The Appleton North defense surrounds a Kimberly player during Saturday's WIAA Division 1 boys basketball regional final at Appleton North High School. The Papermakers pulled off a 73-68 upset. (Photo by Greg Huenink)

Kimberly stuns Appleton North to win WIAA Division 1 boys basketball regional final

March 9, 2025 plecker

AppletonSportsPage.com

APPLETON – Seeding tends not to matter much when conference foes collide in the WIAA boys basketball playoffs and that held true Saturday night.

No. 13 seed Kimberly, fresh off a 20-point upset win at No. 4 Holmen on Friday, produced another stunner as it downed No. 5 Appleton North 73-68 in a WIAA Division 1 boys basketball regional final at Appleton North High School.

Alex Krause hit four 3-pointers and scored 23 points to lift the Papermakers (12-13) into sectionals.

Kimberly will take on another familiar foe, Fox Valley Association champion Kaukauna (23-3), in a Division 1 sectional semifinal at a site to be determined on Thursday. The winner will play for a sectional championship and a berth in next week’s state tournament in Madison on Saturday, March 15, at Stevens Point.

Nathan Ramus scored 27 points and freshman Matt Rosplochowski kicked in 15 points for Appleton North, which finish the season with an 18-8 record.

Papermakers 73, Lightning 68
Kimberly 32 41 – 73
Appleton North 31 37 – 68
KIMBERLY (73): Aaron Cullen 8, Michael Wildes 14, Aydne Lom 3, Landen Van Offeren 9, Kegan Pleau 9, Alex Krause 23, Ben Grabner 7. Record: 12-13.
APPLETON NORTH (68): Will Sweeney 12, Matt Rosplochowski 15, Sam Kuehl 0, Nathan Ramus 27, Grant Hardy 5, Abraham Tomori 9, Ben Zdzieblowski 0. Record: 18-8.