The Kettle Moraine boys basketball team made its debut at the WIAA state tournament Friday night.
Former University of Wisconsin men’s basketball player Trevon Hughes won’t forget that moment or his return trip to the Kohl Center as the Lasers’ second-year coach.
“I told them, `Soak it all in,’ and that’s what they did,” Hughes said. “They lived in the moment. But they didn’t let the moment be too big for them. I thought coming in here that the lights would have been too bright. But they relished this. I told them, `We don’t know. This is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’ And they played like they’ve been here before.”
Top-seeded De Pere (29-0) pulled away for a 55-44 victory over Kettle Moraine (18-11) in a WIAA Division 1 semifinal Friday night at the Kohl Center.
“We fell short, but I had a great group of guys, especially led by my senior group,” Hughes said. They set the bar and raised it. It was a tough matchup with De Pere.”
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Hughes, a 6-foot-1 point guard, played from 2006-10 at UW for former Badgers coach Bo Ryan. He played in 31 games on the 2006-07 UW team that finished 30-6, averaged 11.2 points while starting 34 of 35 games for the 31-5 team in 2007-08, averaged 12.1 points as a starter for the 20-13 team in 2008-09 and averaged 15.3 points for the 2009-10 team that finished 24-9.
“It felt good,” he said about his return to the Kohl Center. “I kid you not. I was like I was on vacation and came back – and I came back with a bunch of kids. It was such a surreal feeling when I stepped on the court. … (The team was) like, `Have you played here?’ (I said), `Yeah, 19,000 (spectators).’ I wish it was that packed tonight.
“The energy was there. I just felt like I belonged. I hope it’s not the first and last time making a state appearance.”
Hughes, who was born in Queens, New York, played high school basketball at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield and played professionally overseas after college.
Kettle Moraine coach Trevon Hughes watches his players during the game against De Pere in Friday's WIAA Division 1 semifinals at the Kohl Center. Hughes played at UW from 2016-10.
Lasers junior point guard Drew Wagner said it’s been great to learn from Hughes, the former Badgers’ point guard.
“I can’t thank him enough, because I feel everything we’ve learned comes from him,” said Wagner, who scored nine points for the Lasers.
The matchup was a difficult one for Kettle Moraine.
“You could tell they were battled-tested,” Hughes said about the Redbirds. “A 29-0 record. It’s well-proven.”
De Pere’s lineup featured senior guard John Kinziger, who shared the Mr. Basketball Award this season with Pewaukee’s Milan Momcilovic; 6-foot-8 junior forward Will Hornseth; sophomore guard Zach Kinziger; and senior guard Hogan Demovsky, son of Rob Demovsky, the ESPN NFL Nation Packers reporter.
Hornseth had 19 points and eight rebounds, while John Kinziger added 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Brian Pritzl, father of former University of Wisconsin men’s basketball player Brevin Pritzl, is one of the assistants on De Pere coach Brian Winchester’s staff.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A 3-time state champion has a Wisconsin men’s basketball offer. What’s next?
