Photo Credit - WIAA
It’s been 80 long years since the Reedsville Panthers boys basketball team celebrated a trip to state and a championship, and when Bryson De Cleene secured a rebound, and the clock at The Kohl Center struck zero, Panther Nation erupted in one loud cheer of affirmation that was eight decades in the making as Reedville defeated Southwestern 56 to 48 Saturday afternoon in The WIAA Division Five state basketball championship game in Madison.
It was a high-scoring first half with the Panthers enjoying a 35- 33 halftime lead.
The script flipped in the second half as both teams struggled to score, combining for 14 points over the first 7 minutes and 55 seconds of the second half.
Leading 42 to 38, Reedsville relied on seniors Arden Strenn and Ben Prochow to carry them offensively while clamping down even more on the defensive end to keep the Wildcats at bay.
Free throws down the stretch sealed the win for Reedsville, as the community celebrates their first boys state basketball title in 80 years (1946) and their third WIAA team title in the history of the school (1946 boys basketball and 2021 football).
Arden Strenn finished his Reedsville career with a game-high 20 points and 14 rebounds. Ben Prochnow, Reedsville’s all-time leading scorer and the 2026 Big East North Division Player of the Year, added 19 points and 8 assists in his final game in a Panther uniform, and Will Taddy chipped in 9 points.
Southwestern was led by Aiden Kelherer, Remi Lawrence, and Cayden DeMuth, who all scored 13 points apiece.
Reedsville finishes its championship season with a record of 28 and 3, while Southwestern finishes the season with a record of 23 and 8.
