In knocking off Thorp in last Saturday's Division 3 sectional final, Eau Claire Regis punched their ticket to this week's WIAA state tournament in Madison. For the Ramblers, it will be their third trip to state in the last four years.
Coach Bill Uelmen's team worked out Tuesday afternoon at UW-Stout's Johnson Fieldhouse, preparing to face a Brillion team that will be making their first-ever appearance at the state tournament.
On the subject of firsts, Regis will be in search of their first win at the Kohl Center, Ramblers seniors' Adam Ganske and Jack Eaton, along with junior Connor Miller all saw action at state two years ago, Ganske says he and this teammates are determined to get past Friday and play for a state championship on Saturday.
Adam Gankse/Regis Senior Forward: "When I went down as a sophomore, the rest of us were kind of nervous getting ready for the game, I think we're a lot more confident going into the game, been there. Don't feel like we have any pressure on ourselves, and I think we'll be ready to go."
Connor Miller/Regis Junior Guard: "This year, we've all been done there before, we're all going to be composed, we're going to go down there to win a game, not like as a freshman, we were happy to be there, didn't expect to win, this time it's going to be different, now we expect to go into that game on Friday thinking we can win and hopefully we do."
The Ramblers state semifinal opponent on Friday morning, Brillion doesn't have one player that is a dominant go-to-guy, but according to Regis head coach Bill Uelmen, the Lions have bought into a team mentality, several players that take turns being the guy.
Bill Uelmen/Regis Boys Basketball Coach: "Scoring-wise they have six or seven guys scoring between 7 and 9 points, by our scouting reports, they get one guy each night that gets hot, scores 20, but then five the next night. They're a true team, but I think the strength of their team is their defense, and the physical pressure they put on teams, I don't think we'll be intimidated, but it depends which team shows up, if we come out ready to play, I think we'll be okay."