WAC Boys Basketball Regional Semifinals: Here’s How It Went

West Allis Central Boys Basketball continued its dominant 2025-26 season with a commanding performance in the regional semifinals, defeating Racine Horlick 76-43 on March 6 and advancing to the Regional Finals.

The West Allis Central Bulldogs set the tone early, controlling the pace of the game with aggressive defense and efficient scoring. By the end of the first half, West Allis Central had already built a comfortable lead, making it difficult for Racine Horlick to respond. Central’s defense strategy, which emphasized quick rotations and pressure on the ball handler, forced turnovers and created easy transition opportunities.

One of the standout moments came on the defensive end, as a key block from Max Jones energized the team and shifted momentum in West Allis Central’s favor. That play sparked a run that helped the Bulldogs take full control of the game. The team’s combination of experience and athleticism allowed them to dominate on both ends of the court, creating separation early and maintaining it throughout the game. 

The team’s offense of the West Allis Central Bulldogs relied on a balanced scoring attack. Junior Isaiah Fox led the team with 21 points, while fellow junior Max Jones added 16. Caiden Alland-Davis also contributed, continuing a strong trio alongside Jones and Fox that has been impactful since their freshmen year. Their chemistry and experience showed throughout the game, allowing the Bulldogs to execute efficiently and take high-percentage shots. 

This season has not come without challenges for the Bulldogs. After facing adversity and losing a key player Yusef Gray Jr., earlier in the year, the team has continued to exceed expectations. The win over Racine Horlick is another example of their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Their performance reinforces their status as one of the top teams in the state this season.

“Overall, the West Allis Central Bulldogs did a fantastic job in the game specifically #32 Kevin Pittman played very well on defense especially with his blocks and very good passes which allowed him to score 10 points,” said Jorge Sotelo Sanchez, a spectator. “I also think #34 Caiden Alland-Davis also did a good job maintaining possession of the ball and communicating with his fellow teammates. West Allis Central really dominated the game before the first half ended. The team had the ability and talent to play good together even without their key star player Yusef Gray Jr. In my opinion, I wouldn’t change anything about this game because they had good coordination and they won.”

Senior Kevin Pittman added 10 points, providing additional scoring depth and making 3 slam dunks in a game. The West Allis Central Bulldogs relied on shooting and inside drives, keeping Racine Horlick off-balance. The Bulldogs moved the ball well, recording assists and turnovers that could have allowed Horlick to stay close. Pittman continues to draw attention from scouts, although he has not yet announced his next step. His presence, along with contributions from the rest of the roster, and the depth of the West Allis Central team.

While Racine Horlick showed effort early, they struggled to maintain consistency as the game progressed. West Allis Central’s defensive pressure and scoring runs in the second half created separation, preventing Racine Horlick from regaining momentum. 

Racine Horlick finished the game shooting 30.2% from the field and just 15.4% from 3-point range, showing their offensive struggles. Junior Avery Holliman led Horlick with 18 points on 7-9 shooting, while fellow senior Cameron Jones added 13 points despite shooting 5-of-19 points. As a team, Racine Horlick committed 17 turnovers, which limited their ability to keep pace.

“One player that really stood out to me was #1 Max Jones, specifically when he intercepted an opponent’s pass, stole the ball and made a one-handed dunk,” said Thalia Perez, a West Allis Central High School basketball fan. “I wasn’t expecting the interference and moments later he made another dunk which definitely made him stand out. The game was very entertaining and I wasn’t expecting the team to do so well since their star player was injured but they definitely didn’t let that stop them.”

With the victory over the rebels, West Allis Central keeps its playoff run alive and improves to 23-2 on the season. The most wins in a season in school history. As the Bulldogs head into the regional finals, their combination of experience, depth, and strong team chemistry will be the key moving forward.