3 Cyclones Earn WCC-East Division All-Conference

Three UW-Fox Valley men's basketball players were named to the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference (WCC) Eastern Division all-conference team released on Monday.  A day after the Cyclones claimed the 2011 WCC tournament championship at UW-Waukesha.

Jake Coenen (2nd year/Kimberly) was named to the 1st team.  Coenen led the Cyclones in scoring this season, was 2nd in assists, and 2nd in charges taken.

"Jake had a tremendous season and was very deserving of this honor," commented Cyclone head coach Lee Rabas.  "All year long he made plays when we needed them on both ends of the floor.  His defense was equally as impressive as his offense, and his unselfish attitude exemplified what our program is all about."

Phil Landua (2nd year/Kaukauna) earned a spot on the 2nd team.  Landua has been a dynamic defensive player, capable scorer, and dependable rebounder for the Cyclones over the past two seasons.  

Rabas had this to say about the 6-3 foward, "Phil can change a game in so many ways, and many times in ways that don't always show up on a normal stat sheet, but they do on ours.  He has had a terrific career here at Fox, and has set a standard for defensive toughness and intensity.  I'm very happy that he received this honor."

Coenen and Landua were the leaders of a UW-Fox Valley men's squad that completed the greatest season in school history this past Sunday, when they defeated UW-Waukesha to win the school's first WCC Championship since 1993.  The two players along with Joe Dachelet (Menasha) and Kyle Bloedow (Little Chute) finish their careers with a 48-7 record.  The best two year record of any group in Cyclone history.

The third Cyclone to earn all-conference honors was Beau Reshel (1st year/Hortonville), who was named honorable mention all-conference.  The 6-1 guard started every game for UW-Fox, and developed into a consistent scorer in the second half of the season.  According to Rabas, "Beau's athleticism and scoring ability were a huge asset for us all  season.  He hit two big three-point field goals in Sunday's championship win."

Cyclone head coach Lee Rabas was once again named WCC-Eastern Division coach of the year.  He claimed the same honor last season after leading the Cyclones to a 22-6 record in his first season at the helm.

UW-Fox Claims WCC Championship!

The UW-Fox men's basketball team defeated UW-Waukesha 64-59 on Sunday to capture the school's first Wisconsin Collegiate Conference championship since 1993.  The Cyclone men finish the season with a 26-1 overall record.

As has been the case all year for the Cyclone men different guys stepped up to make plays when they were needed.  Travis Puyleart scored 18 points (4/5 shooting from 3) and Lucas Schultz 10 to lead the UW-Fox men.  Both players come off the bench. 

Jake Coenen scored 9 points and was the first Cyclone player to log 40 minutes this season.  "I just didn't think we could bring him off the floor," said UW-Fox head coach Lee Rabas.  Coenen held Cougar scoring threat Matt Vraney to single digits on the day.  

Phil Landua closed out his stellar career by scoring 6 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.  Landua and Coenen, along with Joe Dachelet and Kyle Bloedow, close out perhaps the most successful 2 year careers in school history as they finish a combined 48-7 in that time span. 

UW-Fox shot 9/20 from three-point range and got stops on defense when they needed to in the final minute.  Korey Jagiello took a charge with just under 30 seconds remaining, and full-court pressure forced a Cougar turnover with 5.4 seconds remaining, and the Cyclones nursing a 3 point lead.  

Lucas Schultz stepped to the line with 3.8 seconds left and calmly drained two free-throws that provided the final scoring margin.  Christian Krah's two free-throws with 5.4 seconds left gave UW-Fox the 3 point lead and allowed them to set up the full-court pressure that would force the decisive turnover.

The game capped off an amazing season for the UW-Fox men.  It was the most successful one in school history, which dates back to its first season of competitive men's basketball in 1969-70.  

Rabas summed up his feelings on the season afterward, "We had a tremendous group of coaches and players.  When you have a group of people who love doing something, are willing to sacrifice, and are completely unselfish it is amazing what can be achieved and accomplished.  Life lessons that transcend the court!"

Cyclones Advance to WCC Championship Game

(UW-Waukesha)  The UW-Fox Valley men's basketball team defeated UW-Rock 91-55 in a Wisconsin Collegiate Conference tournament semi-final game at UW-Waukesha.  The Cyclone men jumped out to an early double digit lead at 16-4, and maintained it through much of the first half.  UW-Fox would push the lead to 16 and 18 on a couple of occasions, but the Rattlers responded to all of those runs, including a 4-0 run in the last 30 seconds, that cut the Cyclone lead to 45-33 at intermission.

UW-Fox Valley slowing pulled away in the second half by tightening up their defense and shooting 55% from the floor.  A Lucas Schultz basket with just under 10 minutes remaining gave the Cyclones a 63-42 lead.  A 17-9 run over the next 5 minutes would push the lead to 80-51.  Travis Puyleart scored 10 points during the decisive run.

The Cyclones had six players finish in double figures led by Puyleart and Jake Coenen with 14.  Korey Jagiello chipped in with 13 points, Phil Landua had 11, and Lucas Schultz 10.  Joe Dachelet recorded a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

With the win the UW-Fox men run their record to 25-1.  The Cyclone men will play host UW-Waukesha, a 65-60 winner over UW-Marathon, in the WCC Tournament Championship game Sunday at 2pm.

