They’re partying like it’s 1996 in Winfield, as WMU boys basketball earned its first trip to the State Tournament in nearly three decades. The Wolves held on in the Substate 5 finals to beat Holy Trinity Catholic 46-41 Saturday night in Fairfield. 

A pair of teams averaging more than 60 points per game had their respective defenses on display, with baskets hard to come by early. Still, the Wolves headed to the second quarter all square at 11, thanks to five from Gabe Hemsworth and six from Cam Buffington. Winfield-Mt. Union’s defense really shined in the second frame, holding the Crusaders to one field goal. The offense, meanwhile, stayed consistent to give the Wolves a 10-point lead at the break. 

Holy Trinity Catholic began the second half with a purpose, as their top scorer, Luke Hellige got a quick nine points in the third. A battle-tested Winfield team was unphased by the comeback-minded Crusaders. A pair of threes from Jake Edwards allowed the Wolves to keep pace and head to the final frame ahead by nine. 

Just one game removed from their own ten-point, fourth-quarter comeback, Winfield-Mt. Union nearly saw the Crusaders flip the script Saturday. A lead which was as many as 13 was cut to two late in the contest. It took a number of clutch stops and field goals from Buffington and Abram Edwards to keep separation. Despite going 2-7 from the line in the fourth quarter, Hemsworth and Buffington each hit one from the stripe in the final minute to seal the Wolves’ victory. Cam would lead all scorers with 18, followed by Jake Edwards with 11, nine from Hemsworth, and eight from Abram Edwards. 

The Class 1A Substate 5 Champion Wolves open the 2024 State Tournament against the Lynnville-Sully Hawks on all KCII signals and streams. The two square off in the State Quarterfinals on Monday, March 4 beginning with pregame coverage at 11:45 a.m. and opening tip at 12:15 p.m. from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.