Boys basketball: Florence survives Three Lakes

Florence High School's 1989 Class C state championship boys basketball team was honored Friday prior to the Bobcats' varsity game with Three Lakes. Attending the ceremony were manager Todd Rochon (from left), Paul Seggelink, Joe Kriegl, Paul Kreski, junior varsity coach Dave LaPoint, Steve Wilcox, John Sleeter, head coach Bob Wolfe and Luke Seggelink. A moment of silence was held for the late Steve Stamper, assistant coach "Big Bob" Constantini and principal Jack Kriegl. (Burt Angeli/The Daily News)

FLORENCE, Wis. — The Florence Bobcats, playing with the school’s 1989 Class C state championship basketball team in attendance, downed Three Lakes 45-39 in Northern Lakes Conference play Friday.

The Bobcats (7-3, 6-1), who overcame poor shooting, managed a 21-16 halftime lead.

“We had a cold-shooting night and I don’t know what the issue was,” coach Bryan Bomberg said of his Bobcats shooting 23 percent from the floor and 8 of 18 from the free-throw line.

The Bobcats made 1 of 24 three-point shots.

“We had to rely on our defensive board play to win the game,” Bomberg said.

Evan Beaster led Florence with 15 points and 18 of the team’s 41 rebounds. Kaden Schuls added 10 points and four steals.

Florence will host Phelps on Tuesday to determine the sole NLC leader. Both teams have one loss.

The Bobcats’ 1989 state championship team was honored prior to the varsity game. In attendance from that unbeaten team were head coach Bob Wolfe, junior varsity coach Dave LaPoint, Paul Seggelink, Joe Kriegl, Paul Kreski, Steve Wilcox, John Sleeter, Luke Seggelink and manager Todd Rochon.

“The ceremony was well put together and it was great to have everybody back,” Bomberg said.

Three Lakes defeated Florence 39-31 in the junior varsity game.

Three Lakes 16 23 — 39

Florence 21 24 — 45

THREE LAKES (39): Holzbauer 5, Cogar 7, Scimeca 2, Erikson 11, Spears 8, Schroeder 2, Walkowski 2, Kortenhof 2. FT: 11-17. F: 13. 3PT: Cogar 1, Erikson 3.

FLORENCE (45): Walstrom 2, Milan 4, Schuls 10, Hixon 8, Beaster 15, Wheeler 5, Stoltz 1. FT: 8-18. F: 18. Rebounds: 41 (Beaster 18). 3PT: Schuls 1.

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