GREEN BAY, Wis. — Rice Lake got a quick introduction to state-level play, but the Warriors already are looking to build on their experience.

Making its first appearance in the Wisconsin girls state high school basketball tournament, Rice Lake fell behind early against top-seeded Madison Edgewood and dropped a 52-30 decision in the Division 2 semifinals Friday afternoon.

“I think that it’s just been an incredible honor to be the first team from Rice Lake to come and experience the state,” coach Darla Olson said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the effort our kids showed, and that they just played really hard. I thought that we had a great defensive effort. Unfortunately, we struggled scoring the ball, but it wasn’t due to lack of effort.”

Edgewood, the defending Division 3 state champ, won its 28th consecutive game since a 68-66 loss in the season opener to Division 1 entrant Hartland Arrowhead. The Crusaders advanced to Saturday’s title game against second-seeded Wauwatosa East (28-1), a 71-58 winner over West De Pere in the other semifinal.

Rice Lake (23-6), the No. 4 seed, struggled offensively early and never got untracked. The cold-shooting Warriors fell behind by double digits midway through the first half, hitting just 3 of their first 13 shots. Anna Miller’s layin put the Crusaders up 17-7 with just over nine minutes remaining.

Edgewood dominated the glass to that point, with 19 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards.

Makayla Foley’s 3-pointer put the Crusaders up 24-11, but the Warriors answered with six consecutive points, pulling within 24-17 when Adaline Sheplee scored down low.

The Crusaders closed with 7-2 run for a 31-19 halftime lead.

Edgewood maintained its double-digit lead throughout the second half. Addison Schmidt’s putback brought Rice Lake within 38-28 with 5:18 left, but the Crusaders were patiently able to run the clock until the Warriors were forced to foul.

Edgewood pushed the lead to 50-28 with a run that include eight points from the free-throw line.

“You knew going down the stretch, that they had the ball-handlers to spread the court,” Olson said. “And then you give them the extra five feet in the half court on top of it, it’s a really tough trap to set.”

Sheplee, a 6-3 junior guard, had 14 points for the Warriors but hit just 7 of 21 shots. Schmidt, a 6-2 sophomore center, had 13 points and 15 rebounds.

“It makes me excited for next year,” Sheplee said. “I love all of what we’ve accomplished this year. It’s been a lot of fun. Yeah, I’m excited.”

Rice Lake shot just 25.5%, hitting 14 of 55 shots, including 0 of 10 from beyond the arc. The Warriors were just 5 of 27 in the second half.

“We’re not a team that has traditionally shot a ton from the perimeter,” Olson said. “Coming in, we were able to shoot the ball well in the postseason. Today just wasn’t our day from that standpoint. If we could hit a couple of 3s, and open it up and pull them out to the perimeter, that would have given Addison a little more room to work inside.”

Miller had 22 points and no turnovers in 35 minutes for the Crusaders. Erin Schauer had 13 and Beanie Thompson, a 5-9 sophomore added 11 points and 15 rebounds against the taller Warriors

“Rice Lake is young, their talent is coming back,” Edgewood coach Lora Staveness said. “I remember our first team when we went in ’16, your eyes are wide open and there’s a lot going on. This will be a great experience for them and they will learn from it. I know they’ll be back next year because they are super-talented.”

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