Posted: March 14, 2010 |(0) Comments

After losing their second game of the season, the Nicolet girls basketball team steamrolled through the rest of their schedule, winning by an average of more than 20 points per game.

So when they earned the No. 1 seed in their sectional that gave them a bye, it was fair to wonder if getting a little time off would knock the Knights a little out of their rhythm.

Saturday's WIAA Division 1 regional final 56-22 win over South Milwaukee (9-14) answered that question with an emphatic "no."

"We told our kids, 'You've worked really hard for this opportunity, for your seed, for this game, and just go out and play your game,'" Knights coach Corey Wolf said. "We don't want to change who we are or how we've played this year. Obviously, we still want to get better, and I thought kids came out with great focus, a lot of energy, and played really, really hard in this game."

Early lead never relinquished

Nicolet (20-1) came out and applied suffocating pressure on defense right from the opening tip that led to numerous steals and a quick 13-2 lead just before the end of the first quarter.

That nonstop attack continued and led to a 32-8 advantage at halftime.

"(Nicolet's defense) is something that we don't see in practice, and you always say you want to see the hardest competition on the practice floor," Rockets coach Tracy Stolte said. "We try hard, but, boy, we can't bring the speed and the talent and the confidence they bring."

The Knights stretched their lead to 52-17 at the end of the third quarter when Wolf was able to give her starters some rest and finished the game with five freshmen on the court.

Milestone for coach

The win was the 100th career victory for Wolf, who was presented with a plaque from current and former players after the team was presented with their regional championship trophy.

Ashley Green (19), Alex Cole (14), and Brittney Fair (10) all scored in double figures for the Knights.

The loss marks the end for a South Milwaukee team that coach Stolte said she is very proud to have been a part of.

"As a coach, all you want is your team to be playing their best ball at the end and for individuals to improve throughout the year," Stolte said. "When you define success like that, I think we had a very successful year."

Nicolet now advances to play Oak Creek Friday night at Whitefish Bay in a sectional semifinal.