Pewaukee girls basketball advances to state tournament

Pewaukee outlasts Hartford in sectional final to reach WIAA state tournament for fifth time

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Pewaukee High School girls basketball team defeated Hartford 67-58 in the WIAA sectional final on Saturday, March 7, 2026, to advance to the state tournament. Pewaukee guard Vanessa Johnson led the team with a strong performance, cutting down the net after the victory. The win marks Pewaukee's fifth trip to the state tournament.

Why it matters

Reaching the state tournament is a major accomplishment for any high school basketball team, showcasing their hard work, talent, and dedication throughout the season. For Pewaukee, this marks their fifth time making it to state, demonstrating the program's consistent excellence and ability to compete at the highest level in Wisconsin.

The details

In the sectional final, Pewaukee was led by strong performances from several players, including guard Vanessa Johnson, who cut down the net after the victory. The game was a close battle, with Pewaukee outlasting Hartford by a score of 67-58. Pewaukee's defense and ability to make key shots down the stretch proved to be the difference in the hard-fought contest.

  • The sectional final game was played on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Vanessa Johnson

A Pewaukee guard who led her team to victory in the sectional final, cutting down the net after the game.

Kylie Pieper

A Pewaukee guard who made key contributions in the sectional final win.

Giselle Janowski

A Pewaukee guard who played a crucial role in the team's sectional final victory.

Bella Klages

A Hartford guard who competed hard against Pewaukee in the sectional final.

Regan Resheske

A Hartford guard who was a key player for her team in the sectional final matchup.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Pewaukee will now advance to the WIAA girls basketball state tournament, where they will compete against the other top teams in Wisconsin for the state championship.

The takeaway

Pewaukee's girls basketball program has demonstrated its ability to consistently reach the state tournament, a testament to the team's hard work, talent, and dedication. This latest sectional final victory showcases the program's continued excellence and its ability to compete at the highest level in Wisconsin high school basketball.