Garret Dalinghaus

For the first time in eight years the Frankfort boys’ basketball team has earned a spot at the state tournament after claiming the Class 1A Marysville Sub-State Saturday with a 62-59 win over Beloit-St. John/Tipton.

It wasn’t any easy road for the Wildcats who needed a buzzer-beater to take down Valley Falls in the semifinals before holding on for a 3-point victory over the Blujays in another thriller.

Through Frankfort’s postseason run to this point one player has been a consistent force and a leader on both ends of the floor in senior Garret Dalinghaus who has led the Wildcats in scoring through the five postseason games.

He is averaging just under 12 points per game in the playoffs and delivered his best performance in the sub-state championship win over St. John where he scored 19 points including a 5-of-6 effort from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to ice the game away.

On the year he is averaging just under 13 points per game along with pulling down six rebounds a night while shooting 10-of-13 from the charity stripe in the two sub-state wins.

Dalinghaus also takes the task of guarding the opposing team’s best player each night out and last season even earned himself a spot in the all-Twin Valley League second team.

He will now look to lead the Cats to their ever state championship as Frankfort will open their tournament run against St. John Hudson Wednesday afternoon at 4:45 with live coverage on 92.1 KMZA.