Neillsville relied heavily on its defense throughout the year, and the Warriors came through in the clutch to seal a 43-40 victory over Albany/Monticello in the WIAA Division 4 girls basketball state title game.
It was a seven-point lead for Neillsville that shrunk to just one, and Albany/Monticello had a chance to go ahead with under 15 seconds remaining when Madi Davel missed a bonus free throw. However, the Neillsville defense clamped down, forcing an Albany/Monticello turnover without getting a shot off.
Davel would step to the line with less than a second remaining and make both free throws this time, sealing the victory.
While Neillsville held a lead for 26 of the 36 minutes, they couldn’t quite put away Albany/Monticello, as both teams shot under 35% from the field. The game featured four lead changes and five ties, though Neillsville would not trail in the final eight minutes of action.
It was a 20-13 lead for Neillsville at halftime, but Albany/Monticello went on a 10-0 run to open the period and take a lead. The teams traded baskets and the lead, until Neillsville went ahead for good on a three-pointer from Braelyn Anding with 8:40 remaining.
Eden Marg had a big game inside for Neillsville, making seven-of-nine attempts from the field for 16 points and 10 rebounds. Braelyn Anding added 10 points, while Tessa Warren chipped in with six points and 14 rebounds.
Albany/Monticello was led by freshman Annie Olson, who came off the bench to score a team-high nine points.
Neillsville finishes 29-1 on the year, capturing its second state title, to join an undefeated D4 championship in 2012. Albany/Monticello ends the year at 27-3.
Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].
