This story is sponsored by: Chili Implement
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MADISON – Marshfield Columbus Catholic put on a shooting clinic for all to see and its historic performance at the 2024 WIAA State Boys Basketball Tournament over the weekend led to the program’s first WIAA championship.
Columbus Catholic set two new tournament records as it sizzled from long range and at the free throw line to outlast Madison Abundant Life Christian 81-75 to capture the Division 5 championship on Saturday at the Kohl Center.
The Dons made 14 of 31 3-point attempts and went 21-for-22 at the free throw line, leading to a pair of new state tournament records and the school’s first Gold Ball in four tries.
Combined with the 13 3-pointers made and their 17-for-19 free throw shooting in a semifinal win over Solon Springs on Friday, the Dons finished with an overall state tournament record of 27 combined 3-pointers and a new Division 5 record for free throw shooting, making 92.6 percent of their shots.
“Part of it is being unselfish and sharing the basketball, and there’s a lot of work that went in that by our entire team with our balance, our unselfishness and willing to take a back seat when your teammate gets going,” Columbus head coach Joe Konieczny said.
Columbus Catholic found itself down 13-4 early after a pair of three-point plays by Jimmitrius Davison and a 3-pointer by Nolan Wallace, but the Challengers couldn’t keep the Dons down for long.
Emmitt Konieczny made three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt, and Cy Becker drilled a long ball to bring the Dons to within three.
Abundant Life briefly broke up the string with a 3-pointer by Blayne Wall, before Emmitt Konieczny hit a long ball, Blake Jakobi made three free throws after another ALC blunder on a 3-point attempt, and Charlie Moore sank a triple to put Columbus Cahtolic up 21-16.
Both teams were sizzling from long range as the next six made baskets, four by the Challengers, were 3-pointers.
The lead changed hands seven times in the final five minutes of the half, with Abundant Life closing with two baskets to take a 43-42 lead into the break.
Following a quick basket by Davison, it was Emmitt Konieczny time for the Dons. The senior made 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions, and converted three free throws after ACL fouled a 3-point shooter for the fourth time in the game. His 12 points in a stretch of just 1:24 put the Dons ahead 54-49.
“In the locker room (at halftime) we were really talking about our defense,” Emmitt Konieczny said. “They were making a lot of 3s so we kind of changed up our defensive game plan. We weren’t really thinking about offense. We have a team that if you move and space, anyone can get hot at any time. It just happened to be me that was open.”
Columbus Catholic did not trail again as it kept up its impressive offensive efficiency. Moore hit two more 3-pointers and Emmitt Konieczny added his fifth to extend the Dons’ lead to 68-58 with 4:06 to go.
ACL cut it back to five but that was as close as it would get, as the Dons made eight free throws in the final minute.
Emmitt Konieczny finished with 31 points, including a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line, Moore added 18, Jakobi 12 and Mac Konieczny came off the bench to contribute nine points and six assists.
For Joe Konieczny, the win was extra special as his two sons were able to share the experience as key parts to the victory.
“It’s not something I ever dreamed would happen,” Joe Konieczny said. “We are a state tournament family. We’re here every year just because we love high school basketball. For the year that we finally break through and with what our family has been through with the car accident, I told the boys after the game, ‘I can’t explain it.’ We were down seven in the sectional semis with seven minutes left, it was a tie game (late) in the sectional final, we got down yesterday, we got down today 13-4…I really believe there’s something bigger going on.”
For the group of nine Columbus Catholic seniors, many of whom have played together since third grade, the championship is fitting end to their basketball experience.
“I think it’s pretty special since we’ve been together for so long,” Moore said. “We worked so hard for this. We’re pretty much brothers at this point. To bring Coach his first gold ball, it’s really, really special for us.”
Jonah Koon had 20 points and Jacob Koon added 17 for Abundant Life Christian, which finishes its season with its first state tournament appearance and a 28-3 record.
Dons 81, Challengers 75
Columbus Catholic 42 39 – 81
Abundant Life Christian 43 32 – 75
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC (81): Lucas Kreklau 1-2 2-2 4, Cy Becker 3-10 0-0 7, Emmitt Konieczny 8-14 10-10 31, Charlie Moore 4-10 6-7 18, Blake Jakobi 3-5 3-3 12, Mac Konieczny 4-7 0-0 9. FG: 23-48. FT: 21-22. 3-pointers: 14-31 (E. Konieczny 5-10, Moore 4-9, Jakobi 3-4, M. Konieczny 1-2, Becker 1-5, Kreklau 0-1). Rebounds: 23 (Becker 8). Assists: 19 (M. Konieczny 6). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: none. Record: 29-2.
ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN (75): Blayne Wall 3-5 0-0 7, Jimmitrius Davison 5-8 4-4 14, Jacob Koon 7-13 1-1 17, Jonah Koon 6-12 4-6 20, Nolan Wallace 5-8 0-0 14, Conner Whitaker 1-5 0-0 3, Brayton Breezer 0-0 0-0 0. FG: 27-51. FT: 9-11. 3-pointers: 12-22 (Jo. Koon 4-6, Wallace 4-7, Ja. Koon 2-4, Wall 1-2, Whitaker 1-3). Rebounds: 27 (Davison 11). Assists: 18 (Ja. Koon 7). Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Wallace. Record: 28-3.