By Scott Williams
March 7, 2020
BOWLER – Newman Catholic has made the Resch Center in Green Bay a second home this time of year in recent seasons.
And once again the Cardinals will be packing up their sneakers and headed east in search of a Division 5 girls state basketball championship.
Newman earned its third straight trip to the state tournament with a 57-48 victory over previously unbeaten Oneida Nation in the sectional final on Saturday afternoon.
The Cardinals (22-4) will be seeking a fourth state title since joining the WIAA in 2000, when they return to the Resch Center court on Friday morning.
They will be joined in the tournament field by Clear Lake, Bangor and defending state champion Black Hawk. Semifinal matchups will be determined after the four teams are seeded Sunday.
Winners of 12 of its last 13 games, Newman Catholic jumped on top early and built a 28-22 cushion at the break.
Oneida Nation was unable to mount a serious comeback thanks to the efforts of Julia Seidel and Lauren Shields who came up with key baskets to keep the Cardinals in control.
Seidel topped all scorers with 23 points and Shields helped out with 14 points for the statebound Cardinals.
Sadie Schuman tallied 18 points to lead the Thunderhawks (25-1) who were looking for the program’s first state tournament appearance. M’Kenzie Ackley added 16 points.
