Algoma’s hopes to get a shot at unbeaten Kewaunee for a third time evaporated at Saint Mary’s Catholic in Neenah Friday in a WIAA Div. 4 regional semifinal, and an unfortunate reinjury to point guard Braeden Leist played a role.

“Obviously taking our leader off the floor — whether he’s our leading scorer or not, Braeden’s our best offensive player, our best basketball player,” said Algoma Coach Eric Schneider. “When he comes off the floor, it definitely hurts us. I think everybody kind of felt that.”

Leist’s injury came less than five minutes before halftime, with the Wolves leading 35-31. He was able to return, but wasn’t anywhere close to full strength. It was the same part of the leg that cost him six games earlier this season.

The Wolves got off to a fast start. The school’s all-time leader scorer, Parker Lischka, hit a driving shot and a three-pointer then took a charge on the other end. Griffin Robinson knocked down a triple and Leist had three blocks in the first three minutes as Algoma led 8-0.

Lischka and Robinson each added another three, Lane Cochart a bucket inside and Leist two offensive boards and an “and one” put-back and free throw for a 19-13 lead.

Cayden Neuzil hit a three-pointer and forced a turnover on the other end, and the Wolves led 28-21 with 7:30 left in the half. Another Robinson triple followed, and Neuzil took a charge on the other end as the Wolves led 31-22 with 6:10 left before half.

The Wolves’ biggest lead was 11, at 33-22, but turnovers, missed free throws and Leist’s injury helped that disappear fast. The hosts went on a 19-7 run, taking their first lead of the game on a three-pointer just before the buzzer, 41-40.

A three-pointer by Lischka — his only bucket of the second half — tied the game at 43 early in the second half, but Algoma was outscored 32-17 the rest of the way.

Lischka and Robinson each scored 16 points, netting four three-pointers each; Leist had 14 points, Neuzil five, Charlie Prokash three, and Cochart, Aiden Zeitler and Pete Ritchie each two. Leist blocked four shots in the first half before the injury.

“We had a couple mental lapses where we allowed them to get those open threes, but overall I was proud of how the kids battled, especially in the first half,” Schneider said.

Anchored by 1st team All-Packerland Conference selections Leist and Lischka, Algoma finished with back-to-back 19-win seasons, going 19-7 this season. They’ll lose Leist, Lischka, Cochart, Aiden Zeitler, Aiden Moen and Brogan Ray to graduation.

“I can’t say enough about that group of seniors,” Schneider said. “They were freshman when I started (as head coach). The amount of time and effort they put into this program is crazy. Back-to-back 19-win seasons, I think that’s the most ever that an Algoma team has had. Super proud of these guys. Definitely going to miss them. We have some big shoes to fill.”

Schneider was asked what it would take to get to the next level.

“Be calm and composed,” he said. “Understand that every shot’s not going to go in. You have to weather the storms in the game of basketball, but just never give up. (St. Mary’s) went down 11 and didn’t quit. They just kept grinding. That’s what we need out of our younger guys, a lot of time spent in the gym knocking down shots if we want to take it to the next level.”

Plymouth 66, L-C 52

Luxemburg-Casco’s season came to an end in a Div. 2 regional semifinal last Friday, 66-52 at Plymouth. The Spartans finished 16-10, matching the total wins from the previous three years combined.

First-year coach Mitch Jandrin’s Spartans got 17 points and five assists from Jacob Coisman and 11 points, three assists, three rebounds and a steal from Tatem Klaubauf. Eli Derenne added eight points, three assists and two boards, while Mason Trimberger scored six points, Ethan Ropson five, Bryce Piesler three and Brayden Duescher two.

L-C will graduate four seniors: Trimberger, Burmeister, Brady Yunk and Myles Jandrain. They’ll be losing a combined 16.5 points per game from those players out of the team’s 58.1 points per game average. Piesler (11.1) and Coisman (10.6) both averaged in double figures.