It took 40 years, but the Oregon Panthers made it back to state in girls basketball. Unfortunately, the Panthers never took the floor at the Resch Center, with the WIAA Tournament Series cancelled hours before Oregon's state semifinal.
Like everyone else in Wisconsin, coach Adam Wamsley got the news around 11 p.m. Thursday night in Green Bay. Oregon's season, as well as 55 other teams still active in the boys and girls state tournaments in basketball, would end with a win.
Wamsley couldn't remember specifically what he told his team, but reminded all of them that he, as well as the coaches, were there for the players.
On the bus ride home, Wamsley recounts being stoic as the "leader of the team" as the Panthers made the trek back on Highway 151, but said that the tears starting flowing when they arrived back at Oregon High School to a welcome back party put together by one of the assistant coaches for the Panthers' boys basketball program.
Oregon finished the season as sectional champs for the first time in four decades.
You can listen to the full conversation below with Coach Wamsley: