RONCALLI USES HUGE DEFENSIVE EFFORT TO CLAIM D4 STATE TITLE OVER MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

The Roncalli Jets used magnificent second half defense to claim their second ever boys basketball state championship knocking off the Milwaukee Academy of Science Novas on Saturday afternoon, 55-45.

Roncalli led by two at halftime, 24-22, and didn’t allow a made field goal in the second half until there was 4:27 left in the game.

The Jets were led by Luke Pautz who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Reece Stangel enede with 11 points and four rebounds, Ryan Fischer poured in 10 points and Brayden Yanda pitched in 10 points for the Jets.

The Novas was led by Davion Hannah who finished with 12 point and eight rebounds. Tayshawn Bridges went for 11 point and 11 rebounds while Agape Keys Jr. finished with 12 points for the Novas.

The Jets shot 20-46 from the field and 7-11 from the free throw line to ice the game down the stretch.

The Novas, making their first ever trip to state, shot just 12-50 from the field and 4-26 in the second half. MAS did shoot 14-17 from the free throw line. The Novas, a very young team, are expected to make many trips to state in the future.

Roncalli claimed their first state title since 2018 and second in school history.