High school basketball: No. 8 Wisconsin Lutheran caps unbeaten season with three-peat championship victory

Northern Iowa signee Zavier Zens leads the way with 20 points, helping the Vikings finish 30-0.

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Mar 21, 2026, 8:30pm
Ranked No. 8 nationally by MaxPreps, Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee) captured its third consecutive Wisconsin state championship Saturday night, defeating Madison Memorial (Madison) 57-37 in the Division 1 title game at Kohl Center in Madison.  

Wisconsin Lutheran (30-0) trailed 22-20 at the half before storming back, dominating the second half en route to its 40th consecutive victory. 

Northern Iowa signee Zavier Zens finished the game with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. He shot 8 of 9 from the floor and connected on all four of his attempts from behind the arc.
Wisconsin Lutheran joins a short list of teams that have won three straight WIAA championships. (FILE PHOTO: Mandy McGlothlin)
Wisconsin Lutheran joins a short list of teams that have won three straight WIAA championships. (FILE PHOTO: Mandy McGlothlin)
Zens, who helped Wisconsin Lutheran go 111-7 during his four-year career, was named Mr. Basketball by the WBCA. He is the first cousin of Charlotte Hornets star Kon Knueppel, who was the 2024 Mr. Basketball award-winner.  

Kon's brother Kager Knueppel contributed 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks Saturday for head coach Ryan Walz, a finalist for MaxPreps National Coach of the Year. 

Wisconsin Lutheran is just the 10th team in state history to win at least three straight state championships. 

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