Final thoughts on North boys

* The Golden Raiders shouldn't be too embarrassed about this one. Oshkosh West was clearly a superior team in every facet - size, experience and talent. West's Tim Jarmusz is a Wisconsin recruit at 6-7 and handles the ball extremely well. After watching him play just once, you can see why Bo Ryan wanted him. He's matchup nightmare, even at the college level. There aren't many 6-7 guards in college basketball, and he's a perfect fit for the swing offense. Badgers fans should expect to see him posting up quite a bit during the next four years.

* North finished the season very strong. After getting trounced by 20 points at home to Green Bay Preble late in the season, it didn't seem like the Raiders would be long for the playoffs. But they overcame their postseason nemesis Fond du Lac and beat two other quality Fox Valley Association opponents in Oshkosh North and Neenah, to earn their 17th sectional appearance under Tom Desotell and fifth in the last six years. As T.J. Kellner said, that will be the lasting memory of this 17-7 season, not the final game in Oshkosh.

* If I could grant North post man Tom Eirich one wish, it would be more help inside. North has plenty of firepower at guard in T.J. Kellner and Nolan Free. They could be one of the state's best backcourts. Tim Schwoerer adds a dimension with his driving ability, and Eirich constantly battling guys much bigger than him. Desotell challenges his big man a lot, but also acknowledges what he's usually up against. A big man could make next year's team truly special.

* And finally, a tip of the hat to North's seniors - Derek Duessing, Alex Jordan, Steven Lacy and Cory Dodge. All had moments to remember this season. What North fan will forget Duessing's shot at the end of regulation to send the Raiders to overtime in a game they eventually won at South? Or how about Jordan's fantastic game against Neenah Friday night? Lacy and Dodge weren't big names, but each had key baskets in the Neenah game and gave the Raiders some quality minutes. The class's points and rebounds weren't many, but their hard work and dedication to the program deserves a bow.

- Dave Lubach