Pewaukee boys basketball relied heavily on their three pillars of trust, playing hard and being a great teammate.
Pirates coach David Burkemper said he instilled the pillars when he got the job five years ago and was inspired by former University of Wisconsin men's basketball coach Dick Bennett, who had five pillars when Burkemper played for him.
"It's just a way that no matter what type of game you're in, you can always come back to the idea that we have to play hard," Burkemper said.
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Pewaukee's emphasis on playing hard is centered around closing out and being in the gaps of passing lanes on defense. Burkemper said being a great teammate is enjoying each other's success both on and off the court.
The pillar of trust focuses on the coaching staff and ensuring that they always have the team's best interest in mind.Â
"I think these two guys (Nick Janowski and Milan Momcilovic) while being superstars in the high school game personified that," Burkemper said. "They have brought a level of play to their teammates through our three pillars."
Pewaukee's Nick Janowski celebrates after defeating Nicolet in the WIAA Division 2 semifinals Friday at the Kohl Center. Former Badgers player David Burkemper, who played for Dick Bennett, has adapted his own pillars for Janowski and the Panthers.
The Pirates (22-3) hope to capture their third straight Division 2 state championship after beating Nioclet 58-56 in the first semifinal. Pewaukee trailed 54-51 with 2 minutes left before scoring the next seven points to take the lead.
Iowa State commit and co-Mr. Basketball Milan Momcilovic hit a layup and finished the three-point play. He then hit a hook shot and added two free throws to take a 58-54 lead.
UW target Davion Hannah made a second-chance layup to cut the deficit and his 3-pointer as time expired fell short.
Last year, Pewaukee had an additional pillar of legacy which they're looking to build upon this year.
"Last year we had legacy which was the group that left a legacy and it was up to these guys to go out and improve it," Burkemper said.
Pewaukee's warmups stand for their three pillars, which were influenced by former UW coach Dick Bennett, who coaches Panthers coach David Burkemper.
Pewaukee coach David Burkemper looks at the crowd during Friday's WIAA Division 2 semifinal game against Nicolet at the Kohl Center. Burkemper played for the Badgers and coach Dick Bennett.
Samantha Madar's favorite Wisconsin men's basketball regular-season photos
Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) blocks the shot of Maryland Terrapins guard Jahmir Young (1) in the first half at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.Â
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl is introduced before Tuesday's game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl attempts to shoot as Michigan State center Carson Cooper puts his hands in Crowl’s face during the second half of the Badgers' 69-65 loss to the Spartans on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn’s (23) shoulder hits Michigan State Spartans guard Tre Holloman (5) in the face in the first half of the game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin's bench celebrates after the Badgers made three 3-pointers in a row against Rutgers during the second half of the Scarlet Knights' 58-57 win over the Badgers on Saturday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Davis (2) reacts as he stands next to forward Steven Crowl (22) in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit goes in for a hook shot against Purdue center Zach Edey March 2 at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) looks back in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian goes in for a layup against Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi during the second half of the Badgers' 58-57 loss to the Scarlet Knights on Feb. 18, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished the game with two points on 0-for-10 shooting from the field.Â
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn attempts to pass the ball against the Penn State Tuesday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers, including guard Kamari McGee (4), guard Max Klesmit (11), forward Carter Gilmore (14), forward Steven Crowl (22), guard Chucky Hepburn (23), forward Tyler Wahl (5) sing Varsity after their victory over Minnesota Golden Gophers 63-60 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin forwards Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl smile as "Varsity" plays after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions Tuesday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn makes his entrance onto the court before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions Tuesday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) smiles during the second half of the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) looks to pass the ball Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) in the second half of the game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) is introduced before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian dunks the ball in the first half of the Badgers' 64-59 victory over the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl shoots the ball against Michigan center Hunter Dickinson, left, and forward Will Tschetter in the first half of the Badgers' 64-59 victory over the Wolverines on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee celebrates in the second half of the Badgers' 64-59 victory over the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
The Wisconsin student section celebrates the first shot made against Michigan in the first half of the Badgers' 64-59 victory over the Wolverines on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) takes the court before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard yells at his players during the first half of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights' 58-57 win over the Badgers on Saturday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) dunks the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) shoots the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) runs onto the court before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard yells at players to sub in the game in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) is introduced before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) shoots the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half at the Kohl Center on Thursday.Â
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots against Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi during the second half of the Badgers' 58-57 loss to the Scarlet Knights on Feb. 18 at the Kohl Center. Essegian finished the game with two points on 0-for-10 shooting from the field.Â
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl walks to the bench after picking up a foul during the second half of the Badgers' 61-51 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn drives to the basket against Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. during the second half of the Badgers' 61-51 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn talks with head coach Greg Gard during the second half of the Badgers' 61-51 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore reacts after the Badgers caught up to the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots during the first half of the Badgers' 61-51 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
UW guard Max Klesmit drives for a loose ball against Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. during the first half of Saturday's 61-51 loss at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore goes up for a dunk as time expires in the Badgers' 63-60 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit fights for the loose ball against Minnesota forward Jaden Henley during the first half of the Badgers' 63-60 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn steals the ball from Minnesota guard Ta'Lon Cooper during the second half of the Badgers' 63-60 win over the Golden Gophers on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
Wisconsin's Steven Crowl shoots over Michigan State center Mady Sissoko during the first half of the Badgers' 69-65 loss to the Spartans on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore grabs a rebound during the first half of the Badgers' 77-66 win over the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian sticks his tongue out after making a 3-pointer in the second half of the Badgers' 63-60 win over Penn State on Jan. 17, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished with 10 points in the win.Â
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl throws down his second dunk of the game during the second half of the Badgers' 77-66 win over the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.Â
A 3-time state champion has a Wisconsin men’s basketball offer. What’s next?
