Today is Friday, June 26, 2026
UW-Whitewater Women’s Basketball Tops UW-Eau Claire for Third WIAC Tournament Title to Punch Ticket to NCAA Tournament
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated UW-Eau Claire 71-62 Sunday to claim the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title for the third time in program history and secure the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. The Warhawks swept the league titles this season for the second time in program history (2018) after claiming a share of the regular season title.
The 2022 national runner-up will return to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 21st time in program history and seventh consecutive season. The complete tournament field including host sites will be announced during the 2023 NCAA Selection show scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 27 on NCAA.com.
Sunday’s championship in Kachel Gym was an afternoon thriller. With 7:46 on the clock in the first quarter, Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) knocked a three-pointer to give UWW a 5-2 lead. The Warhawks never trailed the rest of the way. A minute later Yssa Sto. Domingo (Streamwood, Ill./St. Edward) hit from deep. Maggie Trautsch (Sun Prairie, Wis./DeForest) continued to the barrage from long range to make it 11-6 five minutes in. Trautsch hit the final bucket of the first, knocking down another from beyond the arc to send UWW into the second quarter with an 18-13 lead.
The teams were even through the second, each registering 13 points, to maintain the three-point gap at the break.
A huge third quarter gave the Warhawks a cushion as UWW outscored the Blugolds 20-9 in the period. With 3:20 left, Carollo sparked a massive run powering up for a layup and knocking it down despite being fouled on the play. After adding the free throw, Carollo turned defense into offense swiping a steal and going the distance for a layin.
Abi Baumgartner (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) drained a jumper off to keep the run going. Following a UWEC free throw, Sto. Domingo hit another triple with 47 seconds left in the third. UWW drew another charge call on the defensive end, their fourth of the game to give the Warhawks a final possession in the period. As the third came to a close, Baumgartner hauled in an offensive board and found Trautsch for a baseline jumper to cap a 12-1 UWW run that opened up a 51-37 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
Back-to-back buckets for the Warhawks, a jumper from Carollo and another three-pointer by Sto. Domingo gave UWW its largest lead of the game, 17, with 4:48 to play. The Blugolds responded with a run that cut the gap to single digits, 66-57, with 1:31 remaining but the cushion held for the Warhawk win.
Carollo led all scorers with 24, including 16 in the second half. The sophomore guard drew 10 Blugold fouls in the game knocking down 9-12 from the free throw line. She added 12 rebounds for the double-double. Trautsch dropped in 14 with a pair of assists.
Baumgartner posted 12 points and nine rebounds in more than 35 minutes of action. Defensively, Baumgartner drew two of the teams four charges called against UWEC. Sto. Domingo was a perfect 3-3 from three-point range for nine points adding pair of assists and two steals.
Purple reigned on Championship Sunday as the Warhawk men’s basketball team defeated UW-Oshkosh on the road to claim their fifth tournament title and earn their spot in the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time in program history.
Photo courtesy of Olivia Zinanni
Angela Kelm Assistant
Athletic Director for Sports Information
The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team traveled to Racine Lutheran for the Regional Semifinal Game on Friday night, February 24. Racine Lutheran played a tight zone defense denying us open shots. We adjusted our offense and worked to get the ball inside. At the half, we were down 28-16.
Racine Lutheran came out on fire and our shots were not falling to start the second half, creating a bigger scoring gap. The second part of the half, we dug deep and fought hard with our defense forcing turnovers, which gave us a spark. Our offense started picking up, hitting our outside shots, but it was too big of a gap to overcome that late in the game, losing 45-62. We fought hard right to the very end and our post defense (Aidyn Amundson, Alex Martin, and Katie Gillette) did an amazing job containing Racine Lutheran’s 6’2 center.
Danielle DePorter led the Whippets with 15 points, all from 3-point range. Cali Kopecky scored 8 points and ripped down 11 rebounds. Katie Gillette also scored 8 and had 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Cali Grosinske added 6 points, 4 assists, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals. Kindyl Kilar scored 3 and had 5 rebounds.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
On Thursday afternoon, February 23, Lauren Buehler and Aaron Porras had the opportunity to complete in their first appearance at the Wisconsin State Individual Wrestling meet at the Kohl Center in Madison. This is a great accomplishment for each of these two competitors as it is not an easy path to get there.
Lauren started our afternoon at state on Thursday in a great way. She started off the match with a beautiful takedown and did not look back. Up 11-3 in the second period Lauren was able to secure a pin for herself advancing her to the quarterfinal round. In her next match she ran into a young lady who is a real hammer and ended up getting pinned by her. Lauren came back on Friday morning needing to secure two wins to make the podium. Unfortunately, this year was not in the cards for Lauren, and she was defeated in her wrestle back match. Both young ladies who had defeated Lauren did making the top 6; one placed 3rd and the other 6th, so at least Lauren knows she went toe to toe with two of the top 6 students at her weight class in the state. Lauren is a junior so this was a valuable experience for her as she enters the off season.
Aaron Porras wrestled his opponent very well going with his game plan but unfortunately got into a scramble and ended up on his back and was pinned. Aaron closed out a very nice career with a 37-11 record as a senior, conference champion, Regional champion, sectional runner up and state qualifier. He ended his career with 72 wins.
Congratulations to both Lauren and Aaron on a great season as well as to the entire team as they have now concluded the 2022-23 campaign. The awards banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in the high school cafeteria.
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
According to a story in the Daily Jefferson County Union, “Monday’s Whitewater High School basketball game versus Evansville was about much more than who won or who lost. Ricardo (Ricky) Lopez-Navejas Jr., a sophomore WHS basketball member, died unexpectedly Sunday.
“We were really wanting to cancel this evening, but the family said to go forward in his (Ricky’s) honor,” Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty said. A moment of silence was held before the games began Monday night. Basketball players wore shirts in memory of Ricky warming up before the game and on the sidelines….
Tears were shed, hugs were given, and Whitewater’s community came together to support one another Monday night after a devastating tragedy.”
Here’s the post that appeared on the high school Facebook page on Tuesday:
Teary eyes, full hearts. Last evening, Whitewater came together for Ricky. Your generosity was tremendously moving and raised almost $3000 for the family of Ricardo (Ricky) Lopez-Nivejas Jr. The stands and the gyms were packed; our community, students and staff grieved together, as a family.
So many Thank yous…
Thank you to Ricky’s family for having the intuition to know that this is what our school community needed.
Thank you to our community for your generosity.
Thank you to the students who helped to set up a beautiful memorial for Ricky.
Thank you to our coaches for ensuring our students were supported and could honor Ricky’s memory yesterday.
Thank you to Aropa Designs for printing the amazing turn around in T-shirts for our students.
Thank you to our counseling and pupil services staff that gave of themselves tirelessly to assure our students and staff were okay.
Thank you to our staff for supervising and supporting while also grieving.
Thank you to the administrative team who worked tirelessly to support everyone.
Thank you to Evansville Community School District for your understanding and sportsmanship.
During this difficult time, it was heartening to see everyone come together to support one another. We will continue to accept donations for the family at the HS office through Friday, February 24th. Thank you so much. 
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