One Down; One to Go

Hit the road at 7:30 a.m. to get to Green Bay for girls state basketball. (They still play boys' state in Madison, but girls switched to GB several years ago.)

Got to the Resch Center in time to see some of the other Division 5 game between defending state champion Barneveld and Clayton, which is up in my neck of the woods. While tied at halftime, Barneveld ended up winning without any problems. 

Our game against Fall River started at 10:45 a.m. Even though it was a school day we had plenty of "excused" fans plus our band in attendance. Not to mention all of us grown-ups playing hooky.

Tried to take pictures of Carter and the whole Pep Band before the game, but you know he has the "hiding behind the big baritone" down to a science.

At least the TV guy caught him in action. I forgot to DVR the game so had to quickly watch it when I got home and take snapshots of the television screen!

In this one, you can tell he sees himself up on the megascreen!

They also flashed photos of fans taking selfies at the arena. My friend Marlene and I submitted one but I think it was too late in the game or we are just too old to be feartured. You notice we are smiling. I'll tell you why.

So Fall River had a similar record to our Lady Royals. We expected a close, tough game and that is what we got. In fact, Assumption only led by 2 points at halftime. That's nerve-wracking. Somehow, in the second half, we managed to pull away.

Our top scorer was senior Gena Grundhoffer, pictured here in this photo by my friend Jo Ann. Gena scored 35 points, shattering the Division 5 individual record for a single game in the state tournament. She also set a new Division 5 record for free throws made in a state game with 17. That pretty much clinched the deal!

We ended up winning, 63-50, and advance to the state championship game tomorrow for the 4th year in a row, against Barneveld for the 4th year in a row!

The girls celebrate their victory. Trust me, we were all pretty excited about it and relieved and proud. We know this has been a unique era, getting to state 4 straight years with this fine group of young ladies. They've worked so hard. I hope the basketball gods are smiling on them tomorrow.

We're all heading back over there in the morning, so hopefully that will help, too! Let's do this, Royals! It's our turn to come home with the gold ball!