NOTRE DAME BASKETBALL

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2022

GIRLS WIAA DIVISION 2

2021

GIRLS WIAA DIVISION 2

2014

GIRLS WIAA DIVISION 2

2013

GIRLS WIAA DIVISION 2

2001

GIRLS WIAA DIVISION 2

1990

BOYS WISAA

CLASS A (PENNINGS)

1982

BOYS WISAA

PREMONTRE

1957

BOYS WISAA

(PENNINGS)

1956

BOYS WISAA

(ST. NORBERT)

1951

BOYS WISAA

(ST. NORBERT)

1939

BOYS WISAA

(ST. NORBERT)

1937

BOYS WISAA

(ST. NORBERT)

1936

BOYS WISAA

(ST. NORBERT)

The Historic Legacy of Notre Dame Academy Basketball

The basketball programs at Notre Dame Academy (NDA) High School  in Green Bay, Wisconsin, carry a rich legacy that spans from historical consolidations to modern-day powerhouse status in the Fox River Classic Conference (FRCC). While the school itself was formed in 1990 by the consolidation of three historic local Catholic institutions—all-girls St. Joseph Academy and all-boys Abbot Pennings and Our Lady of Premontre High Schools— the modern Tritons have built their success on a deep historical foundation. Today, that history is headlined by a dominant girls' dynasty and a legendary history of boys' teams slaying giants.

Girls Basketball: A Modern Wisconsin Dynasty

The Notre Dame girls' basketball program is widely recognized as a gold standard of excellence across the state. The Tritons have captured six WIAA Division 2 State Championships (2001, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023) and stand as one of only six programs in Wisconsin high school history to pull off a "three-peat" by winning three consecutive state titles (2021–2023).

• The 2001 Undefeated Run: Long before their recent title runs, the program established dominance under former head coach Mark Olejniczak, highlighted by a legendary 2000-01 team that went a perfect 27-0.

• The Sara Rohde Era: Head Coach Sara Rohde has elevated the Tritons into a perennial powerhouse. Rohde, who eclipsed her 300th career coaching win in 2025, has been named the Associated Press Wisconsin Coach of the Year three times. Under her guidance, the Tritons won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 before stringing together the historic 2021–2023 three-peat. During that 2023 championship run, NDA shattered WIAA Division 2 tournament records for most points scored (140) and most assists (37).

• Conference Dominance & Jump to Division 1: The program holds five FRCC conference titles, including a staggering 68-game conference winning streak that stretched from February 2020 until late 2024. Seeking new challenges, the Tritons bumped up to Division 1 for postseason play, capturing the FRCC title again and fighting all the way to the WIAA Division 1 State Semifinal.
  

Boys Basketball: Chasing the Peak and Slaying Giants

While the boys' basketball team hasn't mirrored the gold-ball frequency of the girls' program, they boast a proud history deeply rooted in Green Bay sports lore.

• The Pre-Consolidation Legacy (WISAA): Before consolidating into Notre Dame Academy, the predecessor schools found immense success in the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association (WISAA). Abbot Pennings (which operated as St. Norbert High until 1959) claimed state titles in 1936, 1937, 1939, 1951, 1956, and 1957.

• The Modern Growth & Recent Milestones: Under current head coach AJ Bobinski, the modern Triton boys' program has reached new competitive heights. The team recently achieved back-to-back WIAA Regional Championships and secured back-to-back 20-win seasons—a first in modern school history. They tied the program record with 21 total wins and 15 conference wins, driving a deep postseason run into the sectional finals.

The Ultimate David vs. Goliath Run: Abbot Pennings (1990)

The final and absolute crown jewel of the pre-merger boys' basketball legacy occurred in March 1990. It was the final basketball season in the history of the Abbot Pennings Squires before the high school merged. The tiny all-boys school, with an enrollment hovering around just 200 students, embarked on a legendary postseason run in WISAA Class A—the division reserved for the largest private schools in the state. To win it all, the underdog Squires had to navigate a gauntlet of future basketball royalty:

Slaying Future NBA Stars

Before they could even reach the final, Pennings had to battle through future NBA talent. They neutralized Racine St. Catherine's and their towering 7-foot-1 future NBA center Jim McIlvaine. They also outlasted Kenosha St. Joseph, who was powered by future NBA All-Star and Slam Dunk Contest champion Nick Van Exel.

Towering Dominance: Kevin Rankin’s Final Stand

In the state championship game at the Milwaukee Arena, the Abbot Pennings Squires faced the ultimate Goliath: Milwaukee Marquette University High School. Marquette was ranked No. 22 nationally and featured a lineup packed with four future NCAA Division I recruits, headlined by 6-foot-8 forward Damon Key (who went on to star for the Marquette University Golden Eagles and lead them to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1994).

Abbot Pennings' 6-foot-11 center, Kevin Rankin, was completely unbothered by the powerhouse roster. He turned the state tournament into his personal showcase, pouring in 26 points in the title game to systematically dismantle Marquette's front line. Rankin finished his high school career with 1,026 varsity points before playing in the Big Ten for Northwestern, eventually earning a 2016 induction into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

"The Shot": Joey Herzog’s Buzzer-Beater

Despite Rankin's dominance, Pennings trailed by two points with only seven seconds remaining in overtime. Senior guard Joey Herzog had endured a brutal night on the floor, going 0-for-7 on field-goal attempts.

As Marquette's defense collapsed inside to choke out Rankin, teammate Tom Benkowski kicked a desperate pass out to the left wing. Herzog caught the ball well beyond NBA three-point range. With just two seconds showing on the clock, Herzog rose with absolute icewater in his veins. The ball ripped cleanly through the net as time expired, delivering a stunning 49-48 overtime victory. It sent "Pennings Nation" into a state of total madness, ensuring the Squires went out as champions in the final game the school ever played.

Historical Overview at a Glance

NDA Girls: 6 WIAA Titles: 2001, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023

Sara Rohde (300+ wins); 27-0 undefeated season (2001); 68-game conference win streak; WIAA D2 State Tournament scoring record.

NDA Boys: 1 WISAA Title as Premontre: 1982; 7 WISAA Titles as Pennings/St. Norbert: '36, '37, '39, '51, '56, '57, '90

1982 Premontre was the first Green Bay school to win a boys' state title; 1990 Pennings won the final game in school history with an overtime buzzer-beater against nationally ranked Milwaukee Marquette.