On Friday, March 3rd, the Belleville Wildcats boys basketball team, seeded #3 for the WIAA Division 4 tournament, hosted #6 seeded Poynette. Leading 39-28 at the half, the Wildcats scored 54 points in the second half, holding the Pumas to just 30 points, to take the win. The final score was Belleville 93, Poynette 58.

"When Poynette came to town in early January, we played very lethargic," stated Coach TJ Zweifel. "They were able to hang around because of our inefficiencies offensively. We had some self-inflicted errors and came away with our worst loss of the season. Friday night, the boys brought all the energy and confidence we needed. We forced 26 turnovers and flourished offensively in what was a game to garner a little payback."

Kaden DeSmet led Belleville with 23 points and had 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals while DeMarcus Conner and Andrew Ace both scored 15 points. Conner had 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block while Ace had 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal. Jack Erickson scored 11 points and had 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals.

The win on Friday night advanced the Wildcats to the Regional Final game on March 4th, at #2 seeded Deerfield. The Wildcats were leading, 33-26, at the half, but Deerfield stepped up offensively in the second half to outscore them and at the end of regulation the game was tied at 69.

"Belleville jumped up 12-4 and looked to be firing on all cylinders. At halftime we led 33-26 but were stagnant offensively late in the half," explained Coach Zweifel. "Deerfield came out with more energy and took the lead early in the second half. Trailing 60-53 with 6 minutes left, there very well could have been anxiety and nervousness setting in but we cranked up the pressure. Tied at 69-69, we had a last second 3-point attempt from Andrew Ace that wasn't meant to be."

The game headed into overtime. Carter Scholey hit a huge and-one that gave the Wildcats a 72-69 lead that would stand until there was 1:30 left in OT. Deerfield tied it back up. The Wildcats held the ball for the final shot and Kaden DeSmet sunk an 8-foot jumper to put the score at 74-72, winning Belleville the Regional title.

"The last possession showed the senior leadership we have. We held the ball for roughly 70 seconds, called timeout, and executed what we wanted. We ran our "Money" play and wanted Kaden to bring us home the Regional Championship," said Zweifel. "I told the boys that even if someone is open, run it through to Kaden and he's gonna win it. He came through and showed his senior leadership!"

Kaden DeSmet led the Wildcats with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, while Andrew Ace scored 19 points and had 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and DeMarcus Conner scored 13 points with 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 1 block.

Coach Zweifel reflects, "We've set three team goals since the beginning of summer. We won the league outright 10-0. And winning Regionals checks the box on the second goal. Let's see what the next week brings. Falling to New Glarus in the regional finals a year ago has served as a motivating factor. The boys had to swallow that and get back to work. We set a tough non-conference schedule, and that may have cost us the 2 seed (and possible home game in the Regional Final), but it made us a better team that wasn't going to back down even trailing by 7 in the late stages of the second half. I'm incredibly proud of the selflessness and perseverance of this group. It is always about us and the team. Having four kids all averaging between 11-12 points per game and others who know their roles to a T shows how this is the true definition of a team."

Belleville faces #4 Marshall at Monona Grove on March 9th in the Sectional Semifinal game. The winner advances to the Sectional Championship game on March 11th, at Baraboo, against the winner of the #1 Luther vs #3 Mineral Point game.