Butternut Girls Toppled in Regional Semi-Final

The season came to a close Tuesday night in Laona, but not without a fight.

In WIAA Division 5 Regional Semi-Final action, Butternut traveled south to take on the Laona-Wabeno Rebels, knowing they would have to weather both an intense defensive battle and a raucous home crowd. From the opening tip, it was clear points would come at a premium.

Both teams dug in defensively, contesting every pass and every shot. The Rebels’ physical presence began to show as the first half unfolded, and despite a determined effort by the Midgets, Laona-Wabeno carried a 19-7 lead into the locker room.

Butternut’s defense was good enough to win on most nights. The Midgets battled on the boards, challenged shots, and forced tough possessions. But offensively, they could never quite find their rhythm. Laona-Wabeno’s size, strength, and depth disrupted Butternut’s flow all evening, forcing turnovers and hurried shots. The Midgets managed just 16 percent shooting from the field, and each defensive stop that could have sparked a rally was undone by missed opportunities on the other end.

Early in the second half, the Rebels delivered the decisive blow. Four straight three-pointers stretched the lead and opened the game up for good. From there, Laona-Wabeno cruised to a 48-20 victory.

Still, the young Midgets never stopped competing.

Senior Caitlynn Bebeau, playing in her final game in a Butternut uniform, turned in a gritty, all-around performance. She led the team with 9 points, pulled down 8 rebounds, dished out an assist, grabbed 2 steals, and swatted away 4 shots. It was a fitting effort for the team’s lone senior — all heart, all hustle, to the final buzzer.

“It was a great effort,” said Coach Troy Scherwinski. “We could match them in talent, but they had a definite advantage in size, strength, depth, and experience. We never gave up. I’m proud of our effort, and our season.”

Butternut closes the year with an impressive 17-9 record. While the regional run ended sooner than hoped, the fight, growth, and resilience shown by this young squad promise that the future remains bright for the Midgets.