Florence team members gather with their WIAA Division 5 regional trophy, from left, Sienna Schmoll, Leah Baker, Miley Vandenheuvel, Ashley Peterson, CeCe Mills, Kelsi Chrisman, Naomi Millan and Callie Reed. (Courtesy photo)

Florence will face Lena at 7 p.m Thursday in Peshtigo in a WIAA Division 5 girls basketball sectional semifinal.

The LadyCats (21-4) captured a regional championship with a 44-37 victory at home Saturday against Wabeno-Laona (17-10).

Florence reached the regional final with a 54-43 win Friday, also at home, over Niagara (12-14).

They were led in the semifinal by a 25-point performance from CeCe Mills, including 12 scored in the paint.

Kelsi Chrisman finished with seven points and a team-high 15 rebounds. She also added four steals and a block. Ashley Peterson contributed eight points, six steals, and eight rebounds. Naomi Millan chipped in six points, hitting 4-of-5 from the free-throw line, and added six rebounds and three assists.

Florence’s defensive intensity proved decisive against Niagara. The LadyCats combined for 15 steals and 16 deflections.

Miley Vandenheuvel added 12 rebounds, seven deflections, two steals, and a block in a strong interior performance, while committing zero turnovers.

Against Wabeno-Laona on Saturday, the LadyCats trailed 20-17 at halftime, but defense again turned the tide. The Rebels were held to just one point through the first eight minutes of the second half as Florence moved to a 30-21 advantage.

The Rebels were within seven at 41-34 with two minutes remaining, but two free throws by Mills pushed the lead back to nine.

Mills poured in 16 points to lead all Florence scorers.

Chrisman filled the stat sheet with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including a key three-pointer, and grabbed eight rebounds. Her impact was felt most on the defensive end as she racked up an eye-popping 10 steals, 11 deflections and added a block — repeatedly disrupting passing lanes and turning defense into transition opportunities.

Millan added nine points, seven rebounds and three steals and knocked down 3 of 4 free throws. Her five offensive rebounds created second-chance opportunities.

Vandenheuvel made her presence felt defensively with six blocks and eight total rebounds. She added four points while anchoring Florence’s interior defense.

Peterson convered 5 of 7 free throws. She added four rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Saturday’s win ended a two-decade regional championship drought for the LadyCats.

Lena (23-3) won its regional with a 47-44 victory over Three Lakes-Phelps (17-7). The sectional championship will be played at 7 p.m. Saturday in Pulaski.

Pacelli (21-4) is facing Almond-Bancroft (22-4) in the other sectional semifinal. Florence defeated Lena 53-44 in a Feb. 10 game played at Lena.

The WIAA state tournament will be played March 12-14 at the Resch Center in Green Bay.