LAKE COUNTRY LUTHERAN CAPTURES FIRST EVER BOYS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Lake Country Lutheran Lightning were able to pull away in the second half and withstand a late run from West Salem to capture the 2022 division 3 boys basketball state basketball championship, 67-56.

West Salem held a two-point halftime lead, 31-29, before the Lightning started the second half on a 10-0 run to go up 39-31. The Lightning led by as much as 14 midway through the second half and were able to hold off West Salem who got the deficit down to as little as six with 4:51 left in the game.

The Lightning were led by Badger walk-on Luke Haertle who finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Ben Lubbers finished with 22 points and Noah Howard poured in 16 points five reobunds.

The West Salem Panthers were led in scoring by Peter Lattos who finished with 23 points and six rebounds.

This is Lake Country Lutheran’s first ever boys basketball state championship.