NEW BERLIN – After falling to Unatego in the 2023 championship, Greene played their best to bring home the title this time around. Greene defeated Unatego 43-32 to win their first MAC title since 2008. Unatego had won the last two years in a row, but Greene steadied themselves in the second half to secure the victory.
Both teams showed thier worth to start the game with forcing turnovers on both ends of the court. Based on the regular season match-up with Greene pulling out the advantage, everyone knew this contest would only intensify. Greene was strong in offensive rebounding right off the bat, but sent the Spartans to the foul line a few times at the start. The Trojans started to find their groove in the second quarter, but both teams were slowed down before the break. Greene had trouble moving inside the paint, but got lucky at the buzzer as Cali Knapp shot a three-pointer to put the Trojans up 17-16 at halftime.
With that boost, Greene continued its momentum into the second half, going on a 11-0 run and holding Unatego from scoring a basket until the final three seconds of the quarter. Unatego did make free throws just prior from its top scoring leader, Lizzy Craft, who excelled with 22 points, but the rest of the team struggled against a pressed defense. Greene led 29-20 after the third quarter and with eight minutes left, anything was possible. The Trojans stood their ground, even with Craft consistent at the free throw line and making one last push for a comeback. Greene's Abby Yahner played steadily throughout the entire contest with help from Cali Knapp, who went seven-for-eight at the foul line.
Yahner finished with a team-high 13 points as Knapp followed with 10 points. Molly Cornell finished with eight points as Josie Dutcher performed well in the second half with six points, including a three-pointer. Yahner, Knapp, Dutcher, Molly Cornell, and Claire Flanagan all played great defense, where they picked up multiple steals. Mia Yahner and Lyla Biefeldt laid down a few blocks to give Greene the ball back.
Congratulations, Greene. Greene has a first round bye as the second seed in the Section IV, Class 'C' tournament and will face either Marathon or Walton/Downsville on Friday at 6 p.m.
Scores by quarter:
UN 12 4 4 12–32
GR 10 7 12 14–43
UN: Lizzy Craft 22, Harly Birdsall 4, Avery James 4, Bailey McCoy 2.
GR: Abby Yahner 13, Cali Knapp 10, Molly Cornell 8, Josie Dutcher 6, Lyla Biefeldt 3, Claire Flanagan 2, Mia Yahner 1.
Three-pointers: UN 1 (H Birdsall); GR 3 (Dutcher, Knapp, Biefeldt)