March 2015

They charged hard, like bulls being released in the streets of Spain.

Senior center Ian Hokanson played arguably the most inspired basketball of his Middleton career. Sophomore guard Storm Murphy dazzled for stretches. The rest of the Cardinals played with passion, heart and desire.

Unfortunately for Middleton’s boys basketball team, it came too late.

The Cardinals battled back from a 15-point point deficit and pulled within one on a pair of occasions late Tuesday night. But host Madison East held on and toppled Middleton, 56-53, in a WIAA Division 1 regional final played in front of a sellout crowd.

The Purgolders defeated the Cardinals for a third time this season and improved to 18-6. Middleton finished the year 17-7.

The game was supposed to be played last Saturday night. But following the fatal shooting of Tony Robinson in a nearby neighborhood Friday night, the game was moved to Tuesday.

There were no delusions of grandeur. No talk of a state championships.

Instead, Middleton’s girls gymnastics team was thrilled to be at last Friday’s WIAA Division 1 state meet at Wisconsin Rapids High School. Anything more was now gravy.

Well, the Cardinals got themselves one giant serving — surprising many and finishing fifth at the state meet.

Arrowhead won the team title with a 148.3333 team score. Franklin’s combined team was second (146.4667) and Mukwonago’s combined team was third (144.167).

Middleton posted a 138.1667 score, just behind fourth place Brookfield East/Central (138.7333).

“Going into the meet on Friday we didn't talk much about where we expected to end up in the standings,” Middleton senior Lucy Bergenthal said. “So finishing fifth was a huge accomplishment for us.”

Cardinals standout sophomore Madeline Pflasterer-Jennerjohn agreed.

There were nerves, anxieties and tension.

That’s what happens when the overwhelming majority of your team has never played in a postseason game.

But when Middleton’s boys basketball team found its sea legs last Friday, it looked like the group that surprised foes all season long.

Middleton trailed visiting Madison La Follette, 26-25, at halftime of its WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinal. But the Cardinals played a terrific second half and pulled away for a 63-44 win.

Middleton, the No. 5 seed in the sectional, improved to 17-6. La Follette, which was seeded 12^th, ended the year 10-13.

“This was the first tournament experience for a lot of our guys,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “And there were some uncharacteristic things our guys did early.

“But we played really well in the second half, and it gives you a good, genuine feeling. It really validates your season. For us that was the pressure game.”

Their scores might not be what they’ve been in past seasons.

But really, no one is complaining.

Middleton’s girls gymnastics team has returned to its March home — the WIAA Division 1 state tournament.

The Cardinals won the Middleton Sectional last Saturday, with a 137.525 team score. Madison Memorial was second at 136.450 and also qualified for state, while Verona/Madison Edgewood was third (135.6750).

“Our sectional was a close, grueling race that kept everyone on their toes,” Middleton coach Kari Steck said. “It definitely was not our best meet, but that's something that is not uncommon for sectionals. The pressure the girls put on themselves is so intense.”

The Cardinals qualified for state for the 19^th time in school history. Middleton also earned a fourth straight trip to state and eighth appearance in the last nine years.