Regis Ramblers run over Toppers

EAU CLAIRE — There are several reasons why the Eau Claire Regis Ramblers are unbeaten and the top-rated boys basketball team in Division 4.

The Ramblers are talented, tall, quick and can score from anywhere on the court – either in front of or behind the three-point arc.

And Glenwood City got to experience all of them when it took on Regis last Friday evening, March 6 in the regional semifinal contest held on the Ramblers’ home court.

To say that Regis got off to a fast start would be an understatement.

The Ramblers  rarely missed a shot in the opening eight minutes beginning with a three-point shot by 6’ 2” junior Logan Rohrscheib and a dunk by highly recruited 6’ 6” senior Billy Wampler as they raced to a 26-3 advantage over the Toppers and went on to take a 71-52 win.

But the Toppers never threw in the proverbial towel even when  they trailed by 23 points in the first period.

Although Glenwood City managed just one Jake Hierlmeier three through the first seven plus minutes of the game, the Hilltoppers came to life in the final 53 second of the period to score 15 points.

Kip Wallace, Marcus Kadinger, and Todd Petersen all nailed three-point shots. Petersen also added a pair of inside hoops and Kadinger sank a 15-foot jumper to make it a 31-18 contest after the first period.

Glenwood City, however, would never get closer than that 13-point margin.

Regis outscored Glenwood City 11 to 6 in the second quarter as Wampler and Martin Block led the Ramblers with a pair of baskets. The Toppers points came via a Wallace three, a basket from Hierlmeier and a Petersen free throw.

The Ramblers led 42-24 at the break.

Wampler ignited another Regis offensive flurry to start the second half as the senior scored 12 points including a three and a five-of-six performance at the free throw line. Zac Brandrup and Rohrscheib each had a two-point and three-point basket as well to the Ramblers lead to 30 with a 64-34 advantage after third quarters of play.

Regis made it 70-38 on back-to -back threes by Wampler before the hosts began to bring its bench into the game.

Glenwood City finished on a 14-1 run as Wallace hit a pair of threes, Kadinger added a three and a hoop and Bill Norenberg, Riley Schutz and Todd Petersen each tacked on baskets to make the final 71-52.

Billy Wampler led all scorers with 29 points including four threes. Patrick Rohrscheib added 23 in the win.

Todd Petersen led Glenwood City for a second straight game with 13 points. Marcus Kadinger and Kip Wallace each finished with 12 points and Jake Heirlmeier tallied 11 points.

Regis went on to defeat Dunn-St. Croix co-champion Plum City/Elmwood the very next evening 76-43 to claim the regional championship and sectional berth.

This was the final game for Glenwood City seniors Bill Norenberg, Jake Heirlmeier, Kip Wallace, Tyler Woodruff, Marcus Kadinger, Todd Petersen and Brandon Barstad.

Glenwood City finished the season 14-10 and 7-7 in the Dunn-St. Croix.