The 2026 WIAA state tournament finale made huge news in several ways on Saturday night at the Kohl Center.

Wisconsin Lutheran cemented its invitation to join the conversation as one of the state’s all-time best teams following its convincing 57-37 win over Madison Memorial in the Division 1 championship game for the Vikings’ third straight state championship.

Also, coach Steve Collins of Madison Memorial announced at the post-game media session that he is stepping away from that job after 27 years, 519 wins, and three state championships.

First, the game: The Vikings (30-0) completed a run to their third straight state title – the past two in Division 1 – and a three-year record of 88-2 by running away in the final 10 minutes against a gritty Memorial team.

“Each team we’ve had has been different and unique in its own way,” Vikings coach Ryan Walz said of the three championship teams. “I’m just grateful we’ve had the opportunity to have great kids who have worked really hard, and love basketball and each other.”

The Spartans (27-3) slowed the pace and threw a tight zone defense at Wisconsin Lutheran on Saturday, creating a first half that was short on points but full of intensity. Memorial shot 67 percent from the field and hit four of five 3-point tries in the first 18 minutes, with KJ Cross’ putback just before the buzzer giving the Spartans a 22-20 lead.

“We were struggling on how to score against their zone,” Walz said of the Spartans. “Their energy was great, they hit shots, they controlled the ball, they controlled the tempo. That’s what you can do if you can play zone effectively.”

That pace continued for nearly eight minutes in the second half until a single series of plays seemed to bust the dam for the Vikings. Memorial trailed 34-30 when it failed to convert an open layup, with the ball grabbed by Zavier Zens. He then went the length of the court for a layup that started a 21-2 run that sealed the state title.

“Maybe if we make that layup, get a stop, come down and hit a three, the game’s a little
different,” Collins said. “But it’s a game of runs and we’ve been on the other side of that just as much.”

Zens scored 14 of his team-leading 20 points in the second half as he went of 8-of-9 from the field, including four three-pointers. Kager Knueppel added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Vikings, who earned their fifth WIAA state championship since 2009.

“As a team we started to figure out the zone a little bit better,” said Zens, the Northern Iowa recruit who earned Wisconsin Mr. Basketball honors this past week. “I was able to find some spots to get open and hit some good shots.”

Anthony Miller led Memorial with 12 points, while Andrew Braun chipped in 10. After their
torrid first half, the Spartans shot only 21 percent (5-of-24) in the second, including just 2-of-10 on three-pointers.

At the postgame media gathering, Collins also announced that he was stepping aside as the team’s head coach. He saw it as the right time after one final, fun run to the state title game.

“I can’t imagine a better ending to a storybook career,” Collins said. “For (the players) to do that for me, it’s like a Hollywood script. … I can’t imagine a better way to end a career.”

Collins led the Spartans to state championships in 2005, 2009, and 2011 and took teams to the championship game five other times, including on Saturday. His 519 wins put him in the top 25 all-time among Wisconsin boys’ high school coaches. He as also coached standout players such as NBA star Wesley Matthews and numerous NCAA Division I standouts.

Walz also paid tribute to his colleague following the game, as Collins had told him the news just prior to Saturday’s championship.

“Man, he’s up there as one of the greatest coaches in state history,” Walz said. “He’s innovative on how he does things and how he looks at the game, the styles of play and how he adjusts. You think about all the different types of players that he’s had, and how he’s been successful and changed over the years. That’s the mark of a great coach.”