By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – In the second game this season between Wisconsin Valley Conference rivals Marshfield and Wausau West on Feb. 5 at the Marshfield Fieldhouse, the Tigers started and finished poorly, but what happened in between was good enough to carry them to a two-point victory.
West led 15-6 early in the second quarter after Marshfield missed 13 consecutive shots. However, the Tigers found their stride and used a 19-0 run to take control of the game – at least until the final minute.
The Warriors scored eight straight points in a 46-second span to cut Marshfield’s lead to two, but the Tigers were able to hold on for a 52-50 victory, a win that all but wrapped up their third straight WVC title.
On Friday, the two teams meet again in a WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinal at West, and Marshfield coach Heidi Michaelis hopes that game sends a message to her team.
“Something we can take out of that game is that if we stay the course and we are struggling on offense, if you play strong defense, good things will happen,” said Michaelis, who stands two wins away from leading Marshfield to its fifth state tournament appearance in the last seven seasons. “It’s a matter of sticking together and playing with composure, not losing their poise.”
Marshfield (21-2) will have to contend with West senior guard Jessica Waldvogel, who averages 17.7 points a game and who scored 21 points in the narrow loss at Marshfield.
Waldvogel, the Wisconsin Valley Conference player of the year, provides a stiff test for the Tigers, who pride themselves on playing stubborn defense.
“It’s about everyone always knowing where she’s at,” Michaelis said. “When she gets deep in the middle, she makes good passes, shoots the ball well and she’s a good free-throw shooter. It’s a matter of us being really solid on the defensive end.”
West (20-4) also will have its hands full defensively trying to contend with Marshfield sophomore Taylor Varsho, who, after her 34-point performance in Saturday’s regional final win over Superior, stands just 19 points shy of breaking Jamie Braun’s single-season scoring record of 465 points set in 2005-06.
“The message is simply, do what got us to where we are, not to do anything different,” Michaelis said. “Play hard and be smart on defense, be solid. It doesn’t mean we need a Superman effort, but it all starts with communicating with your teammates”
In the first game at 6 p.m. Friday, Eau Claire North (17-7) battles Big Rivers Conference rival River Falls (12-11).
Marshfield beat North 49-32 at home on Dec. 22, a few days after knocking off West for the first time.
River Falls upset No. 1 seed Menomonie 53-43, handing the Indians just their second loss of the season.
WIAA Division 1 sectional at Wausau West
Friday’s semifinals
River Falls (12-11) vs. Eau Claire North (17-7), 6 p.m.
Marshfield (21-2) vs. Wausau West (20-4), 8 p.m.
Saturday’s championship
7 p.m.
Paul Lecker can be reached by e-mail at paul@marshfieldareasports.com.
