It was a matchup of FVA teams in the sectional finals with a trip to the state tournament on the line between Appleton North facing off against Kaukauna. The two teams had split their earlier games during the regular season.

After Kaukauna was able to jump out to a 6-0 start in this game behind a pair of Andrew Jensen baskets, it was tight throughout following. While Kaukauna got a massive performance from Jensen who led all with 30 points, Appleton North got contributions from their senior trio of Will Sweeney, Grant Hardy, and Nathan Ramus as well to sophomore Matthew Rosplochowski. Ramus came up key in the final minutes scoring on three straight plays to break a tie and help Appleton North win it 58-53 and make their first trip to Madison in program history.

Grant Hardy – 2026 – G/F – Appleton North

Whether it was with his distributing, outside shooting, versatile defense, handling the ball, Hardy is a complete player who made a ton of plays in this win. He made several great passes in the game to collect 5 assists. This included a pair of assists on back-to-back plays on cuts zipping it right past defenders in the final two and half minutes to get his team up 4. His big plays also resulted in grabbing a key rebound with less than thirty seconds to play and then connecting on the pair of free throws in an one and one situation to go up 5. As well in the game Hardy hit a pair of threes. Hardy is committed to Winona State.

Andrew Jensen – 2026 – F/C – Kaukauna

The DePaul commit finished his high school performance with a star performance scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds. He scored it exceptionally well in the post all game including 10 points in the first eight minutes of action as well to 7 points in just the final 2 minutes doing everything he could to win it. At 6’9” combined with his strength and athleticism, he just could not be stopped when get the ball posting up on the low block as he scored it on an extremely high percentage of his post touches. Jensen is also a very tough big man to double as he passes it so well out of the post finding shooters. While he has a great ability to be a true rim protector, he also showed his quickness for his size jumping the passing lanes on the perimeter for a steal and turning it into a dunk in transition.

Nathan Ramus – 2026 – PG – Appleton North

While Ramus had a solid game, he really turned it up a level over the final two and half minutes of action. This included where he scored baskets on three straight possessions. This started with baskets on back-to-back cutting plays and was followed by a strong drive through contact. This key sequence of plays to help Appleton North advance. In the game, the Northern Michigan commit also showed his good ability to plays strong with the ball and create for others with 4 assists as well to hitting a three and his incredibly tough on ball defensive play.

Matthew Rosplochowski – 2028 – SG – Appleton North

The sophomore turned in a big performance in this sectional final victory as he led Appleton North with 18 points. He just could not be stopped in the first half where he scored 13 points getting it done both with his shooting and attacking. The guard hit a pair of threes in the half while also maneuvering well through traffic getting to the basket and finishing with contact. Rosplochowski also showed his athleticism and defensive ability with 3 blocks in the game. This included one in the final seconds on the perimeter on a game tying three-point attempt.

Will Sweeney – 2026 – PG – Appleton North

Sweeney made a ton of plays throughout in this win. This included scoring 12 points, dishing out 3 assists, and his high energy defensive which included taking a charge. As well to being able to run the point, Sweeney showed his shooting ability with a pair of threes including one from welly beyond the arc. His plays also came in the final minute from the free throw line going a perfect 4-4. With 38 seconds to play, he connected on a pair to go up 3 and then hit another pair with 1.4 seconds to go up 5 and end the game.