UW-Fox Advances to WCC Semi-Finals

The Cyclone men defeated UW-Sheboygan 82-60 in a Wisconsin Collegiate Conference quarter-final match up on Wednesday evening in the UW-Fox Fieldhouse.  With the win the men advance to play UW-Rock at 5pm on Saturday February 26th at UW-Waukesha in the first WCC Semi-final.  UW-Waukesha will play UW-Marathon in the second semi-final at 7pm.  The championship game will be held on Sunday at 2pm.
 
UW-Fox was led by Jake Coenen (Kimberly) who scored 21 points on the night.  Phil Landua (Kaukauna) had 17 to go with his outstanding defensive effort, Beau Reshel (Hortonville) added 14, and Lucas Schultz (Appleton West) came off the bench to score 12 points and grab 6 rebounds.  Joe Dachelet (Menasha) rounded out the Cyclone attack with 8 points and 8 rebounds.  
 
With the win the UW-Fox men run their season record to 24-1.
 
Half-time score:  38-30
 
UW-Fox shot 48.6% from the floor.  Forced 15 turnovers.  Held Wombats to only 7 offensive rebounds.

Cyclones Defeat UW-Marshfield

(Marshfield, WI) The UW-Fox Valley Men’s Basketball defeated UW-Marshfield 77-58 on Wednesday night to run their season record to 22-1.  The Cyclones opened up a 36-20 half-time lead on the strength of their defense, which forced 11 Marauder turnovers.  UW-Fox was able to convert several into easy baskets, and the Cyclones balance was on display in the opening half, as nine players got in the scoring column.

In the second half Christian Krah (Bayport) hit a three point field goal on the opening possession to push the lead to 19 points.  The Cyclones hit on 7 of 11 three-point field goals in the second half, and 11/25 for the game.  The torrid shooting helped the Cyclones open up several 20 plus point leads in the second half, and the Marauders would get no closer than 17 points the rest of the way.

Jake Coenen (Kimberly) led a balanced Cyclone attack with 17 points, including 5 three-point field goals.  Beau Reshel (Hortonville) chipped in with 11, and Phil Landua (Kaukauna) finished with 8 points and a team high 9 rebounds.  Korey Jagiello (New London) was a perfect 4/4 from the floor for 9 points.

The UW-Fox men close out their regular season on Saturday February 12th with a WCC-East division game at UW-Fond du Lac.  Game time is set for 3pm.

UW-Fox Upends UW-Marathon

The UW-Fox Valley men's basketball team upended WCC West leader UW-Marathon 82-54 on Friday night at the UW-Fox Fieldhouse in Menasha.  With the win the Cyclones ran their overall record to 20-1.  It is the first time the Cyclone men's program has posted back to back 20 win seasons since 1992-93 and 1993-94.

Beau Reshel and Jake Coenen combined for 21 first half points, and the Cyclones shot 50% in the opening half, to dart out to a 43-29 lead.  The UW-Fox defense forced the Huskies into 12 first half turnovers.

The Cyclones cranked up the defense in the opening minutes of the second half.  Forcing the host Huskies into several turnovers and rushed shots.

UW-Fox Head Coach Lee Rabas had high praise for 2nd year player Phil Landua.  "Phil's deflections and hustle plays in the opening minutes of the second half really served as a catalyst for us and got us going after they had the early 3-point play.  His play early on really set the tone for the rest of the game."

UW-Fox pushed the lead to 59-36 on a bucket by Mike Fitzgerald with 12:36 left to play.  Fitzgerald finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds to go along with a strong defensive outing of his own.

Jake Coenen led four Cyclones in double figures with 15 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and no turnovers.  Beau Reshel contributed 14 points, Landua chipped in with 11 points and 4 steals, and Lucas Schultz added 10 for UW-Fox.

The Cyclones close out their regular season home schedule on Monday night with a non-conference game against UW-Rock at 7:30pm.  Four sophomore players will be honored before the start of the game.

UW-Waukesha (January 31, 2011)

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UW-Fox Men Earn First WCC East Title Since 1993!

The UW-Fox Valley men's basketball team defeated UW-Waukesha 81-68 on Monday night to run their WCC-East record to 10-1, 19-1 overall.  With the win the Cyclone men earned their first conference championship since 1993, when National League Umpire Gerry Davis headed the program.

The Cyclone men got off to a quick start with their defense.  The Cyclones held the Cougars to only 13 points over the first 15 minutes of the first half, and 36% field goal shooting for the half.

Christian Krah (Bayport) and Joe Dachelet (Menasha) ignited the Cyclone offense in the first half, which saw the Cyclones shoot 52% from the field.  Both players hit all 3 of their field goals and both scored 8 points.  Phil Landua (Kaukauna) and Mike Fitzgerald (Xavier) netted 7 and 6 points respectively in the first half. 

The Cougars made several runs in the second half, fueled by the penetration and shooting of Milwaukee Vincent grad Sylvester Bracken, who led UW-Waukesha with 22 points.  However, they would never get closer than 10 points. 

Beau Reshel (Hortonville) scored lay-ups on back to back possessions, and buried a 3 late in the game as the shot clock expired, to push the Cyclone lead back to 15.  Lucas Schultz' (Appleton West) transition lay-up with under a minute sealed the Cyclones first Championship in 18 years.

Phil Landua led UW-Fox with 18 points and 9 rebounds, while Joe Dachelet finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds.  Reshel, Krah, and Schultz rounded out the Cyclones double digit scorers with 15, 11 and 10 points respectively.

UW-Fox will host UW-Marathon on Friday night at 8pm in the UW-Fox Valley Fieldhouse.