SPASH fans cheer on Panthers to title game

MADISON –

Noel Winch wasn't going to let a little face paint get in the way of him getting a front-row seat as the Stevens Point Area Senior High boys basketball team made its first trip back to the WIAA state tournament since 1994 on Friday night.

Winch, 18, a senior at SPASH, was part of a boisterous contingent of students and fans who made the trek to the Kohl Center in Madison to support the Panthers, who defeated West Allis Central 63-39 in a Division 1 semifinal to reach Saturday's state championship.

Many fans like Winch lined up outside the Kohl Center over an hour before tip-off to get into the game, and a majority of the student section was dressed in red, white and blue. SPASH senior Haley Nemeth, 17, is one of the organizers of the student section and said Facebook is used to let people know what to wear for the game. The theme this game was the United States, and Nemeth wore pants and a large hat with a design of the American flag, along with a red, white and blue boa.

Along with an American flag headband and a Captain America shirt, Winch had painted his face in red, white and blue. The WIAA, however prohibits body paint at the tournament.

"I got to the door and I found out. I had to run back to a buddy's car and use some wet wipes to get it off," said Winch, who sported the slightest remnants of the paint on his face from his courtside seat in the SPASH student section. "I did it quickly, because I wasn't going to miss any of the game."

Nemeth said the theme for Saturday's game will be red and black, the main colors for SPASH.

Isaac Dopp, who graduated from SPASH last year and currently attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison, came to the game to play with the band.

"When I found out they were playing down here and that I didn't have any class or practice, I decided to come. It was fun to get to play with the group again for a game," said Dopp, who is studying music performance at UW-Madison.

After the final buzzer, fans quickly made their way to a practice gym in the Kohl Center to buy tickets for Saturday's game. Rob Klish was among them, along with a group of about 20, including his daughter Jessie Marshall and her 3-month-old son Zach.

"We're getting him started early," Klish joked. "We brought him last week for sectionals, and we're bringing him tomorrow. He's a good luck charm."

Asked about SPASH's chances on Saturday, Klish said he felt the Panthers would have a strong shot to win their first title since the 1994 season.

"I like our chances. I've watched the team play all year, and they seemed pretty confident tonight," Klish said.

Nathan Vine can be reached at 715-345-2252. Find him on Twitter as @SPJNathanVine.