14 for free-throws.
The Black Hawks held off the Orioles last second attempt at a comeback to win 56-49.
Senior Ava Wilmanns led the Black Hawks with 13 points. Hartford juniors Kacy Kratz and Alayna Pusch along with freshman Makena Christian all had strong performances scoring double digits in the loss (13, 10, and 12 points respectively).
No. 9 Hartford will play its opening WIAA Division 1 Regional Playoff game against No. 8 Bay Port on Friday February 25 at 7:00 p.m.
No. 4 Grafton will host No. 5 West Bend East in the second section of Division 2 bracket on Friday, February 25 at 7 p.m.
Other bracket news: Germantown and Kettle Moraine Lutheran earning No. 1 seeds (D1 and D3 respectively), Slinger earning a No. 3 seed (D2) all receiving byes in their first playoff matches on Friday February 25 at 7:00 p.m. against opponents to be determined.
West Bend West (D2) earned a No. 8 seed and will host No. 9 Milwaukee Madison on Tuesday February 22 at 7:00 p.m. Living Word Lutheran (D4) is a No. 10 seed and will travel to take on No. 7 Kenosha Christian Life on Tuesday February 22 at 7:00 p.m.