Before Madison
No. 2-seeded West Salem Panthers won in their fourth appearance in the last five years against No. 3-seeded Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes. They finished as Division III runner-up in 2022 and 2023. The Blue Dukes, meanwhile, marked this as their seventh appearance overall but first trip back to the tournament since 2011. They held the state title in 1996 and 1998.
The Panthers’ top leader is Senior Tyson Labus, a UW-Superior commit who has averaged 15.5 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. He is followed closely by Junior Drew McConkey and Senior Nathan Dillaber, who both average about 14 points per game.
On the other side, the Blue Dukes’ top scorer is Junior Colin Julien with 18.5 points per game. He has received offers from Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech. Right behind him is Senior Marcus Webb, who averages 13.9 points per game.
First Half – The Slow Game
The Blue Dukes won the opening tipoff and missed a layup from Colin Julien. The Panthers would sink a three-pointer from Labus in their first possession. Following that up with a two from McConkey. The Panthers had an early 5-0 lead in the first four minutes. Whitefish Bay would get its first set of points from a three by Miskel Mace.
After a Colin Julien fast break layup, they took the lead 11-10 at the 11-minute mark. Halfway through the period, both offenses have maintained their slow tempo. With the score remaining, a tight 13-12 Blue Dukes lead. The Panthers took the lead thanks to a layup from Labus. After another score from both teams, Julien placed in a second-chance and-1 to take the lead 18-17.
Near the end of the period, Elliot Corcoran would take the lead again for the Panthers with a layup. Both teams picked up the pace on offense, but still had issues finishing in the basket.
The Blue Devils started to apply defensive pressure on the Panthers, but it may have been unnecessary as Labus made both shots on the free throw line after a foul. Extending the West Salem lead to 27-22. By the end of the first half, the Panthers maintained a 30-24 lead.
Mace Miskel led the Blue Dukes with 11 points. For the Panthers, Labus was their top scorer with 13 points.
Second Half – True Blue Defense
From the start, both teams applied offensive and defensive pressure. With constant turnovers and rebounds, the Panthers kept a lead of 40-39.
By the midway point, the Blue Dukes took the lead after two free throws made and a fastbreak layup from Jack Broderson. Resulting in a Whitefish Bay lead of 43-40. The Blue Dukes further extend it with a three-pointer by Webb. Labus broke their 7-0 run with a layup. Resulting in a 46-42 deficit for West Salem after a timeout was called.
Despite the Blue Dukes being in the lead, they became very aggressive on defense. Then, Elliot Corcoran hit a wide-open three to narrow the gap to 1. However, Whitefish Bay responded with another three, keeping the score at 51-47. The Blue Devils started to have a minor collapse, allowing Corcoran to shoot another wide-open three and turning over the ball with their possession.
Despite the small errors, Whitefish Bay remained in the lead at 55-50. The teams started going back and forth with fouling and scrambling for the ball. Keeping the entire Kohl Center on edge. The Panthers failed to capitalize on a pickpocket, keeping the score at 57-52 by the two-minute mark. Then, it got heated on the court with banter shouted at both teams. It quickly moved on as they engaged in the tipoff.
With the Panthers down by six, they have struggled to score against the Blue Dukes’ defense. West Salem players became more frustrated as the game went on.
After a timeout, Labus shot a three-pointer to bring the game to a 58-55 deficit. Whitefish Bay began to play hot potato with the ball to chew the clock. Then, Nathan Dillaber forced a timeout after banking in a deep three to reduce the lead to 60-58.
After all of that, Webb made the game-clinching fastbreak layup after a missed three-point attempt by Nathan Dillaber. At the end of regulation, Whitefish Bay moves on with a 64-58 victory. Colin Julien finished off tonight with a 21-point and seven-rebound performance.
Coming Up
Whitefish Bay will now face off against Slinger on Saturday with hopes to bring a third title back to Whitefish Bay for the first time since 1998.