Fox Valley Association

Neenah captured its fourth WIAA state boys basketball championship and first since 1978 with a 64-52 win over Brookfield Central on March 19 in Madison. The Rockets became just the second team in state history to win 29 games in a season, finishing with a 29-1 overall record and winning their final 27 games of the season.

Neenah used a 12-0 run during the first half to build a 28-14 lead and led by at least five points the rest of the way. The Rockets had four players in double figures, led by Chevalier Emery’s 19 points. Carter Thomas had 15 points and J.J. Paider added 14 points and 18 rebounds. Brady Corso finished with 10 points. Paider set a Division 1 tournament record with 32 rebounds in two games.

The Rockets reached the title game with a 60-52 win over Racine Case in the semifinals. Neenah also won state titles in 1930, 1975 and 1978, and was making its record 28th appearance in the state tournament. It marked the school’s 37th state championship in all sports and second this school year, joining the girls tennis team.