Lady Knights Advance to Sectional Final for Second Time in Program History

The New Glarus girls varsity basketball team played a WIAA Sectional Semi-Final in Markesan against Pardeeville on Thursday, March 3rd. Down 18-23 at the half, the Lady Knights battled back in the second half to win the game, holding Pardeeville to just 10 points in the second half. The final score was New Glarus 52, Pardeeville 33.
“It’s hard to put into words! The excitement the energy and the way this team has come together the last eight games! It’s all about the teamwork up to this point,” said Coach Kevin Parman. “Coming into the Pardeeville game we knew they would play a lot of zone and this would open up shots for us! Having one of the top sophomore shooters in the state sure helps! With their size inside we needed knock down some shots, hitting 8 in total - 6 from Lindsey and 2 from Elle. What really set the tone to the W was our team defense. Holding Pardeeville to just 10 points in the 2nd half, 4 total baskets! Our pressure really gave them trouble! Brenkman off the bench really adds a spark to what we want to do defensively.”
Leading the way for the Lady Knights was Lindsey Schadewalt with 28 points, Elle Lancaster with 9 points, and Grace Nommensen with 7 points.
“I couldn’t be more happy with this team and making it to the sectional final,” said Coach Parman.
On March 5th, New Glarus traveled to DeForest to face the undefeated Mineral Point team in the WIAA Sectional Final game after coming off back-to-back upset wins. According to a post on the New Glarus Knights Athletics Facebook page, this was New Glarus’s second sectional final appearance in program history, with the first being in 2004. The 2021-2022 team has earned the most wins in a single season in program history, at 21, won a share of the Capitol South Conference title for the first time since 2008, won a Regional Championship for the third time in program history and advancing to the Sectional Final for the second time in program history. Mineral Point came into the game as #1 and undefeated. At the halftime break, Mineral Point was leading 36-15, and won the game 63-43.
“Very excited to be where we finished. Not the outcome we wanted, but absolutely nothing to be ashamed of,” explained Coach Parman. “I think we were picked third in Conference, forcing a 3-way tie in the Capitol South with a big win over Cambridge at home on Senior Night! Then, waiting for the computer seeding. A little disappointed in the 5 seed! But we embraced the underdog role and took it all the way to the sectional final.”
Alex Atwell was the high scorer for New Glarus with 13 points, while Elle Lancaster scored 10 points and Ellie Eichelkraut had 8 points.
“This group of kids and seniors have set the bar very high for the program! They all should be very proud of all of their accomplishments,” said Coach Parman. “I have been coaching long enough to know New Glarus girls basketball is on the rise and it’s all because of the work this team put in and because of the amazing support from our school, student section, and parents. And especially everyone who has put on a Knights jersey! None of this would be possible with you! #KnightFAMILY.”