SPECIAL DELIVERY: Dramatic win sends Elk Mound boys to state

SOMERSET — Elk Mound senior Kamron Diermeier had never scored a game-winning basket in his life.

That all changed in a significant way when Diermeier connected on his team's biggest shot of the boys basketball season Saturday afternoon.

Diermeier converted on a driving, spinning and floating 8-footer in the final seconds to boost the Mounders to a dramatic 54-52 win over upset-minded Amery.

The last-second victory in the Division 3 sectional final sends Elk Mound to the state tournament for the first time in 11 years.

"I knew time was running out and we needed a basket. I had to make a play and fortunately the shot went in," Diermeier said immediately following the game. "This is just surreal. Every kid dreams of that moment. All the hard work I've put in paid off."

"That was super clutch," Mounders coach Dennis Arneson said. "The play got busted up, but Kam made the best of it. That was huge. Kam really came through and hit a big shot."

Elk Mound (24-4) now advances to play in the state tournament on Thursday at the Kohl Center in Madison.

The Mounders will compete in a state basketball tournament for the second straight week. Elk Mound played in the girls state tournament last Thursday in Green Bay.

Amery, led by 19 points from talented sophomore Keaton Wollan, finished 21-8 overall.

Elk Mound trailed 8-0 to start the game Saturday inside a packed and steamy gymnasium at Somerset High School. The Mounders closed within a point midway through the first half before the Warriors had an answer.

Amery extended to a 36-23 lead early in the second half on back-to-back baskets by Wollan. A frustrated Arneson quickly called a full timeout.

"We switched to a zone defense and that helped," Arneson said. "At halftime, we talked about chipping away at their lead. We knew we had to rebound better and we did in the second half."

With their season in danger of ending, Mounders senior Cale Knutson and junior Victor Noller delivered.

Knutson drained a pair of 3-pointers while Noller converted three times from close range as Elk Mound embarked on a pivotal 12-0 run.

Knutson's triple gave his team a 48-41 lead with 6:48 left.

"A lot of our games this year, we've had to battle back," Knutson said. "We just had to lock in defensively and focus on each possession. We were able to keep our composure and come back."

Suddenly down by seven, Amery fought back and eventually evened the game 50-50 on a drive by Wollan.

Diermeier, quiet most of the game offensively, then found a seam and drove in to bank home a layup. That put the Mounders up 52-50 with 1:24 left.

"We just kept fighting," Elk Mound senior Logan Jerome said. "This team never quits, no matter what."

Wollan and Amery responded once again to tie it. Wollan's steal and drive knotted the game at 52-all with 38 seconds remaining in the contest.

Elk Mound then prepared to take the final shot. The Mounders worked the clock down before the left-handed Diermeier darted in the lane. He then spun before knocking down his clutch shot that proved to be the game-winner.

Elk Mound fans stormed the court following the medal ceremony to celebrate the school's second state tournament berth of the month.

This will be the fourth trip to state for the Elk Mound boys. They previously made it in 1987, 1994 and 2014. Noller added 13 points for the Mounders.

Jerome flashed a smile when asked about Diermeier's late-game heroics.

"That was an incredible shot, and Kam didn't even play last year. I had to convince him to come back this season," Jerome said. "He came back and he showed up for us."

Knutson, who finished with a game-high 23 points, was in awe of what Diermeier did in the final seconds.

"I had 100 percent trust and confidence in Kam driving the ball in that situation," Knutson said. "He made an amazing play."

Arneson was asked how it sounded when it was announced that Elk Mound was going to the state tournament.

"That sounds amazing," he said with a smile. "It's absolutely amazing. I am so proud of our entire group.

"We've been in so many close games all year. We are battle tested in those close ones. We just have that grit and you saw it again in this game."

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