It is going to be hard to top, as there is little room for improvement. The 2024-25 Onalaska Wildcats accomplished much in their run to state, which ended Tuesday in an 84-62 decision to Columbus at Houston’s Delmar Fieldhouse.
Among the many accomplishments of Onalaska basketball are the school’s first outright district title, first ever playoff wins, defeating the two-time defending state champions, and a regional championship. The season has transformed the program.
“I just told them to keep their heads up and that there is nothing to be ashamed of,” Onalaska coach Nicholas Tyerman said of the locker room conversation following the game. “God blessed us with an amazing year and an amazing group to be around. They accomplished things that people outside of us in that locker room never dreamed was possible or what they were capable of. I can't thank them enough for their dedication and their hard work, and they've left a lasting legacy for years to come.
“It's one of those things where we had a magical run, where you typically don't see teams that haven't won a (postseason) game be able to make a run to the final four,” Tyerman said. “When you get to the final four, it is just who is going to have a good night and who is not. I give (Columbus) credit, a bunch of their role player kids stepped up and hit big shots. We didn't shoot as well as we are capable of. Hats off to them. Tonight, they were better.”
After what may have been their best showing versus Hitchcock the game before, Onalaska (33-7) was not able to defend or shoot to the level that made them so successful. They struggled to 27 points in the first half, falling behind by 20.
The Cardinals were led by star Grayson Rigdon, who had averaged 48 points in the playoffs and had a high of 58. He would lead all scores Tuesday with 41 points. Backcourt mate Camdon Pitchford added 15, and two others had eight.
Onalaska’s Devon Vienneau had 15 points, Patrick Roth scored all of his 13 points in the third quarter, Brayden Topkins also had 13. They hit nine 3-pointers – a great night for most teams, but not what the confident Wildcat shooters expect.
“I think some of it was that the nerves got to us early, to where we were thinking too much and afraid to make a mistake,” the coach said. “You saw kind of the burst of what we normally have in the third quarter. I am proud of the fight and the effort.”
Seniors Kaden Deal, Dante Leleux and Brayden Topkins will take a lot of basketball experience with them to graduation.
“Kaden, Dante and Brayden gave me everything they could. There was great senior leadership and these kids have been with me for years. They stayed bought in to the system and did amazing things. To be as unselfish as they are is a true testament as to what made this team great.”
It is a long wait until the beginning of next season, but the ‘Cats should return a team that has been tested in big games, as well as plenty of production.
“It is hard to look at next year, because every year is so drastically different. You never really know what is going to happen,” Tyerman said. “It has always been the mindset I preach to them that you have to live in the moment and maximize what we have. I am going to take a little bit of a break from it and think about things as we go through here and cheer on these kids as they move on to baseball or track.”
